2012 BOARD NOMINEES – SOUTH REGION - CoBank

2012 BOARD NOMINEES – SOUTH REGION
Candidates for One-Year Term, One-Stockholder-One-Vote Seat
GEORGE B. KITCHENS
Nominated by the CoBank
Nominating Committee
Decatur, Alabama
Age: 58*
25700 Alabama Highway 24
Trinity, AL 35673
256-552-2314
gkitchens@jwemc.org
Present Occupation
n General Manager and CEO, Joe Wheeler
EMC, an electric distribution cooperative
Education
n B.S., Accounting, Mississippi State University
n Associate of Arts, East Mississippi
Junior College
n Harvard Business School, Effective
Management Training Program
n Numerous rural electric seminars, and
leadership and utility rate making courses
Business Experience
n Chairman: Alabama Rural Electric
Association, a trade association
n Executive Committee Member, Non-Voting
Board Member and Immediate Past Chairman:
Tennessee Valley Public Power Association,
a 155 member regional electric distribution
association and advocacy group
n Director, Secretary Treasurer: Seven
States Power Corporation, a power
generation cooperative
n Director, Former Chairman: North Alabama
Public Power Association, community owned
electric utility service organization
n Director, Former Chairman: North Alabama
Industrial Development Association, an
economic development organization
n Member: Tennessee Valley Authority –
Regional Resource Stewardship Council, an
advisory council to the TVA on the agency’s
stewardship activities
n Director: United Utility Supply Cooperative, a
manufacturer and distributor of products for
utility needs
n Director: Morgan County Economic
Development Association
n Former Member: Tennessee Valley Authority
Integrated Resource Plan – Stakeholder
Review Committee
Career Accomplishments
n As GM for Joe Wheeler EMC, helped grow
revenue from $79 million in 2001 to $145
million in 2011
n Long-term debt to total assets ratio has
declined from 63.66 percent in 2001 to
37.69 percent in 2011; increased member
equity to national average
Civic and Personal Interests
n Church elder
n Fundraiser, Supporter: Relay for Life
n Family
Candidate Statement
About six years ago, the bank considered me for
one of the board appointed director positions.
Since that time, I have had an interest in serving
on the board. Agribusiness and the rural electric,
telephone and water organizations are the
foundations for success in rural America. It is my
hope that through serving on the CoBank board I
could make positive contributions to the continued
success of CoBank and the markets and members
that it serves. I would consider it an honor to serve
the people of rural America and this region as a
member of the CoBank board.
ROBERT “CHIP” W. LEAVITT, JR.
*Ages as of January 1, 2012
Nominated by the CoBank
Nominating Committee
Sunset Beach, North Carolina
Age: 59*
P.O. Box 826
Shallotte, NC 28459
910-540-2029
chip.leavitt@bemc.org
Present Occupation
n CEO of Brunswick Electric Membership
Corporation, the 33rd largest rural electric
cooperative in the U.S.
Education
n B.S., Business Administration,
East Carolina University
n MBA, University of North Carolina
Business Experience
n Director, Past President: North Carolina
Electric Membership Corporation, a power
generation and transmission cooperative
n Director: North Carolina Association of
Electric Cooperatives, a provider of trade
association services to 26 co-ops
n Director: GreenCo Solutions, Inc., a
statewide group to help co-ops define and
meet energy efficiency and renewable
energy goals
n CEO: Rural Consumer Services Corporation,
a $10 million rural economic development
organization
n Chairman: Brunswick Novant Medical
Center, a full-service health care facility
n Former Member: CoBank Rural America
Leadership Council
n Former Chairman: EMC Technology, LLC,
a statewide supplier of technology and
telecom services for co-ops
n Former Chairman, Executive Committee:
Diversified Energy LLC, a propane supplier
Career Accomplishments
n Manage 7th fastest growing co-op in the
nation, growing from $154 million in
2000 to $400 million in 2011
n Led a $20 million mitigation project with
FEMA and the local governments
n Successfully led BEMC through a bond
rating process, receiving an A rating
n Implemented operational metrics and
activity-based costing management tools
n Achieving consistent high ratings for co-op
member and employee satisfaction
Civic and Personal Interests
n Health care
n Community economic development
n Education and youth activities
Candidate Statement
Future growth and development of rural resources
and infrastructure will be determined by the
availability of capital. CoBank’s opportunity to
be the “lender of choice” will be challenged by
a highly regulated environment requiring sound
performance, operational efficiency and solid
financial management.
As corporations continue to be scrutinized by
the public and regulatory agencies, a working
knowledge of enterprise risk and governance
responsibility has become imperative for
board members. In my role as CEO of a rural
cooperative and president of NCEMC, a statewide
power generation and transmission cooperative, I
have worked with outside counsel, management,
board members and rating agencies to develop
and implement standards of self-governance that
create a climate of transparency. As a CoBank
board member, I would share this knowledge and
experience to support management and serve
CoBank members.

2012 BOARD NOMINEES – SOUTH REGION
Candidates for Four-Year Term, Modified Equity Seat
ROBERT M. BEHR
Nominated by the CoBank
Nominating Committee
Lakeland, Florida
Age: 57*
P.O. Box 1111
Lake Wales, FL 33859
863-687-6989
bsbehr@aol.com
Present Occupation
n Chief Operating Officer, Citrus World
Inc., a federated cooperative representing
over 1,100 Florida citrus growers, that
produces and markets Florida’s Natural
brand citrus juices
Education
n B.S., Economics, University of Arizona
n PhD, Agricultural Economics,
University of Florida
Business Experience
n Member, Board Director, Former
Chairman: Juice Products Association
n Member, Board Director, Former
Chairman: Florida Citrus Processors
Association
n Former Commissioner (Board Director):
Florida Department of Citrus
n Former Member & Director: New York
Board of Trade
n Former Economics/Market Research
Director: Florida Department of Citrus
n Former Manager Economics, Market
Research: American Crystal Sugar
n Former Product Development Manager:
Coffee, Sugar & Cocoa Exchange
n Former Economist: Chase Econometrics
Career Accomplishments
n Helped push operational and marketing
changes at Citrus World Inc., that had
significant impact on operating results
and member proceeds
n Served in governor-appointed post as
Florida Citrus Commissioner
Civic and Personal Interests
n Member: Temple Emanuel
n Board of Governors: Grasslands
Country Club
n Advisory Board: Community
Southern Bank
n In my spare time I enjoy golfing, biking
and reading
Candidate Statement
I would like the opportunity to participate
in the furtherance of the CoBank mission
that is “…to serve as a dependable
provider of credit and other value-added
financial services to agriculture and rural
infrastructure businesses for the benefit of
rural America.” In this regard, I believe my
educational and professional background is
well-suited to support the role of the CoBank
board. This would also be a great learning
opportunity, and offer a forum to interact/
discuss/problem-solve with a diverse group
of agricultural and cooperative leaders.
STEVEN A. HARMON
CEO, H2 Business Solutions, LLC,
a consulting company
Education
Nominated by the CoBank
Nominating Committee
Greenville, Alabama
Age: 49*
430 Independent Street
Greenville, AL 36037
334-382-1565
stevenaharmon@gmail.com
n B.S., Business Administration,
Bryan College
n MBA, Auburn University
Business Experience
n Consultant: Camellia Communications,
Inc., a telecommunications company
n Second Vice President: Greenville
Chamber of Commerce, a business
support organization
n Director: Dallas County Center for
Economic Development
n Director: Butler County Committee for
Economic Development
n Management positions at
Volunteer Energy Cooperative &
Harriman Utility Board
n Former Executive Vice President &
General Manager: Pioneer Electric
Cooperative
n Former Director: Alabama Rural Electric
Federal Credit Union
Career Accomplishments
n Power South Energy Coop - Served as
Chairman of the Corporate Planning/
Power Supply Committee and member of
the Finance and Audit Committee
n Restoring Pioneer Electric’s equity from
negative 19% to positive 12.5% within
six-year period as well as re-establishing
member trust and confidence
Civic and Personal Interests
n Member: Rotary International
n Member: First Baptist Church
n Director: Alabama Agribusiness Council
Candidate Statement
I am a highly self-motivated executive and a
cooperative power professional with years of
proven experience. My leadership abilities
have been honed over the years through
my community involvement, governmental
relations experience, sound business
principles and excellent interpersonal
skills. My experience, knowledge and
understanding of today’s financial
environment will support the mission,
growth and continued viability of CoBank.
*Ages as of January 1, 2012