June 2017_CEO Newsletter

CEO’s
Corner
GRAND VALLEY POWER ú EMPOWERING LIVES WITH HOMETOWN SERVICE JUNE 2017
Cooperatives: Built to Serve
by Tom Walch | CEO
We seek to find new and better ways
to serve our members and communities. This
is one of the guiding principles recently identified
and adopted by our Grand Valley Power
team. Our cooperative business model is designed
to help us follow through on this pledge.
Our core purpose and mission is to provide
safe, reliable and affordable power to our members.
As a cooperative, we are motivated by
more than just profits. Earnings above our annual
expenses are invested into the cooperative
and the wider community. We depend on the
guidance and perspective of our members and
board to help set priorities for our business and
guide governance decisions. Our board of directors
is comprised of members who live and
work in our service area. This puts them in position
to know where investments are most needed.
Grand Valley Power’s board believes that
the best thing that we can do for our community
is to support the education of future generations
of our cooperative’s members. That’s why we
participate in Washington, DC Youth Tour and
take local high

school students to the nation’s capital to meet
with lawmakers, enabling students to learn
firsthand how our democracy works. We provide
valuable leadership lessons closer to home
as well, with our sponsorship of Colorado’s Cooperative
Youth Camp, held every summer near
Steamboat Springs. We understand the importance
of education. We support local elementary
and middle school students with contributions
to the expansion of the John
McConnell Math and Science Center. Our linemen
host one of the most popular exhibits at
the annual Mesa County Safety Fair. Our robust
scholarship programs boost graduating high
school seniors in our service territory. And our
financial support of Western Colorado Community
College and Colorado Mesa University help
these local institutions of higher learning thrive.
The support that we provide for these
programs if funded by unclaimed capital credits.
It’s difficult to picture a better use of this money.
We are putting it to work here at home,
where it can benefit all our members. Our efforts
in the field of education help us with the challenging
task of passing on our rural roots and
values to our children and grandchildren. These
efforts will help ensure that our area enjoys a
bright future. The way I see it, that’s a great
way to serve our members and communities!
Palisade is hosting the ever-popular, palisade
bluegrass and roots festival from June 9th to June
11th, 2017.
This year’s lineup is certain to bring travelers and
locals together from across the country, with
sought after bands including SHEL, Jeff Austin
Band and Keller & The Keels to name a few. You
can see the full line-up for each day, ticket information
and
Locations, as well as vendors at
palisademusic.com.
*Leave the pets at home during this one though!

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