APPA National Meeting - TMEPA Members Receive Multiple Awards

For Information: Tobias Sellier, 202.467.2927

Cleveland Utilities ReceivesNational Award for Community Service

 

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, June 9, 2015 — Cleveland Utilities in Cleveland, Tennessee, received an American Public Power Association Community Service Award at the association’s national conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This award recognizes "good neighbor" activities that demonstrate the commitment of the utility and its employees to the community.

The award reflects the commitment of Cleveland Utilities and its employees to serving the community through a variety of programs. This spirit of neighbors helping neighbors is exemplified by the utility’s Project Round Up program, which assists less fortunate members of the community. The program allows customers to round their bills up to the nearest dollar in support of the United Way of Bradley County for distribution to families facing difficulties paying their utility bills as well as housing and medical expenses. An impressive 84 percent of Cleveland’s customers participate in the program. Earlier this year, Cleveland Utilities employee volunteers also participated in building a Habitat for Humanity home, a housing ministry program that provides shelter and community growth for those in need. Finally, the utility supports a "Junior Achievement" program that offers a five-day course for students that focuses on budgeting, saving, investing, managing credit, and protecting personal finances.

Tullahoma Utilities Board Receives National Award for Community Service



MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, June 9, 2015 — Tullahoma Utilities Board (TUB) in Tullahoma, Tennessee, received an American Public Power Association Community Service Award at the association’s national conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This award recognizes "good neighbor" activities that demonstrate the commitment of the utility and its employees to the community.

The staff of TUB contributes to the local community in a variety of ways. Every year, the utility hosts four major community events: a Public Power Week celebration, a National Drinking Water Week celebration, a customer appreciation day, and the Tullahoma High School Football Tailgate Party. At the events, TUB serves free food, offers carnival-style games, and gives away a variety of prizes. The utility also sponsors an annual Lego League Competition that encourages students in the areas of science and technology and runs a Heart to Heart program, which helps fund customers with special needs throughout the year. In terms of charitable support, TUB employees participate in and organize events including the Walk to End Alzheimer’s and the American Cancer Society Walk. Employees also participate in various speaking engagements on a variety of utility-related topics before groups such as the Rotary and Kiwanis clubs.

Tullahoma Utilities Board General ManagerReceives National Service Award

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, June 9, 2015 — Brian Skelton, general manager of the Tullahoma Utilities Board (TUB) in Tullahoma, Tennessee, received an American Public Power Association Harold Kramer-John Preston Personal Service Award at the association’s national conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This award recognizes individuals for their service to the American Public Power Association. Skelton is one of three winners this year.

Skelton became general manager of TUB in 2006. He manages electricity, water, wastewater, cable television, internet, and telephone services. Under his leadership, Tullahoma installed fiber optics for homes and businesses and offers TV, high-speed internet, and phone service. This has attracted new industries to the community, yielding employment and tax benefits. Skelton has served on the APPA board, chaired the APPA membership committee, and served on committees for the Tennessee Municipal Electric Power Association, the Tennessee Valley Public Power Association, and Tennessee Fiber Optic Communities.
 

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The American Public Power Association represents not-for-profit, community-owned electric utilities that power homes, businesses, and streets in nearly 2,000 towns and cities, serving 48 million Americans. With no divided loyalties, these utilities are focused on a single mission — providing reliable electricity at a reasonable price, while protecting the environment. These public power utilities generate or buy electricity from diverse sources.