Community Electric Cooperative Director Brian Jones recently received the Board Leadership Certificate from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) headquartered near Washington, D.C.  

The certificate recognizes individuals who continue their professional development after becoming a Credentialed Cooperative Director. Directors who attain the Board Leadership Certificate have completed 10 credits in advanced, issues-oriented courses. Jones has served as a CEC Director from Isle of Wight County since August of 2020. He has long been recognized for the passion and commitment he brings as a member of the CEC Board of Directors.

“As long as I’ve seen him fill this role, Brian has shown a deep concern for and a strong connection with Community Electric’s member-owners,” CEC Board Chairman Jeannette Everett said. “It’s of great credit to him that he has invested the time and effort to earn this certificate of leadership, and I applaud him for doing so. Community Electric’s governance is the stronger for it.”

An ever-changing business environment has imposed new demands on electric cooperative directors, requiring increased knowledge of changes in the electric utility business, new governance skills and a solid knowledge of the cooperative principles and business model. Electric co-ops in Virginia have a commitment to work through NRECA to sharpen this body of knowledge for the benefit of their member-owners.

Three other CEC directors have earned leadership certificates from NRECA: Everett in 2006, John Stewart in 2017, and Chad Fowler in 2020. NRECA represents the nation's more than 900 private, consumer-owned electric cooperatives, which provide electric service to more than 42 million people in 47 states.