“We learned the value of work.”
If some people were to say those words, they might ring a bit hollow. But when Annette Dickey says them, on the eve of her retirement after more than 32 years as an executive assistant at Community Electric Cooperative, the words resonate with authenticity and authority.
Dickey was speaking about the work ethic instilled in her and her siblings in their youth, when they assisted their parents with the management of rental property that the family owned near Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach.
“You didn’t get to sit around,” Dickey recalls. “There was always something to do. We cut grass, cleaned apartments, and if you weren’t helping around the house, there were always other apartments that needed attention.”
In the context of that experience, it’s hardly surprising that Dickey has worked long and ably as the right hand of CEC’s chief executive – first James Reynolds and now Steven Harmon – and as the cooperative’s key professional supporting the board of directors.
“I really like my job,” Dickey says. “I like being somebody’s go-to person. You don’t have to remind me or ask me – it’s done. That’s been my career – knowing where to and how to get things done and do it.”
CEC Board Chairman Jeannette Everett confirms Dickey’s self-assessment.
“When you first come on the board of CEC, Annette is your mentor and teacher,” Everett says. “Her organizational skills are outstanding. She takes pride in her role as executive assistant and keeps our board on task throughout the year. She is our ‘go to’ for our board certifications and meetings. We all look to her for just about anything we need. We are who we are because of Annette.”
More than 11 years into his tenure as CEC’s president and CEO, Harmon echoes Everett’s sentiments.
“From day one, Annette and I hit it off very well,” he says. “She’s more than an executive assistant; she helps me think strategically; she would tell me things and give me insight to help make decisions to improve, whether it involved the morale of the workforce or board relations or something else. She’s always had a knack for seeing things from a different perspective. She has been a huge help to me through the years in those ways. I don’t take that for granted; not everyone has the luxury of having that kind of support. I’m going to miss her dearly.”
Over the span of her career, Dickey navigated the huge evolution in technology and earned numerous certifications to hone her skills in a new work environment. She bid farewell to one CEO and helped a new one implement his vision. And she witnessed notable changes in the demographics and expectations of Community Electric’s members. As those changes were occurring, Dickey’s role expanded about seven years ago to include oversight of CEC’s benefits program. Her ability to assume those added responsibilities illustrates the commitment that Harmon says is one of the enduring measures of her career.
“Annette has always worked very hard to continue her professional development and education. She never wanted to get behind; she’s always been very proactive keeping her skills up to date and learning new things. She has never been complacent and always looks to improve her own career or the careers of others. She has a propensity to be proactive.”
With her January 3rd retirement date approaching, Dickey mostly looks forward to traveling with her husband – during the week – while reserving the weekends to spend time with the couple’s two granddaughters, both under the age of four. The Dickeys also have some kitchen renovations in mind, and they’re evaluating campers to determine what size will best suit their needs.
“We’ll be able to go camping and do some traveling. I’m looking forward to that. And the first thing I’m going to do is throw away my alarm clock!”
Once that day arrives, Dickey will leave behind her a standard for excellence and teamwork that is widely recognized.
“Annette is an outstanding CEC employee,” Everett says. “She makes herself available to any member to help answer any questions they may have or to direct them to the appropriate department. She is also the one that all of the employees look up to for any guidance or help in anything they need. An employee told me that she is her ‘CEC Aunt’ and will miss her terribly. She understands each of the seven cooperative principles but I would say that the seventh principle, Concern for the Community, is where she shines.”
Among the causes that Dickey holds most dear are battling Alzheimer’s disease and curing cancer, Harmon notes.
“Annette is a wonderful person to begin with, over and above her CEC responsibilities,” he says. “She is very active in her charitable work. Every year she participates in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. She was recognized for her contributions – not only those she solicited but her own participation. And most recently she’s been very active in helping the American Cancer Society. She has worked very hard to honor (late cancer victim) Brenda Mansfield, whom she worked together with for more than 30 years, and to keep Brenda’s memory alive.”
Everett sees many of the same qualities in Dickey.
“Her genuine love of her job and care and concern for all of her coworkers and our members is at the top of my list,” Everett says. “She is kind hearted, trustworthy, funny, loves her family and her community. Our friendship started the first day I walked into the CEC boardroom and to this day it is a friendship that I truly treasure. She will be missed immensely.”
Harmon describes Dickey’s retirement as “bittersweet.” Twice previously he was able to persuade her to delay retirement, but not this time. “I have asked her multiple times to rethink this and stay, but at the same time I could not be happier for her. She is a deserving person, and I wish her a wonderful, long and joyous retirement with her family and granddaughters. I wish her nothing but the best.”