As we get closer to Thanksgiving, there are many things I think of that I can be thankful for – my family, health and the great people I work with. When I think of the Co-op, I am thankful for the great value the Co-op brings me as a member, and as an employee. One value of the Co-op I am especially proud and appreciative of is the Co-op’s support of our veterans.

The Co-op has a special affinity for veterans. Perhaps because we are both so closely aligned in outlook, focusing on service, mission and country. Maybe it’s because a number of veterans come from our communities and return to their hometowns following active duty. Or, maybe it’s due to the shared work ethic of teamwork, cooperation and a “get it done” attitude. 

Here at PVREA, we support our veterans in many ways. We led a strategic initiative to hire veterans into our workforce, and I’m proud to say 10 percent of our workforce are veterans, including one employee who currently serves in the National Guard. We are grateful to have veterans within our ranks, and we are proud to serve veterans and their families within our local community. The Co-op also understands the importance of supporting the resources provided to our men and women who have worn the uniform; we donate time and resources to organizations such as The Northern Colorado Veteran Resource Center and Marine Corps Toys for Tots.

PVREA’s employees also have a heart for serving those who have served our country. PVREA employee Ken McCoy volunteers with Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, an organization who uses the sport of fly fishing for therapeutic outdoor recreation for disabled veterans. Employees at the Co-op team up with our local Lions Club and students to place flags on our campus for notable days throughout the year, such as Memorial Day, Independence Day, and upcoming Veterans Day on November 11.

At a national level, we are among the more than 900 electric co-ops across the country to support the “Serve our Co-ops; Serve Our Country” program, a nationwide initiative aimed at employing and honoring veterans, military service members and their spouses. This program came with a great vision of forming a national coalition with the shared goal of hiring veterans into co-op jobs across rural and suburban America and setting them up for success in their local communities. 

As part of a co-op veteran outreach effort, America’s electric cooperatives worked together to establish a national employee resource group, Veterans in Energy. The group provides transition, retention and professional development support to military veterans working in the energy industry. 

As we approach Veterans Day, I want to thank all those who have worn the uniform. This day has special significance for me as my father is an Army Veteran who served during the Vietnam War and my grandfather was a Navy Veteran who was deployed overseas in the Pacific Theater during World War II.   

I encourage you to thank the people you know—or don’t know for that matter—who have worn the uniform and served this country in the military. We all owe our veterans sincere gratitude for preserving and defending our great nation.  

Jeff Wadsworth
President & CEO