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RETIRING A LEGACY OF SERVICE
In October, Central Rural Electric Cooperative will bid farewell to a remarkable leader with a legacy woven into the cooperative’s history. Central’s board president, Carol Dvorak, will retire after 12 years of service on the board of trustees.
Her retirement celebrates a legacy of dedication and community service that began with her grandfather, one of Central’s founding members.
A FAMILY’S LEGACY
In the early 1930s, when the rural areas of Oklahoma were still without electricity, Herman Schroeder was among a group of local farmers who saw a need and the potential for change.
Understanding the importance of access to electricity in rural areas, Schroeder and nine other local farmers worked tirelessly to establish the cooperative and light up central Oklahoma.
“My grandpa would go and knock on
doors and emphasize to farmers the importance of electricity and that they could have light to do things like milk their cows,” Dvorak said. “He worked hard for the cooperative, and my mom would help by typing the applications.”
During Schroeder’s time on Central’s board, which lasted into the 60s, the cooperative grew from powering 141 farms and homes to more than 9,000 members.
“What stuck with me was how if you wanted to improve something, you worked hard to make it happen,” Dvorak said. “He didn’t wait for something to be done, he made it happen for so many rural families.”
These stories left a lasting impression on Dvorak, shaping her values and guiding her path back to where her grandfather started.
CONTINUING THE TRADITION
When she married her husband, Scott, they had the opportunity to
Herman Schroeder and other founding members breaking ground at Central Rural Electric Cooperative’s first headquarters.
work the original farmland where her grandfather first received electricity when he helped start Central.
Dvorak said, “While my husband was farming, he would say things like, ‘I figured out what your grandfather was doing to prevent soil erosion near the creek.’ It was like he knew my grandfather in a way I never did. It was a really special connection.”
Dvorak won Central’s district three trustee seat in 2012.
She said, “Hearing stories about my grandfather and watching my father start a rural water district and serve on a cooperative board, they had a huge impact on my decision to run for Central’s board.”
While Dvorak considered running for Central’s board, she spoke to Jim Williams who had replaced her grandfather’s seat.
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Carol Dvorak addressing members at the 2022 Chandler Kilowatts and Brats.
SEPTEMBER 2024
Central Board of Trustees:
Carol Dvorak, President (District 3)
James Wells, Vice President (District 6)
Greg Tytenicz, Secretary/Treasurer (District 2)
Randy Wedel (District 1)
Sid Sperry (District 4)
Ken Starks (District 5)
Randy Ethridge (District 7)
Sondra White - Interim Chief Executive Officer
Empowered Editors:
Jillianne Tebow - Vice President of Business Development and Marketing
Larry Mattox - Director of Communications
Kory Bowman - Marketing and Communications Specialist
Ivy Swan - Marketing and Communications Specialist
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Contact Us: editor@mycentral.coop 405-372-2884 | 800-375-2884 3305 S. Boomer Rd. | P.O. Box 1809 Stillwater, OK 74076
Notice: Central’s office will be closed Monday, September 2 to observe Labor Day.
CENTRAL’S CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP
Meet your interim CEO, Sondra White
In August, the Central board of trustees named current Chief Financial Officer, Sondra White, as interim CEO. White will serve in the position until a new CEO is appointed.
In August, after 25 years of service to Central, Hunter Robinson resigned to serve as CEO at Baldwin EMC in Summerdale, Alabama.
“Hunter’s transformative leadership has left Central in a great position for the future,” said Carol Dvorak, Central’s board president. “We have full confidence in Sondra’s leadership and Central’s team during this transition.”
still recall the pole number of her childhood home.
“I remember being so thankful seeing Central’s trucks come down our dirt roads during outages,” White said. “I’ve always respected the linemen and the work they do, and my appreciation has only grown while working at the cooperative.”
Sondra White, Central Interim CEO
White began her career with Central in 2018 as the business unit accountant. She became vice president of finance in 2019 and was named CFO earlier this year.
“Central has an amazing leadership team and experienced employees who are dedicated to the cooperative principles,” White said. “It has made my job as CFO incredibly rewarding, and I am honored to serve our members and employees during this transition period.”
White is a third-generation Central member. Growing up on Central’s lines in the Mulhall area, she can
White said that it is a priority to all of Central’s leadership that they preserve the quality of service and commitment to providing safe, affordable and reliable electricity to members.
“Sondra has helped improve our procedures and create financial strength for Central,” Dvorak said. “Her expertise, deep understanding of the cooperative’s values and dedication to our members will be invaluable as we move forward.”
White spent 22 years in the banking industry before starting her career at Central.
“It is so refreshing that the focus is not on profit but how to best serve our members,” White said.
Dvorak said the board of trustees does not have a strict timeline set for naming a new CEO and will take their time to find the right person. The board has hired an executive hiring firm to perform the nationwide search.
Central Rural Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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CONTINUED FROM FRONT
“He encouraged me to get more information and to learn about the board,” Dvorak said. “I became an Ambassador and served on the Central Community Foundation board and won the election when I ran for the board seat.”
CONTINUING THE LEGACY
Dvorak’s grandfather was the first president of Central’s board and signed the articles of incorporation which hang in the same room that she presides over as the current board president.
“Within cooperatives, boards are generally male-dominated,” Dvorak said. “Many peers would assume I was appointed because I was a woman. I’m glad that in the 12 years I’ve served, I’ve seen a shift of more women serving on boards at a national level.”
Developing Central’s subsidiary, Centranet, is something Dvorak considers a major accomplishment during her tenure.
“Prioritizing reliable and affordable electricity and internet for rural Oklahomans is so important,”
Dvorak said. “People that live in the country can’t be overlooked.”
Before she joined Central’s board, she called the office and inquired about the cooperative providing internet service. It’s something that became a priority for the cooperative during her tenure.
“I love that our members have access to Centranet,” Dvorak said. “I really believe in cooperatives, and what Central is doing for its members is amazing. The way we believe in service, service to our members, is incredible.”
After retiring from Central’s board, Dvorak plans to continue her involvement in the Perry area as a community liaison for Meridian Technology Center where she works as a connection to provide courses and trainings.
As Dvorak steps down from her role, the cooperative will continue to shine because of the legacy and leadership of a family that believes in the power of working together to create a brighter future.
HELP KEEP LINEMEN SAFE
Electric line workers rank 15th on the list of 25 most dangerous jobs in America. Help keep your electric cooperative’s linemen safe by knowing the electrical dangers and practicing safety.
Here are some safety tips you can follow to help keep our linemen safe:
⚠ Don’t drive distracted, use caution and reduce your speed when line crews are working on the roadside.
⚠ Don’t post signs on utility poles. Foreign objects can tear utility workers’ protective clothing, which is our linemen’s first line of protection from an electric shock.
⚠ Never plug a generator into a wall outlet in your home or garage. The power that back feeds into the electric line could electrocute a utility worker.
Be patient when the power goes out. Workers need to work efficiently and safely to restore power.
Learn more about electrical safety at safeelectricity.org.
Carol Dvorak attends Co-op Kids Day with three of her grandchildren.
SPEND A DAY IN ARCADIA
Located within Central’s service area, the best time to visit this beautiful town will be during the upcoming Route 66 Balloon Festival.
Soar high over the historic Route 66 as dozens of vendors and hot air balloons gather for the Route 66 Balloon Festival on September 20-22 in Arcadia.
In its first year, the festival will feature food trucks, local vendors and kites, and participants will have the opportunity for helicopter and tethered balloon rides.
The Midpoint Corridor Route 66 hot air balloon has been making its way along the midpoint corridor, the 100 miles of Route 66 between Oklahoma City and Tulsa, in preparation for the balloon festival.
Vendors will include Newman’s Firehouse BBQ, 365 Coffee
Company, Freezing Cow rolled ice cream and local artists.
The event will take place from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on September 20-22 and will be located in Arcadia near the Chicken Shack. $40 weekend passes and $20 day passes are available, with the option to purchase a $15 parking pass, festival t-shirts and commemorative pins.
Learn more about the Route 66 Balloon Festival on the event’s Facebook page or purchase tickets by scanning the QR code.
