Board Trustee Danny Watters Earns Director Gold Credential

By Brianna Wall | Editor & Creative Director

OEC's board of trustees proudly serves OEC's 43,000 members on a regular basis. In order to do so responsibly, the nine-member board must be educated about the electric industry and the cooperative business model. Achieving the Director Gold Credential means the recipient has undergone a series of courses and training programs — both very sizeable time commitments — so they can take part in ensuring the co-op is run effectively and to the members' best interests. Danny Watters of Newcastle — OEC district 7 — is the latest board trustee to earn the Director Gold Credential.

I am proud to be able to represent the good people of Tuttle, Newcastle and Bridge Creek on the OEC board [of trustees]," Watters said.

"Spending 36 years as a lineman and the last three as a member of the board has taught me a lot about how to successfully operate a co-op, and I enjoy being able to serve my neighbors and friends in this capacity."

Watters joins seven other board members who have achieved the Director Gold Credential, while one other continues training to reach it in the coming years. OEC takes pride in having a very well educated and fiscally knowledgeable board of trustees that insists on being transparent about co-op business. [6409201501]

"Board members must be well-versed in both the electric industry and the cooperative business model so they can make fiscally sound decisions," said CEO Patrick Grace. "This often requires a significant time commitment from each trustee to keep a firm grasp on an ever-evolving industry. It's why one of the seven cooperative principles is Education, Training and Information. A high priority must be placed on obtaining knowledge needed to serve all of our members at the highest level."