Q&A with Board President Rusty Grissom

Over the next few months, the members who make up OEC's board of trustees will answer questions about their service to fellow member-consumers and their communities. You will also learn more about them as people — devoted family members, small business leaders, your neighbors and more.

As representatives of you — our member-consumers — our board of trustees works hard to become the knowledgeable, dedicated trustees you would expect to lead your co-op. They direct your voice in decisionmaking and guide the operations that have set OEC apart from other electric providers.

As OEC's board of trustees incoming president, we will begin with Rusty Grissom from Noble who proudly represents members in District 3 (Noble, Slaughterville and Lexington).

Q: Most electric companies consist of investors and personnel stationed in all parts of the world, disconnecting them from the true needs of today's electric consumers. Electric co-ops like OEC consist of people right here in the very communities we serve. Which community do you proudly call home?

I was born and raised in Noble and still live there today. My wife and I have raised our kids in Noble, too.

Q: What is your full-time occupation?

I have owned and operated a landscape and nursery business in Noble for 35 years. It has been a family business that I am proud to partner with my son Taylor to operate. Knowing how much it means for my neighbors Tell our readers something and friends to have access interesting about you — to high-speed internet something not a lot of people without being price-gouged may know about you. for it means we as a board I skied the Alps with James Bond. made the right decision.

This is the first of a series of Q&As with OEC's board of trustees

Q: As a small business owner who has lived in Noble your entire life, you likely have a deep connection to your community. What are the different ways you serve your community?

Each year, my family and I cook and provide Thanksgiving meals to the Noble Fire and Police Departments. We deliver them as a family with personal thank you cards — it is a special moment for us. I also believe in supporting our youth and am actively involved in 4-H, FFA, athletics and various other interests.

Q: Let's meet your family — introduce us to your better half, kids and grandkids.

I've been married to my wife Tammy for 34 years, and we have two children. Whitney and her husband Ryan, and Taylor and his wife, Kensey. I am the proud grandpa of Holden (4 months old) and Drake (1 month old).

Q: You've seen some pretty big changes at OEC throughout your tenure. What is the largest change you believe OEC has experienced?

It's the largest and also one I'm most proud to be part of: The fiber and broadband project. Knowing how much it means for my neighbors and friends to have access to high-speed internet without being price gouged for it means we as a board made the right decision back in 2017 to move forward with it.

Q: Board trustees are required to not only learn a lot once they join the board, but to retain all the knowledge it takes to run an electric cooperative — in addition to keeping up with changes in the industry. What certifications do you hold that prove you are qualified to hold the position of trustee?

Currently, I hold the Credentialed Cooperative Director certificate from NRECA (National Rural Electric Cooperative Association), as well as the Board Leadership certificate. These were achieved following multi-year board education programs.

Q: What is one of the most rewarding aspects of serving on OEC's board of trustees?

I truly enjoy working with the rest of the board and co-op leadership to do everything we can to keep members' bills affordable. At the end of the day, that's our biggest job. We must keep in mind that OEC was started back in the 1930s by members who didn't have access to affordable electricity. We all feel a personal responsibility to continue that tradition, while still being able to keep our system updated and reliable. That's another thing I am pretty proud of — that OEC has one of the lowest average outage times per member in the state, if not the entire nation.