FROM THE MANAGER

I want to thank the NREA membership for allowing me the opportunity to lead your association. It truly is an honor for me to take on this responsibility. Hiring a general manager was just one aspect of 2022 for NREA. There has been so much more and some of you might be saying whoa, wait a minute, can one thing please remain the same.

I have felt that perspective and understand the feeling behind it. On the other hand, the more things change the more they stay the same. I would like to think that the strategic plan we embarked upon in March was not a change, but a refocus. The many miles of traveling in January and February by the Executive Committee and myself, was a refocus. Both of which were needed as an organization.

Cleaning up the policies that govern this organization provides a refocus on the way we operate. Not that there were many changes, but maybe a different look.

Meeting operational challenges within the organization was another area of focus in 2022. Taking a step back and evaluating NREA functions and services that are provided to the membership is crucial to moving NREA forward into the future. It is not always about cutting costs, but about providing service the best way possible and at the level that is expected.

Another aspect of the strategic plan was setting in motion a review of the way NREA is governed in the form of committee structure and board meeting structure.

That is one of the reasons why we are taking a hard look at what we do to communicate our position as a statewide organization to all our customers in Nebraska. Although, grassroots is not a new term, the way we can provide it could be a new way, but as an Association we can analyze what this may look like moving forward.

It is also important to highlight the relationships that were built in 2022 at Rural Electric Statewide Managers Association (RESMA) and National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) meetings. These will be beneficial to the NREA for years to come.

I am excited about 2023 and all the great things to come, including the first year of this annual report. I sincerely hope you enjoy this report and look towards what 2023 might have to offer.