Long-time Grady EMC Employee Named 2017 Distinguished Cooperator

(TUCKER, GA., March 9)— For dedicated support and service to cooperatives and their unique business principles, long-time Grady EMC employee and electric cooperative champion Wayne Windham was recently named 2017 Distinguished Cooperator by the Georgia Cooperative Council.

Windham’s career with Grady EMC spans more than 48 years. He has worked in every department—serving as meter reader, lineman and serviceman, member service manager, and ultimately chief operations manager.

“Windham’s knowledge of the electric industry, particularly electric cooperatives, and his care for community, specifically qualify him as a leader within the cooperative network,” said Bo Rosser, President and General Manager of Grady EMC.

“His employees admire his dedication and service and he leads them with a focus on safety and common sense.”

In addition to his service with the Cairo-based cooperative, Windham serves in the Calvary Lions Club and has held the position of president. In addition, he has served as chairman of the Annual Mule Day Parade since its inception in 1972 when the population in Calvary swells to 70,000 guests and visitors during one weekend. Proceeds are donated to Lion’s Club International to help pay for and train leader dogs for the blind, and provide funds for eye surgeries and glasses for the less fortunate. 

Windham is a 1967 graduate of Cairo High School. He obtained a degree in business administration from Thomas University, formerly Birdwood. He served in the Georgia National Guard, Engineering Battalion, from 1986-1974 where he received marksmanship awards for exceptional skills.

Windham has served as deacon of Calvary Baptist Church since the 1980s. He has also served on the board of directors of the Grady County chamber of commerce and on the Grady County planning and zoning committee. He is a member of the Calvary Baptist Church men’s ministry, is church secretary, and is a member of the church choir.

Nominees for distinguished cooperator may be a director, agent, professional, public official, or other individual who deserves recognition for his or her commitment to cooperatives and efforts on behalf of a cooperative.

The Georgia Cooperative Council is a statewide, non-profit cooperative with members representing marketing, supply, financial, electric, telephone, cotton, poultry and service organizations. The Council promotes the cooperative movement through proactive programs in education, communications, and public relations and recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to cooperative businesses.

Georgia EMC is the statewide trade association representing the state’s 41 EMCs, Oglethorpe Power Corp., Georgia Transmission Corp. and Georgia System Operations Corp.  Collectively, Georgia’s customer-owned EMCs provide electricity and related services to 4.4 million people, nearly half of Georgia’s population, across 73 percent of the state’s land area.

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