Dear Member-Owners,
As we begin a new year, January is a fitting time to reflect on foundations—and to look ahead.
At Roanoke Cooperative, member-owner expectations for reliability and responsiveness continue to rise—and rightly so. Meeting those expectations requires timely, accurate information to guide decisions and respond when it matters most. That understanding has shaped how we approach data across our electric system, and that foundation continues to prove its value.
Over time, we have made steady progress in turning our data strategy into real operational capability. Several key systems now work together to give us better visibility into how our electric system is performing.
Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) plays an important role in that effort. Today, AMI helps us monitor system conditions and respond more quickly when issues arise.
Another major effort we are wrapping up is updating our electric system mapping and restoring key real-time monitoring systems. Together, these tools give us a clearer picture of how the system is connected and operating, helping crews and operators respond more quickly when issues arise.
Roanoke Cooperative continues to maintain strong system reliability, and our performance compares favorably with industry standards. At the same time, we understand that any outage or unexpected disturbance—no matter how brief—can create uneasiness for a member-owner.
One important improvement from our data strategy work is our ability to better monitor brief power interruptions, such as moments when lights flicker or clocks reset. With better system data, we can often see these events as they happen—sometimes before we receive a phone call—allowing us to investigate patterns and address issues sooner.
As these systems become more connected, cybersecurity plays an increasingly important role. We continue to invest in protecting operational systems and the data that supports them so the tools we rely on remain secure and dependable.
The same fiber network that supports our electric operations also allows data to move quickly and securely across the system. It is also the foundation that has helped extend high-speed internet access across much of our service territory, strengthening connectivity for the communities we serve.
Together, these capabilities lay the groundwork for the next phase of our journey under Connect 2030 and support continued improvements in how we serve our member-owners.
Our work in data strategy is an ongoing commitment. As we enter 2026, I am encouraged by the progress we have made and confident in the direction ahead. By investing in the right systems and using data wisely, Roanoke Cooperative is positioning itself not just for today’s challenges, but for tomorrow’s opportunities.
As always, thank you for allowing us to serve you—
Connecting People, Places, and Possibilities… Today, Tomorrow, Together.
In Service,
Marshall Cherry
President & CEO