Dear Member-Owners,
As we move into the fall season, I want to thank all of you who participated in Roanoke Cooperative’s 86th Annual Meeting, whether by voting or logging into our virtual event. Your engagement strengthens our cooperative, and I am proud to share that over 10 percent of our membership participated this year, reflecting the cooperative principle of member-owner participation.
I also want to congratulate the directors elected to serve on our board for the next three years: Carolyn Bradley of District 3, re-elected and serving since 1996; Robert “Nat” Riddick of District 4, re-elected with more than 25 years of service; and Timothy Hardy of District 7, newly elected, bringing decades of leadership in public service and community engagement. Their dedication ensures that your voices are represented at every decision and that the cooperative remains focused on serving our communities effectively.
A special thank you goes to Senator Bobby Hanig, who delivered this year’s keynote address. Throughout his tenure in the North Carolina General Assembly, Senator Hanig has been a steadfast advocate for rural electric cooperatives and our broadband expansion efforts, helping bring high-speed connectivity to our communities.
This year’s theme, “Engaging Today, Connecting Tomorrow, Thriving Together,” captures the essence of our work: honoring our responsibilities now, investing in the future, and ensuring every member-owner benefits from our efforts. Our team has been advancing initiatives that position Roanoke Cooperative for long-term success. We commissioned a new substation and expanded service to large energy users like Duke Energy’s Piedmont Natural Gas and Archaea Energy. Tesla fast-charging stations have been added along I-95, and two new solar and battery storage units went online in Northampton and Halifax counties, supporting a cleaner energy mix and boosting grid reliability.
Our broadband expansion continues to grow. Fiber service is now available to nearly all member-owners, with nearly half of those choosing to subscribe to Fybe. Member-owners should continue to receive information about operational updates, including billing, through other communications channels, as discussed in last month’s blog. This progress reflects careful planning and investment.
Demonstrating the cooperative spirit and commitment to mutual aid, our crews assisted with recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene impacted western North Carolina. While Roanoke Cooperative was spared system damage during the 2024 hurricane season, we stood ready to support those in need—showing that we are always prepared to serve our communities and live our cooperative principles.
With Vision 2025 nearing completion, our cooperative has achieved a major milestone: connecting nearly all member-owners with access to high-speed fiber. Our next chapter, Connect 2030, focuses on creating a gig-connected electric cooperative—ensuring digital empowerment for all, supporting rural economic growth, and evolving our energy network to be smarter, cleaner, and more reliable. We also recognize the Roanoke Champions, member-owners who participate in programs like Upgrade to $ave, thermostat controls, solar initiatives, weatherization, time-of-day rates, and levelized billing. Your engagement strengthens our cooperative and keeps us moving forward.
Finally, congratulations to the winners of our door prize segment during the virtual meeting. None of this would be possible without our dedicated employees, our board, and most importantly, you—our member-owners. Your trust, participation, and support allow us to continue our mission of delivering reliable electricity and high-speed broadband while building a stronger, more resilient cooperative for generations to come.
We are truly engaging today, connecting tomorrow, and thriving together.
In Service,
Marshall Cherry
President & CEO