Passing the Torch - A Final Reflection

As I write my final article as CEO of East-Central Iowa Rural Electric Cooperative, I find myself reflecting on a career that has been filled with challenges, opportunities, friendships, and countless memories. While farewells naturally bring a sense of nostalgia, Laura Ingalls Wilder’s words remind us that every ending creates space for a new beginning.

“The last time always seems sad, but it isn’t really. The end of one thing is only the beginning of another.” 
       — Laura Ingalls Wilder

Recently, I came across an article from 1969 describing one of our parent cooperatives, Benton County Electric Cooperative Association. As I read it, I was struck by how relevant its message remains today. Technology has changed. Tools have evolved. The challenges are different. Yet the core mission of a rural electric cooperative remains the same: serving our members, supporting our communities, and working together to improve the quality of life in the places we call home.

Over the years, I have witnessed moments that tested us in ways we could never have anticipated. You are never fully prepared for what lies ahead. Together, we navigated the 2007 ice storm, the 2008 flood/tornado, the 2011 and 2020 derechos, and a pandemic. We endured a tornado strike at our operating center, made difficult decisions regarding rates, strengthened our commitment to safety, and said goodbye to friends and loved ones along the way. Through every challenge, I was continually reminded of the resilience, dedication, and character of the people who make ECI REC so special.

When I became CEO in 2020, we were fresh off a remodel of our front offices and meeting space. I envisioned spending time riding around with Tom, our operations manager, looking at our distribution system and getting the carpet replaced in the rest of the office. Six years later, we still have the same carpet, and Tom and I never got to take that ride. In this business, there is always another priority, another challenge, and another member who needs us. The best-laid plans have a way of changing.

As I look back, some of my favorite memories are not necessarily the major events, but the everyday moments. During the 2007 ice storm, members would call in during the evenings. With nothing else to do, they would simply want to visit. I remember the great conversations with my co-workers, the laughter, talking too much and hoping not to get caught, and working like crazy together to meet deadlines. These moments may seem small, but they are the threads that weave together a career and a cooperative family. They are the moments I will carry with me long after the big projects and difficult challenges have faded.

To our employees, thank you. Your commitment to serving our members, often under difficult circumstances, has been inspiring. I am especially proud of the safety culture we built together. Safety is more than policies and procedures—it is caring for one another and ensuring everyone returns home safely at the end of each day. That culture exists because of each of you.

To our Board of Directors, thank you for your confidence, guidance, and trust. Serving alongside leaders who remained focused on the long-term interests of our members has been both an honor and a privilege.

To my family, thank you for the sacrifices you made throughout my career. Cooperative service requires a servant’s heart, and that often means missed dinners, interrupted weekends, and being called away when members need you most. When I became CEO, my husband became my biggest supporter. He retired early, offered steady advice, and quietly became the keeper of many cooperative secrets. His support often happened behind the scenes, but it never went unnoticed. During the 2020 derecho, while recovering from a torn tendon in his foot, he hauled ice and helped ensure our line crews had full coolers each morning. That spirit of service is one I will always cherish.

I have also been blessed with extraordinary mentors throughout my career. They invested their time, shared their knowledge, and patiently allowed me to make mistakes and learn from them. Their guidance shaped the leader I became, and I remain deeply grateful for the lessons they taught me. 

Recently, I came across the newsletter article from February 1993 introducing me as a new employee. My children were young then, and I shared a love of flower gardening that began with a few beds around our home. Today, that hobby has grown into several gardens on the lot next door to our home. Much like a garden, a career doesn’t flourish overnight. It grows through patience, hard work, support from others, and a willingness to adapt through every season.

As I close this chapter, my heart is filled with gratitude. Thank you for allowing me to serve East-Central Iowa Rural Electric Cooperative, our members, our employees, and our communities. This cooperative has been more than a workplace—it has been a calling, a family, and a source of purpose for over 34 years.

While this may be my final article as CEO, I know ECI REC’s story will continue. New leaders will emerge, new challenges will be met, and new opportunities will be embraced. The future is bright because of the people who make this cooperative strong.

Thank you for being part of my journey. It has been the honor of a lifetime.

With gratitude,

Teresa Floyd
Chief Executive Officer