LPEA Director Jack Turner earns industry credentials from NRECA
LPEA Director Jack Turner earns industry credentials from NRECA
Date Published

LPEA Director Jack Turner earns industry credentials from NRECA

Turner receives Director Gold Credential

DURANGO, Colo. – La Plata Electric Association (LPEA) Director Jack D. Turner, representing members of District 4 in La Plata County, has completed the required courses and earned both his Director Gold Credentialed from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).

“It is essential for all directors to keep abreast of the various issues that assist the cooperative make more informed decisions and do the best possible job of representing our members,” said Mike Dreyspring, LPEA CEO. “Today’s electric utility environment imposes new demands on directors, and we appreciate Jack taking the initiative and time to become more informed.”

Turner has served on the LPEA board since 2013. He is an educator and coach, and throughout his career has worked as a representative for rural and environmental interests.

The NRECA Director Gold Credential is the third part and highest level of qualification in the director education program. Director Gold is awarded following completion of the Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate (CCD) and Board Leadership Certificate (BLC), and recognizes directors committed to continuing their education and who desire a tangible credential that demonstrates their ongoing commitment to advancing their knowledge and performing their fiduciary duty to the best of their ability.

The second part of the director education program, the BLC program, consists of a series of courses focusing in greater depth on specific industry and governance issues. These include issues such as risk management, power supply, parliamentary procedure, technology and policy development. A director can earn the BLC if they have 1) completed the CCD 2) Earned 10 credits from a choice of over 20 BLC courses. Directors may attend BLC courses at any time but the BLC will not be awarded until the CCD program requirements are completed.

The first part, the CCD, is a set of five courses that focus on basic governance knowledge and the essential skills required of cooperative directors. The CCD prepares directors to fulfill their fiduciary duty as elected officials serving on behalf of their membership. Upon completion of all five CCD courses, directors are awarded the Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate by NRECA.

NRECA is the national service organization that represents the nation’s more than 900 private, not-for-profit, consumer-owned electric cooperatives, which provides service to 42 million people in 47 states.

LPEA, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative established in 1939, provides to its more than 30,000 members, with in excess of 42,000 meters, safe, reliable electricity at the lowest reasonable cost, while being environmentally responsible. For additional information, contact LPEA at 970.247.5786 or visit www.lpea.coop.