Welcoming 2023!
2022 was an eventful year, full of changes for Rio Grande, and for me, as it was for the rest of the world. As I look ahead to the New Year, I’m filled with a sense of optimism at the prospect of a brighter year than the one to which we’ve just bid farewell. I know it’s well-worn, but I continue to give all the Glory to God in the highest. I’m certain Luke’s noble idea of “Peace on Earth and goodwill toward men” was intended to be about Christmas, but I believe it’s appropriate for New Year’s, too. I’m fervently hopeful that 2023 is the year it becomes reality.
There are some major improvements slated to take place within your Co-op during 2023. The groundwork was laid during the last quarter of 2022, and I believe you’ll be impressed with the forward motion in 2023. As you read through our 2023 Preview Edition, keep in mind that not every project on the drawing board for this year is included. We’ve tried to cover the highlights, so if you don’t see a project for your area specifically mentioned, that doesn’t mean there won’t be upgrades and system improvements.
There are only three measurements that tell me nearly everything I need to know about the Cooperative’s overall performance: employee engagement, customer satisfaction, and cash flow. It goes without saying that no company, small or large, can win over the long run without energized employees who believe in the mission and understand how to achieve it. In the next few pages, we honor a few of these enthusiastic employees and their many years of service to Rio Grande Electric.
With all the work slated for 2023, it wouldn’t be possible without a force of dedicated individuals and resources making it all reality. It takes proper planning, budgeting, and loyalty to take such projects from conceptualization to actualization. Your board of directors was an integral part of the process. Their main functions are to establish policy, to provide for their implementation by authorizing the expenditure of funds, and to assure that their decisions are being carried out. This role is not taken lightly. We certainly appreciate their understanding of the Cooperative business model and their loyalty to the membership.
We wish you health, happiness, peace and prosperity in the New Year!
–Your friends at Rio Grande Electric Co-op