Newsroom

Storm Season Continues

Preparedness is key to staying safe

The Cooperative Advantage: Members’ Economic Participation

Board elects to return $800,00 to members in capital credits

A Week to Remember

Students 'make their mark' in nation's capital

Check Your Mailbox: Annual Meeting Proxies

Annual Meeting proxies are being mailed to all members in July.

Mary E. Reed Appointed to NNEC Board of Directors

Northern Neck Electric Cooperative announces the appointment of Mary E. Reed to the co-op’s board of directors.

Investing In Our Future

Northern Neck students awarded more than $20,000 in college scholarships

NNEC Restores Power After Winter Storm Fern

NNEC crews and personnel respond quickly to outages caused by Winter Storm Fern. All power restored in less than 24 hours.

NNEC Prepared to Respond, Encourages Members to Prepare

Northern Neck Electric Cooperative encourages members to be prepared in case of a power outage from the approaching Winter Storm Fern. Heavy snow and/or ice accumulation on power lines and trees can result in power outages, potentially for extended duration.

NNEC Welcomes New Manager of Public Relations

In mid-December, Northern Neck Electric Cooperative named Jim Robertson as its new manager of public relations, bringing nearly two decades of experience in electric cooperative and utility communications to the co-op.

Service Beyond the Line: NNEC Lineworkers Recognized for Lifesaving Action

While driving home from work on Nov. 5, 2025, three NNEC lineworkers, Craig Loving, Mark Evans and Martin Pinon, came across a vehicle accident and immediately recognized a community member in need. Drawing on their CPR training and emergency response skills, they assisted emergency medical services in removing the driver from the car, supporting CPR efforts and getting the driver into the ambulance.

Powering Education: NNEC Fully Stocks Northern Neck Technical Center Electricity Class with New Tools

On September 25, 2025, Northern Neck Electric Cooperative hosted its annual Powering Community Golf Tournament. The event brought together more than 40 golfers and 15 sponsors, raising funds to help outfit the Northern Neck Technical Center’s (NNTC) electricity class with over $5,000 worth of new tools.

Powering Their Potential: NNEC Supports Girl Power Camp

For the past five years, the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives (VMDAEC) has hosted Girl Power Camp -- a one-day energy camp designed to give high school girls hands-on experience with careers in the energy industry. On October 30, 2025 more than 40 students from across Virginia attended. NNEC was well represented with students participating from the Northern Neck Technical Center (NNTC) and Lancaster High School (LHS).

Blaine Salmans Promoted to Manager of Operations

Northern Neck Electric Cooperative is proud to announce Blaine Salmans has been promoted to Manager of Operations.

Denise Sanders Promoted to Member Services Supervisor

Northern Neck Electric Cooperative is proud to announce the promotion of Denise Sanders to Member Services Supervisor.

Rich Steensma Promoted to Manager of Safety and Security

Northern Neck Electric Cooperative is proud to announce that Rich Steensma has been promoted to Manager of Safety and Security.

Steve Minor Expands Role to Vice President of Engineering and Operations

Northern Neck Electric Cooperative proudly announces that Steve Minor has been promoted to Vice President of Engineering and Operations.

Gabrielle Dawson Retires From NNEC

Northern Neck Electric Cooperative celebrates the retirement of Gabrielle Dawson, who has dedicated 17 years of outstanding service to the cooperative and its members.

Jenny Hayes Promoted to Vice President of Member Engagement

Northern Neck Electric Cooperative is pleased to announce the promotion of Jenny Hayes to Vice President of Member Engagement.

Honoring a Trusted Leader: Russell G. “Rusty” Brown Retires from the NNEC Board

After more than thirty years of dedicated service, Northern Neck Electric Cooperative is bidding farewell to one of its most trusted and reliable leaders. Russell G. “Rusty” Brown, who has served on the NNEC Board of Directors since 1992, is retiring, leaving behind a legacy of leadership, integrity, and a strong dedication to the cooperative's members.

Director Elected at Northern Neck Electric Cooperative’s 88th Annual Meeting

Northern Neck Electric Cooperative (NNEC) members elected one of their peers to serve on NNEC’s Board of Directors at the co-op’s 88th Annual Meeting on Thursday, September 18, 2025. Members voted either by returning their proxy designation card or by attending the meeting in-person.

Northern Neck Electric Cooperative Names Richard McLendon President and CEO

The Northern Neck Electric Cooperative (NNEC) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Richard McLendon has been appointed as President and CEO. McLendon, who has been serving as Interim President and CEO since April 2025, officially steps into the permanent role with more than four decades of cooperative utility experience.

Walter “W.D.” Cole Named Warehouse Coordinator

Northern Neck Electric Cooperative is pleased to announce that Walter “W.D.” Cole has been named Warehouse Coordinator.

Matthew Self Promoted to Substation Technician

Northern Neck Electric Cooperative is proud to announce the promotion of Matthew Self to substation technician.

Powering Up Your Preparedness

In honor of National Preparedness Month in September, NNEC wants to remind members of our community about the power of preparation. While you don’t have to achieve a “doomsday prepper” level of preparedness, there are several practical steps you can take to keep you and your family safe.

Sparking Safety with Educational Outreach

Another school year means another year of S.A.F.E or Safety Awareness For Everyone, NNEC’s educational outreach program. Each year, NNEC embarks on a series of visits to elementary schools throughout the area, where they deliver engaging presentations on electrical safety and the fundamentals of electricity to fifth grade classes.

Cutting Edge Technology, Cornfield Roots: NNEC Launches First Distribution Automation Project in Westmoreland

In its ongoing mission to improve service reliability, Northern Neck Electric Cooperative (NNEC) has deployed its first-ever distribution automation (DA) device—a smart automatic transfer switch in the Chisford and Foneswood areas of Westmoreland and Richmond, respectively. This milestone marks a significant step forward in keeping the lights on for thousands of cooperative members, even when nature or equipment tries to ruin movie night.

Youth Tour Experience Sparks Leadership and Connection

This past June, four students from the Northern Neck embarked on an educational and adventure-filled trip to Washington, D.C. for the highly selective Electric Cooperative Youth Tour.

NNEC Competes at Gaff-n-Go Rodeo

On May 16 and 17, several of our lineworkers participated in the 21st annual Gaff-n-Go Lineworker's Rodeo! This event gives lineworkers the chance to compete in various challenges that highlight the skills they use in the field every day.

Cole Nash and Gabe Fearing Receive Certificates from the Commonwealth of Virginia

In an all-employee safety meeting in May, Cole Nash received a certificate from the Commonwealth of Virginia for completing the system operator apprenticeship program and Gabe Fearing received a certificate for completing the substation maintenance technician apprenticeship program.

NNEC Honors Scholarship Recipients

Four students from the Northern Neck have been awarded scholarships from the Virginia, Maryland and Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives Education Scholarship Foundation. Get to know the recipients and what comes next for them!

Improving Reliability and Affordability: Padmount Transformer Maintenance Underway

Northern Neck Electric Cooperative is committed to delivering safe, reliable, and affordable electricity to our members every day. As part of that commitment, NNEC has launched a new initiative to inspect, repair, repaint, and level more than 2,500 padmount transformers across our service territory.

Northern Neck Electric Cooperative’s Third Annual Bright Futures Fun(d) Run Provides Over 1,500 Books for Local Children

On Friday, June 6, 2025, Northern Neck Electric Cooperative (NNEC) hosted it’s third annual Bright Futures Fun(d) Run. The run was a fundraising event to benefit Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a charity that provides free books to children from birth to age 5. To date, NNEC and its members have funded more than 10,000 books. The money raised this year will provide 1,500 books to children in the local community.

NNEC Mourns Passing of Ralph E. Sutton

Northern Neck Electric Cooperative is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Director Ralph Edward Sutton on Sunday, March 23. Sutton has served the NNEC membership since 1998 and represented King George County. On behalf of the entire NNEC family, we extend our deepest condolences to the Sutton family.

Garner/Robley Reconductoring Project Enhances Reliability

Northern Neck Electric Cooperative (NNEC) has completed a major system upgrade with the successful reconductoring of power lines in areas of Richmond and Lancaster counties served by the Garner and Robley substations.

Honoring Our Lineworkers: The Backbone of Reliable Power

Every day, no matter the weather, time of day, or circumstances, our lineworkers stand ready to serve. On Lineworker Appreciation Day, we take a moment to express our deep gratitude for the men and women who dedicate their lives to ensuring we all have safe, reliable electricity.

Osmose to Perform Pole and Underground Facility Inspections in Lancaster and Northumberland Counties

Northern Neck Electric Cooperative is committed to providing safe and reliable electric service to our members. As part of our ongoing efforts to maintain and improve system reliability, contractors from Osmose will be conducting inspections on utility poles and underground facilities, including padmount transformers, in the coming weeks.

NNEC Selects Four Local Students for Electric Cooperative Youth Tour

Northern Neck Electric Cooperative is excited to announce that four students from the Northern Neck area have been selected to participate in this year’s electric cooperative Youth Tour in Washington D.C.

2025 Annual Meeting Notice

For members, the Annual Meeting of Northern Neck Electric Cooperative will be held at the Northern Neck Electric Cooperative warehouse in Warsaw, Va., Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, at 15105 History Land Hwy., Warsaw, VA 22572.

VMDAEC Scholarships Now Open!

Electric cooperatives in Virginia, Maryland and Delaware are now accepting applications for their scholarships from high school seniors who intend to pursue higher education studies. The deadline to apply is April 1. The application and additional information is posted at vmdaec.com/scholarship.

All Points Broadband, Dominion Energy Virginia and Northern Neck Electric Cooperative Announce Completion of Northern Neck Regional Broadband Initiative

All Points Broadband, Dominion Energy Virginia, and the Northern Neck Electric Cooperative announced the completion of the regional fiber-to-the-home broadband network in Virginia’s five-county Northern Neck region, bringing state-of-the-art fiber broadband to more than 10,000 locations in King George, Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond, and Westmoreland counties previously unable to access broadband.

Keeping Warm: Why Electric Bills Rise in the Winter

If you’ve opened your electric bill lately and noticed it’s higher than normal, you’re not alone. In January we experienced an average temperature of about 32 degrees - 8 degrees lower than last year, and many of our members are feeling the impact of the consistent freezing temperatures.

Davin Brann Promoted to Lead Lineman

Northern Neck Electric Cooperative (NNEC) is happy to announce the promotion of Davin Brann to Lead Lineman.

David Jackson Retires From NNEC

Northern Neck Electric Cooperative (NNEC) celebrates the career of David Jackson, who is retiring after 34 years of dedicated service.

Carey Allen Promoted to Administrative Assistant

Northern Neck Electric Cooperative (NNEC) is proud to announce the promotion of Carey Allen to the role of Administrative Assistant. Allen joined the co-op in 2006 as an accounting assistant. Throughout her nearly 20 years with the Cooperative, Allen has consistently shown her dedication to serving our members.

Pamela Davis Promoted to Chief Financial Officer

Pamela Davis has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Northern Neck Electric Cooperative (NNEC). Davis began her career at NNEC as a work order specialist in 2004 and has progressed through various roles in her more than 20 years with the cooperative.

Chris Henry and Gena Boarman Earn Journeyman Lineworker Certification

Northern Neck Electric Cooperative (NNEC) is excited to announce that Chris Henry and Gena Boarman have been certified as journeyman lineworkers after completing a comprehensive training program.

EmpowHERing the Next Generation: NNEC Inspires Young Women at Girl Power Camp

On October 30, the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives (VMDAEC) hosted their annual Girl Power camp. This year more than 80 young women participated, with groups from the Northern Neck Technical Center (NNTC) and Lancaster High School ready to gain some hands-on experience and learn more about opportunities within the energy industry.

NNEC Opens Applications for 2025 Youth Tour

Northern Neck Electric Cooperative (NNEC) is excited to announce that applications are now open for the 2025 Youth Tour, a once-in-a-lifetime leadership experience held in Washington, D.C.

Cybersecurity Tips For A Safer Digital World

Did you know the average household with internet access owns about 17 connected devices? That figure covers a wide range of electronics, including smartphones, computers, streaming devices, smart speakers, home assistants and more. Given our increasing reliance on internet-connected technologies, the likelihood of cybersecurity threats is ever-present.

Teeing Off Fore A Brighter Future: NNEC’s Powering Community Golf Tournament Raises $7,000 for Ledwith Lewis Free Clinic

Northern Neck Electric Cooperative (NNEC) successfully hosted its annual Powering Community Golf Tournament on October 2, 2024, raising an impressive $7,000 to benefit the Ledwith Lewis Free Clinic.

NNEC Announces Board of Directors Leadership Transition

After more than 45 years of service to Northern Neck Electric Cooperative (NNEC), the cooperative has announced that Hunter Greenlaw, Jr. has retired from the board of directors as of September 16, 2024. In accordance with NNEC’s bylaws, Russell G. “Rusty” Brown, vice chairman, will assume the duties and responsibilities of the chairman until an election by the board.

Amp Up Your Game: NNEC Donates New Scoreboard to Westmoreland Schools

On Friday, Sept. 13, Northern Neck Electric Cooperative (NNEC) attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Westmoreland County Public Schools' new stadium, field, and fieldhouse. This investment in the school and community will enhance student life and school spirit for years to come. For NNEC, the ceremony was especially exciting, as the cooperative donated the entire cost of the state-of-the-art scoreboard.

NNEC Lineworker, Gena Boarman, and Team Complete Power Restoration in Jamaica

Northern Neck Electric Cooperative (NNEC) lineworker, Gena Boarman, recently returned from a challenging mission in St. Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica, where she helped restore power after the devastation of Hurricane Beryl.

NNEC Lineworker, Gena Boarman, to Head to Jamaica for Hurricane Beryl Recovery Efforts

Northern Neck Electric Cooperative (NNEC) is proud to announce that Gena Boarman, one of our dedicated and experienced lineworkers, has volunteered to join the team to help restore power to the St. Elizabeth Parish in Jamaica.

NNEC Welcomes Apprentice Lineworker, Harvey Hill

Northern Neck Electric Cooperative (NNEC) is proud to welcome Harvey Hill, a recent graduate of the Southside Virginia Community College Power Line Worker Training program, to the team as a new apprentice lineworker.

Powerful Futures Ahead: NNEC Honors Scholarship Recipients

Three high school seniors from the service territory of Northern Neck Electric Cooperative have reason to celebrate as they have been awarded $1,000 college scholarships each by the Education Scholarship Foundation of the Virginia, Maryland, Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives (VMDAEC). This generous scholarship program aims to support students in pursuing their higher education goals.

Cheyenne Fulkerson Represents Northern Neck Electric Cooperative at Youth Tour in Washington, D.C.

Cheyenne Fulkerson, a Westmoreland High School student, joined over 2,000 young leaders from 44 states for a premier leadership experience in Washington, D.C., as part of the highly selective Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. Sponsored by Northern Neck Electric Cooperative (NNEC), Fulkerson and her peers spent a week immersed in educational and leadership activities in the nation's capital.

NNEC Welcomes Two Apprentice Lineworkers

Northern Neck Electric Cooperative (NNEC) is excited to introduce two new apprentice lineworkers to the team, Jacob Mothershead and Evan Yeatman. Both Mothershead and Yeatman are from the area NNEC serves, bringing a strong commitment to their community.

NNEC Completes Severe Storm Restoration

As of Thursday afternoon, Northern Neck Electric Cooperative (NNEC) has restored nearly all outages related to the severe storm from Wednesday, June 26th. The storm impacts stretched from Stafford down to Lancaster County.

“Mayday, Mayday, Truck 42 to Base” NNEC Takes Radio Comms to New Heights Upgrading Radio Towers

In May, NNEC and a team of contractors completed a radio system upgrade needed for the safety of its employees and the network's reliability.

Cheyenne Fulkerson Receives NNEC’s Youth Tour Program Sponsorship

NNEC is proud to announce that it has selected Cheyenne Fulkerson, a student at Westmoreland High School, to participate in this year's Youth Tour. Youth Tour is a highly selective program centered on teaching students the importance of being an active participant in our democracy.

NNEC Sparks Electrical Safety Education in Elementary Schools with S.A.F.E. Program

In a bid to empower the next generation with crucial knowledge about electricity and its potential hazards, Northern Neck Electric Cooperative (NNEC) has been actively engaging with elementary schools through its educational outreach program, Safety Awareness For Everyone or S.A.F.E. Recently, the NNEC team embarked on a series of visits to several elementary schools, where they delivered engaging presentations on electrical safety and the fundamentals of electricity to fifth-grade classes.

Welcome NNEC’s Marketing and Communications Coordinator

NNEC is proud to welcome, Shelby Davis to the team as its marketing and communications coordinator.

Notice of: Unclaimed Capital Credits

Certain members or former members of the Cooperative may have unclaimed capital credits that have been ordered to be retired by the Cooperative’s board of directors.

Greg Dove named Line Superintendent for NNEC

Greg Dove has been promoted to line superintendent for Northern Neck Electric Cooperative.

Welcome NNEC’s New Warehouse Coordinator

Matthew Self is the newest NNEC employee.

Robert “Bobby” Franklin retires from NNEC

Every organization has one, the “Johnny on the spot” who is always ready to help in any problem or situation. For NNEC, that person is Bobby Franklin.

Electric Cooperative Scholarships

Electric cooperatives in Virginia, Maryland and Delaware are preparing to accept applications for their scholarships from high school seniors who intend to pursue higher education studies.

Lighting the Way

When lineworker Genevie Boarman arrived in Guatemala last month with 15 other volunteers to help electrify a village with NRECA International, male employees from the local municipal utility did a doubletake.

Sparking Interest

On Nov. 3, Gena Boarman, Chris Henry, Brittany Johnson, Craig Loving and Blaine Salmans served as demonstrators and teachers at the third annual Girl Power Camp, hosted by the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives.

5 Ways to Safeguard Your Home This Winter

As the temperatures drop and the days grow shorter, there’s a natural inclination to create a warm and cozy haven at home. Unfortunately, as we see increased use of heating equipment, candles, and electrical items, the number of home fires tends to increase during winter months.

Mission Accomplished: Broadband Make-Ready Complete

Northern Neck Electric Cooperative is proud to announce the completion of its role in the fiber build-out for the Northern Neck regional broadband project.

NNEC is now accepting applications for Youth Tour

Participating in the Youth Tour is an awesome way to learn about this great nation, develop leadership skills, gain a better understanding of electric cooperatives, and make friendships that will last beyond the week!

Spooky Energy Savings

This spooky season, we’re sharing a few energy-saving tricks so you can treat yourself to lower energy bills. Here are four simple ways to summon the spirit of energy efficiency.

Combating Cyber Nightmares

In addition to pumpkin spice lattes, crisper air, and Halloween festivities, October is the time of year we recognize Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

First Northumberland County Customer Connected to All Points Broadband’s Regional Fiber Broadband Network

The Northern Neck Broadband Initiative celebrated its first fiber-to-the-home broadband connection to select locations in Northumberland County.

Northern Neck Electric Cooperative Prepares for Impacts of Tropical Storm Ophelia

Northern Neck Electric Cooperative (NNEC) is preparing for potential damage caused by Tropical Storm Ophelia.

Proactive Pruning Prevents Problems

Right Tree, Right Place

NNEC Announces Winners of 2023 Scholarships

NNEC’s Henry to Retire, Minor and Bushong Receive Promotions

NNEC Announces Power Cost Reduction

Derek Pierson Promoted to Manager of Procurement

Northern Neck Electric Cooperative’s Bright Futures Fund Run Donates Over 2,000 Books for Local Children

Cole Nash has been promoted to Operations Supervisor

Press Release: Directors Elected at Northern Neck Electric Cooperative’s 86th Annual Meeting

Press Release: Northern Neck Electric Cooperative Lineworkers receive honors at 2023 Gaff-N-Go Lineworker Rodeo

Richard McLendon Named Vice President, Operations

CEO Corner: Taking Steps Toward Our Mission, Literally

Hackett Becomes Journeyman

National Lineworker Appreciation Day

Bright Futures Fund Run

Moss Retires After 36 Years of Service

NNEC Lineworkers Give Boost to Aspiring Women Lineworkers

NNEC Commits to ODIN

Future-Proofing the Co-op

Preparing The Best for the Worst

Man of Service and Serviceman

CEO Corner: Season of Giving

NNEC Accepting Applications for Youth Tour

Jason Kenner Appointed to NNEC Board

Pumping Up Reliability

NNEC Completes Hurricane Ian Restoration

Proactive Pruning Prevents Problems

Rusty Brown Honored with Resolution for Service as Chairman of VMDAEC

Local Students Awarded Scholarships to Power Up Futures

First Member Gets Connected to Fiber Partnership

NNEC Donates Sports Equipment to Boys & Girls Club

Capital Credit Retirements on July 1

NNEC Launches Updated Outage Tools

NNEC Establishes Power Line Worker Scholarship in Honor of Beloved Co-op Lineman, Randall J. “Randy” Thompson

Lineworkers Place 2nd at Gaff-N-Go Lineworker Rodeo

NNEC Prepares for the Worst

NNEC Recognizes Electrical Safety Month

Steensma Becomes Certified Loss Control Professional

National Line worker Appreciation Day

Saunders Retires After 30 Years of Service to NNEC

Directors Elected at Northern Neck Electric Cooperative’s 85th Annual Meeting

NNEC Annual Meeting

Engineers + Chemists = Reliability for Members

NNEC Welcomes Blaine Salmans as Manager, Safety & Security

NNEC coNNECt Launches

Kram Retires After 13 Years of Service

NNEC Completes Restoration Efforts

NNEC Offering RCC Scholarship

Hinson Promoted to VP of Corporate Services

Notice Of Proposed Rulemaking Case PUR-2020-00023

Press Release About Regional Broadband Initiative

NNEC Announces CEO Transition

NNEC Elects New Board Chair, Vice-Chair

Applications Available For 2018 VMDAEC Scholarship