Central Electric Cooperative (CEC) has been named a Partner for Progress award winner by the Oklahoma Association of Technology Centers.

“This award recognizes businesses and industries that have made outstanding contributions to business improvement, promotion, development and progress through CareerTech education,” said Rebecca Eastham, Executive Director of Business and Industry Services at Meridian Technology Center.

CEC and Meridian Technology Center have a relationship spanning at almost three decades. The partnership began back when it was Central Rural Electric Cooperative and Indian-Meridian Vocational School, Meridian offered an electrical lineman program to help train employees for the expanding utility industry in the area.

Over the years, as the industry evolved and new skill sets were needed in the organization, CEC and Meridian have worked together to meet training needs. Recent training partnerships have included customer service skills, Gallup StrengthsFinder, process improvement training, Franklin Covey Five Choices and UAS Part 107 certification test preparation for unmanned aerial systems.

“The relationship between CEC and Meridian is so much more than employee training. Central is a partner in every sense of the word,” Eastham said. “Central values the partnership with the local technology center and advocates for the role career and technical education plays in keeping the industry and area communities strong.”

Eastham added that CEC leadership encourages employees throughout the organization to partner with Meridian to provide tours, be class speakers, serve on business and education councils and conduct demonstrations of emerging technology.

“They open their doors and share their state-of-the-art facility for meetings allowing the district to showcase an important industry sector in energy and power,” she said. “We are honored to recognize them for their continued support.”

Central Electric Cooperative is leading the utility industry with their cutting-edge processes and technological initiatives. They are not only changing the way their approximately 15,000 members spanning seven counties connect to power, but they are shaping the future of next generation utility providers across the state and nation.

For more information or to enroll visit www.meridiantech.edu or contact a career counselor by phone at (405) 377-3333 or toll-free at (888) 607-2509.

Photo:  CEC has been named a Partner for Progress award winner by the Oklahoma Association of Technology Centers. Accepting the award from left to right are David Swank, CEC Chief Executive Officer; Michelle Perzee, CEC Chief Operations Officer; Len Tontz, CEC Board of Trustees; Carol Dvorak, CEC Board of Trustees; Dr. Douglas Major, Meridian Technology Center Superintendent/CEO; and State Representative Greg Babinec.