Virginia’s REC wins the second annual Powered by Diversity Award
(Speaking on behalf of REC and receiving the Powered by Diversity award was Peter Muhoro, REC’s Chief Strategy Technology and Innovation Officer. Photo by Yusuf Latief.)
Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC), a member-owned utility that provides electric service to nearly 170,000 connections in portions of 22 Virginia counties, has won the second annual 2023 Powered by Diversity Award.
Announced during DISTRIBUTECH International 2024, hosted in Orlando, Florida, the Cooperative won the prize for recognition of their journey to becoming a more inclusive, equitable workplace.
REC was formed in 1980 after the consolidation of two cooperatives, Virginia Electric Cooperative in Bowling Green and Northern Piedmont Electric Cooperative in Culpeper.
The award, which highlights an electric utility who has best demonstrated achievements in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace, saw REC take the win home.
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Achievements of REC cited during the awards presentation includes their work with the Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD) by participating in the development of their DE&I roadmap.
The Cooperative has also received certification through Virginia Values Veterans (V3), a Virginia Department of Veterans services program, created to educate and train employers on how to connect with personnel assets to maximise the productivity of the workforce.
Speaking on the behalf of REC and receiving the award was Peter Muhoro, REC’s Chief Strategy Technology and Innovation Officer, who has been with the company since 2020, discussing how any plan for diversity within the workforce has to start from the top.
“DEI is about our core values. Not only at the executive level, but also for the Board of Directors … because if you have a plan from the top, no matter what barriers (you go up against), you will have a plan.”
During the presentation, REC was also recognised for their accessibility functions, including a website which is accessible for visually and hearing-impaired users.
DE&I for leadership
Muhoro also cited insight from REC’s President and CEO Dr John Hewa, who commented, “At REC, diversity means difference.
“Every person here brings unique experiences that, when combined, contribute to REC as a team being positioned as the leaders that we are in the electric utility industry.”
Giving his advice to leaders in the electric sector, Muhoro cited three key pieces of advice:
“Surround yourself with people who light up when you walk in, because this is how one knows they’re doing something right.
“Second; slow is the fastest way to get somewhere – don’t rush. Some of us want to rush in but this does not get done overnight.
“Lastly, the top of every mountain is the bottom of the next – keep climbing.”
Originally published on power-grid.com
