Brad Kimbro Joins Pioneer Board

Wiregrass Electric Cooperative CEO Brad Kimbro has accepted an appointment to the Board of Directors of Pioneer Utility Resources to champion the storytelling and other needs of Utility Pioneers in the Southeast U.S., District 7.

“Brad Kimbro and Wiregrass Electric are unquestioned trailblazers in cooperative communications. I know he’ll be a great asset on the board and keep us focused on member needs,” Pioneer CEO Michael Shepard said. “Thank you for being willing to represent the voice of Utility Pioneers and to serve as a steward of the cooperative.”

“I support the vision and mission of this organization and believe in the priorities and goals of Pioneer Utility Resources,” Kimbro said. “As a longtime partner, I know the value this organization can truly bring. Pioneer has the muscle and horsepower to help a utility take its marketing, communications and public relations efforts to a new level.”

Based in Hartford, Alabama, Wiregrass Electric provides electric service to more than 19,000 consumer-members in six counties. Pioneer assists WEC with its ongoing communications campaigns, website, social media, annual meeting and the local pages of Alabama Living magazine.

“The Pioneer leadership and staff are some of the most knowledgeable, caring, helpful and professional people in the business,” Kimbro said. “Partnering with Pioneer can help an organization operate with the utmost efficiency, launch campaigns and communications programs that lead the industry, provide the most professional staff assistance in the business and make the most of overall excellence in strategic thinking to allow any organization to be tremendously successful.”

Kimbro was selected from a pool of three nominees to fill the unexpired term of Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative CEO John Bartley. Bartley stepped down after serving Utility Pioneers since his election in 2020 and following his recent election to the board of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation.

“John was the right board member at the right time,” Shepard said. “He joined the board as it was working toward its second major acquisition in three months and as the COVID-19 pandemic was raging. His steady hand and deep knowledge of finance, mergers and acquisitions were just what we needed.”

After completing the term vacated by Bartley, Kimbro will stand for election to a full three-year term at Pioneer’s 2024 annual meeting.

“John brought unique and highly valuable perspective to the Pioneer board. We’ll miss his contributions greatly, but wish him well has he joins the CFC Board and continues with his other endeavors,” Pioneer Board Chairperson Scott Peters said. “We’re excited to have Brad join us. He brings decades of communications, co-op and community leadership to the table.”

The nine-member board, elected by the communication co-op’s members, represents the voices of 200-plus community-owned utilities, state associations and broadband providers across the United States.

Meet Brad Kimbro

District 7, Southeast

Kimbro joined Wiregrass Electric Cooperative in 2006. Until his promotion to general manager, Kimbro was the utility’s COO, responsible for the company’s marketing, public relations, communications, customer service, energy services, compliance and safety departments as well as economic and community development.

He was director of member services from 2006-2013. During his tenure, he oversaw communications during the cooperative’s conversion to an automated metering system and developed a unique partnership with Habitat for Humanity for weatherization of homes for low-income families and individuals. Kimbro also successfully pursued Alabama’s first pilot project for a community-based energy efficiency program between an electric cooperative and the state Department of Economic and Community Affairs.

Kimbro led efforts to establish and implement the cooperative’s charitable foundation, known as the Operation Round Up Foundation, and is also heavily involved in WEC’s partnership with Troy Cable/C-Spire.

He has earned numerous certifications, awards and acknowledgements in management, planning, economic development, communication and public relations from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Alabama Rural Electric Cooperative Association and other utility industry organizations. Originally from Brantley, Alabama, he graduated in 1991 from Troy University, where he majored in business administration and marketing.

“I am so honored to be serving on this board and I look forward to being a small part in helping Pioneer Utility Resources continue to provide the absolute best in professional communication, public relations and marketing excellence,” Kimbro said.

Utility Pioneers Lead Our Co-op

As a utility-owned communications cooperative, Pioneer Utility Resources depends on members to guide the co-op. Pioneer’s Board of Directors meets throughout the year to oversee the co-op’s strategic plan and financial health.

The board expanded from seven seats to nine members in 2023 to better represent Pioneer’s growing membership base. The board includes three at-large positions representing all Utility Pioneers and six seats serving specific regions. Before expanding the board, two membership campaigns helped utilities new to Pioneer learn about the benefits of joining the communications and marketing co-op.