Electric Co-op Today

Nearly 1,000 electric co-op leaders converged on Denver this month for the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation Forum 2009.

Dana Perino, a former White House press secretary, speaks at the CFC Forum 2009. (Photo By: P.J. Barbour)

They heard from a bevy of speakers including former White House press secretary Dana Perino, who called on co-ops to work with local media and embrace new forms of communication, including Facebook and Twitter.

“You have a very strong collective voice and I urge you to raise it,” said Perino, now a Fox News contributor.

Noting that consumer-members “are not nameless and faceless people to you” but rather “your family members…your neighbors…your children’s teachers,” Perino added, “Your work to stick up for them is different. This is not just about business for you. This is personal.”

Also during the forum, Sheldon C. Petersen, CFC governor and CEO, said the CFC Member Capital Securities program has been successful at helping to meet borrowing needs.

Petersen said it sends “a positive message to investors and the rating agencies that the cooperative business model is strong.”

Tags: Business and Finance, National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation, News Roundup