October is National Co-op Month, a time to celebrate what makes electric cooperatives like Lumbee River EMC unique. Unlike investor-owned utilities, we’re member-owned and locally controlled. That means our focus is on serving you, our members, neighbors, and communities, not shareholders.

At Lumbee River EMC, purpose drives everything we do. From investing in infrastructure upgrades to responding quickly during outages, we’re committed to delivering reliable, affordable electricity and supporting the communities we serve.

We’re proud to be your cooperative, and this month, we thank you for the trust you place in us. You’re not just a customer, you’re a member, and that makes all the difference. To celebrate Co-op Month, we asked our employees to share what this cooperative means to them and how their work makes a difference in the members lives we serve:

Zyra Leak, Member Services Supervisor,

“Being part of this cooperative means being part of a mission-driven family. For more than 17 years, I’ve worked to live out our mission “to be the light that empowers our communities.” From my start as a representative to my 8+ years as a supervisor, I’ve learned that true service is about listening, supporting, and leading with compassion. It has also taught me the importance of developing people, improving processes, and keeping our members at the center of every decision. Those lessons have shaped me not only as a supervisor but also as a leader preparing for greater responsibility in the future.”

Trevor Jacobs, Fiber GIS Specialist,

“My work as the Fiber GIS Specialist helps in different ways throughout the cooperative that most members don’t see. I maintain our Fiber GIS database that contains information about our fiber assets in the field and where they are located. This helps with locating equipment and cables, and shows our current service areas. This can help members by assisting in locating and troubleshooting issues that they may be experiencing, such as outages, as well as helping plan the expansion of our fiber network to reach members we don’t currently serve. With the growing capabilities of GIS technology, I am hopeful that the impact and uses for it will grow as well.

Emily Deese, Energy Services Specialist,

“Working for a member-owned cooperative makes me proud because every choice we make is centered around the people we serve. Our members are part of our own community, and it’s meaningful to know that my efforts benefit them directly.”