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The Value of Co-op CareersMESSAGE FROM GENERAL MANAGER, KERRY KELTON

THE COOPERATIVE BUSINESS MODEL serves both an economic and a social purpose. Mid-South Synergy operates on a nonprofit basis so that we can pass along the best electric rates to you, our members. In addition to providing this service, we care about our members and the communities we serve, and we want you to be involved in our business. At Mid-South Synergy, our employees believe in the cooperative difference.

Over the next several years, our country will see a major shift in the professional landscape. Many businesses are already noticing this change as the Baby Boomer generation moves into retirement and their children and grandchildren—the “millennial” generation—begin to move into the workforce and advance in their careers.

The millennial generation is the largest population of adults to move into the workforce since the Baby Boomers. They are highly educated and, after weathering a recession while trying to break into the workforce, they are motivated by the ability to gain work experience that can turn into a meaningful and rewarding career.

Many great co-op programs out there focus on youth education and engagement. What all of these programs have in common, no matter how big or small, is that electric cooperatives come together for a common cause—not only to teach our youths about the cooperative difference, but also to give them the opportunity to see and reach their potential.

Driven by values and attracted to a company’s strong mission and culture over salary and compensation, millennials are uniquely suited for careers at their local electric cooperative. Mid-South Synergy’s dedication to our community and our focus on people, not profits, make it an ideal work environment for such individuals seeking to develop meaningful careers.

Simultaneously, within the next five years, 20 percent of America’s electric cooperative employees will be eligible for retirement. We are looking to future generations to move us forward, and to help us prepare for an evolving global economy and the changes that will come with new policies and regulations, both in the environmental and security sectors. We need people who will help us do this while ensuring that we remain true to our mission: providing safe, reliable and affordable electric service, and improving the quality of life for our members.

Building and strengthening our community has always been our top priority. Building the next generation of employees is now critical to maintaining the success of our mission and our business model. To learn more about electric co-op careers, visit www.midsouthsynergy.com/careers or careers.touchstoneenergy.coop.

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If It’s Not in Use, Turn Off the JuiceHow Saving Energy Saves You More Than Money

REDUCING HOUSEHOLD ENERGY use doesn’t require walking around your house wearing extra sweaters and earmuffs in winter, or stripping down to the bare essentials in summer. It means being smarter about managing the energy you do use.

Consider Mid-South Synergy your trusted resource for exploring energy-saving strategies. Nonprofit, member-owned electric co-ops want to help their member-owners make the most of every kilowatt-hour they purchase.

Energy efficiency means performing the same job and getting a similar outcome using less energy. This efficiency is often achieved through a mechanical change, such as replacing an older, less efficient appliance with a new model. Sometimes a minor change of habit is all that’s needed, such as dimming lights or washing clothes in cold water instead of hot.

Benefits of Energy Efficiency and ConservationSo why are energy conservation and energy efficiency more

important than ever to our members? What are the benefits? The short answers are that energy reduction in your home 1) saves you money; 2) improves our economy by enabling consumers and businesses to spend and invest in other areas; and 3) reduces the amount of pollution emitted from power generation.

The more complex answer is that modern life means we are increasing demands on all forms of energy. Consumers are more reliant on devices, computers, phones (with charging stations), sophisticated media/home entertainment and video gaming systems, and “smart” technology—all of which rely on electricity. The wide array of new electronic devices is improving our quality of life, and electric co-ops are promoting efficiency to bring new conveniences at a lower cost.

Energy Efficiency: The “First Fuel”In this period of rapidly changing technology, Americans are increasingly aware of the need to reduce energy consumption. Many now call energy savings the “first fuel” because the easiest way to reduce fuel cost and carbon emissions is to save energy. Energy is a valuable commodity, and while the discussions over climate change and carbon footprints continue, we must all do our part to conserve this precious resource.

Using less energy may even boost the economy by relieving the ever-tightening family budget, allowing dollars to be spent on more tangible goods.

Americans have demonstrated a willingness to take steps toward reducing their energy consumption, both to save money and out of concern for the environment. According to the January 2014 Nielsen U.S. Consumer Energy Sentiments Report, 91 percent of consumers are willing to change their energy-use behavior to save money on energy costs. The same report indicates that 77 percent would change their behavior out of concern for the environment.

Your Electric Co-op Can Help You Use Less ElectricityConsumers recognize that conserving energy and becoming more energy efficient are the smart (and right) things to do. But they are also looking for guidance on just how to do that. Electric co-ops are great local resources to help consumers identify ways to save energy and control costs.

The first step in this process is easy: Simply reach out to us for help with taking control of your own energy use, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving the ideal balance of efficiency and conservation. In turn, you will help yourself, your community and the environment—and that benefits all of us.

For information on how you can be more energy efficient, visit www.midsouthsynergy.com/energysavings

Sometimes a minor change of habit can help save energy, like washing clothes in cold water instead of hot.

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BUILDINGTOMORROW’S FUTUREBy Eric Hubbard

“WE CANNOT ALWAYS BUILD THE FUTURE FOR OUR YOUTH, BUT WE CAN BUILD OUR YOUTH FOR THE FUTURE.” These are the words of former President Franklin D. Roosevelt from an address he gave at the University of Pennsylvania back in 1940. Four years after President Roosevelt signed the Rural Electrification Act, he began to press how important the youth are in our society and for the future of our country. It’s this very principle and belief that led Mid-South Synergy to participate in an Educator Externship pilot program sponsored by the Texas Workforce Commission and the Brazos Valley Community and Business Leaders Partnership (CBLP).

Their mission statement; simple. To identify, educate, train, and place new and returning workers. The main goal of the CBLP is to enhance and develop a responsive system of career education in our area through direct private sector engagement with public partners.

The externship experience helps educators connect their classroom content with their students’ future career interests and helps students develop both the academic and technical skills required in the world in which they are preparing to enter. Mid-South Synergy was able to break in on the ground floor of this program and hosted two local high school teachers, Colleen Holmes, an aquatic

L to R: Senior Manager - Administration Melanie Caballero, Colleen Holmes, Henry de la Garza

BRYAN HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER COLLEEN HOLMES

COLLEEN AND HENRY LEARNING ABOUT TRANSFORMERS FROM SUPERVISOR DAVID B.

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BUILDINGTOMORROW’S FUTURE

versed in that particular area” Holmes said when asked why she chose to participate. “Because of my background [in biology] I wanted more information about water systems and thought I would be able to get that with Mid-South.” On our bus tour through our water service territory, we were able to give Colleen just that. We visited our water department offices in Montgomery, our water station and tower, as well as our wastewater station. Both teachers were able to get an in-depth look into where water is stored and distributed, how water reaches

your home, and how wastewater is cleaned and filtered back into our ecosystem.

Unlike Colleen, Henry de la Garza is brand new to the teaching world having just completed his first full year of teaching. Having a business degree, Henry put that to use by working primarily in the private sector for larger corporations before moving into the culinary industry owning his own restaurant. Originally from the Houston area, Cypress to be exact, he wanted to get out of the hustle and bustle of the big city and move out to the country.

science teacher at Bryan High School and Henry de la Garza, a culinary instructor at Navasota High School. Both were ready and eager to learn not only about our company and culture here at Mid-South, but to learn our industry needs and what exactly we look for in our employees.

Our goal was to give them real life experiences that will help them enhance their teaching curriculums to include relevant material needed for the entry-level workforce in our community, now, and in the future.

A teacher since 1976, Colleen Holmes has been with Bryan I.S.D. for over 35 years, however, this will only be her third year teaching aquatic science. “I chose [this externship] because, I just started teaching aquatic science and I try to get whatever information I can to be more

Senior Water Operator Dale DeLatte teaching Colleen and Henry about our wastewater operations

HENRY TAKING A READING AT OUR WATER PLANT COLLEEN TAKING PICTURES OF OUR WATER DEPT.

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And that he did. Recently moving north to Navasota, Henry was unsure where to go next in his career. “I’ve always had a passion for working with people. Both of my children are educators and thought I would make a great teacher and it just so happened Navasota High had an opening for a culinary instructor.”

Towards the end of this past school year, an email was sent out to all of the teachers at Navasota High outlining this flagship program seeing if anyone would be interested. Being new to teaching, Henry thought he would give it a chance thinking it would be a great opportunity to see what companies in our area look for in applicants. “I was excited – that is my nature” Henry said of his expectations going into the externship. “This being the first time, I didn’t know what to expect, but looked forward to learning more about this business and industry and learning about the people who make this company.

Learning about the utility industry and electric cooperatives was new and exciting for both teachers. Both teachers had an action packed week as they met with employees from every department at Mid-South Synergy as well as took a bus tour throughout our service territory and water service territory and even received a climbing demonstration from our training supervisor, Artis Lawson.

Both Colleen and Henry were able to get an inside look at different positions we offer at Mid-South as well as the skills and qualities we look for when we are hiring new employees. Colleen saw how important it was to be prompt and positive and to be able to work together as a team as well as independently. “The common denominator among all of the employees here at Mid-South is the passion to work and the excitement level to work,” said de la Garza. “There is a work ethic that each employee here has – punctuality, excitement level, teamwork, and flexibility – there are no egos here.”

Both teachers chalked their week with Mid-South up as a truly positive experience and were able to take so much useful information and knowledge back to to utilize in the upcoming school year. “I hope that every chance I get to help and reinforce those skills that I’ve picked up from what I’ve learned here, that I’ll be able to reinforce the necessity of it to [the students]” said Holmes.

All-in-all Mid-South was very pleased with this flagship pilot program and hope that the students taught by both Colleen and Henry will benefit from the experience they had during their time with us. “Through this program, we had the pleasure of getting to know these two educators, who sincerely care for their students, as well as, the opportunity to continue to build relationships within our communities” Senior Manager Administration Melanie Caballero added.

Here at Mid-South Synergy, we are people committed to people. We are people committed to the education of our youth; to shape and grow them for the future, knowing that it will one day be their generation working here at Mid-South Synergy, YOUR electric cooperative.

HENRY LOOKING ON DURING A DEMONSTRATION

BOTH TEACHERS WITH FLEET MANAGER ROCK DONALDSON

MID-SOUTH SYNERGY WATER TOWER

For more photos and video from the teacher externship, visit us on

social media!

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Find this and more delicious recipes online at TEXASCOOPPOWER.COM

© I STO C K .CO M | K C H E L E T T E

Avoid Electrical DangersDuring Harvest Season

Early Texas Pecan Pralines2 cups sugar3/4 cup milk1/2 teaspoon baking soda1 tablespoon butter11/2 teaspoons vainlla11/2 cups pecan halves or pieces

1. Grease a baking sheet or cover with waxed paper.2. Mix sugar, milk and baking soda in a large saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly and scraping the bottom of the pan to prevent scorching. 3. After 12-15 minutes, the syrup mixture will start to thicken and should reach soft-ball stage, about 235-240 degrees on a candy thermometer. If you don’t have a thermometer, drop a small amount of syrup mixture into cold water. If it forms a ball in the water, it has cooked sufficiently.4. Once syprup is ready, remove from heat and add butter and vanilla, mixing until creamy. Stir in pecans until they are thoroughly coated.5. Quickly drop heaping tablespoons of mixture onto baking sheet. Let cool until solid. When cool, place candies in a covered container. They will keep two to three days at room temperature.

Recipe of the Month

FOR NATIONAL FARM SAFETY AND HEALTH WEEK, September 20–26 this year, Mid-South Synergy reminds readers of a tragic story and offers information on how to stay safe.

After working in a field on a neighbor’s farm, a farmer parked his equipment, stepped out of the vehicle as usual—and received a severe electric shock that resulted in his death a few months later. The farmer did not know that his equipment was touching an overhead power line, and he became a path to ground for an electrical current as he set his foot on the ground.

The rush to harvest can result in agricultural workers and farmers working extra-long days with little sleep, which can impair judgment and allow them to forget necessary precautions. Power lines can pose a major hazard for farmers. Typically, power lines over roads and rural areas have a minimum clearance of 18 feet, and 12.5 feet over residential private property.

Before working in a field or around shops or grain bins, always take the time to note the location of power lines so that you can make sure to remain a safe distance from them.To stay safe around overhead power lines, we urge farm operators and workers to:• Always use a spotter when operating large machinery near lines. • Use care when raising augers or the beds of grain trucks around power lines. • Keep equipment at least 10 feet from lines—at all times, in all directions.• Inspect the height of farm equipment to determine clearance.• Always remember to lower extensions to the lowest setting when moving

loads.• Never attempt to move a power line out of the way or raise it for clearance.• If a power line is sagging or low, call the electric cooperative immediately.

If contact is made with a power line, remember that it is almost always safest to stay on the equipment. Make sure to warn others to stay away and call the electric co-op immediately.

The only reason to exit is if the equipment is on fire. If this is the case, jump off the equipment with your feet together, avoiding touching the ground and vehicle at the same time. Then, still keeping your feet together, “bunny hop” away.

If you see someone’s equipment in contact with a power line, the best help you can give is from a safe distance. Make sure to yell out to, signal or call the equipment operator to make sure he remains in the vehicle. Notify the cooperative immediately.

For more information, please visit www.midsouthsynergy.com/synergysolar