From the Top — April 2024 | OEC News

Last month, OEC and OEC Fiber were awarded the Large Business of the Year by the Norman Chamber of Commerce. This accolade is a profound acknowledgment of our entire team’s hard work and dedication. Each member of our workforce, from those in the field to our member service associates, has played a vital role in taking care of our members and subscribers.

It’s rewarding to be recognized by our community, especially since the true essence of our excellence lies in being reliable to the point of being taken for granted. The lights go on, and unless there’s an outage, it’s not something you actively think about – but it’s always there, thanks to our team’s efforts.

Our board, embodying our core value of leadership, shares in this honor. However, I firmly believe that excellence springs from the collective action of all employees, doing their jobs in extraordinary ways.

What sets us apart is the significance of our work. In a profit-driven world, our cooperative perspective is about more than the bottom line; it’s about genuinely serving our members and subscribers. That mission provides an edge, making our jobs rewarding and fostering a culture where financial success translates into tangible benefits for our members, like lower rates and better service.

Our ‘people-first’ philosophy extends internally, where we focus on creating an environment where employees feel valued and appreciated. This approach is fundamental to providing superior service. When our employees are engaged, passionate and feel cared for, they, in turn, take exceptional care of our members and subscribers.

Speaking of employee appreciation, Lineworker Appreciation Day is April 18. Let’s take a moment to thank our lineworkers for their remarkable work in ensuring that our community has reliable access to electricity. They perform critical and hazardous work, especially during extreme weather or emergencies. Their dedication is essential to the comfort and convenience we enjoy every day. If you see a lineworker this month, show your appreciation. Learn more on page 6.

Our DNA is centered around serving others, and that includes taking care of our own team. By making the well-being and growth of our team a priority, we’re able to create a culture where the work not only gets done but is done exceptionally well. We will continue to support and empower each other with the same spirit of service that defines us.