April 25, 2018
Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative has named Jim Lovinggood as president and CEO. Lovinggood assumed the role in February 2018 and is only the third person to hold the utility’s top position during its 77-year history. His predecessor, Charles Dalton, served in that position from 1982 until his retirement in January 2018.
Lovinggood has been an integral part of Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative over the past thirty-six years. He was the second employee Dalton hired in 1982 and most recently served as the cooperative’s vice president of engineering. During Lovinggood’s tenure, he has evolved through the organizational structure holding several positions within the co-op.
“We didn’t need to look very far to arrive at the individual we see as best suited take this co-op into the future,” said Kenneth Southerlin, chairman of the Blue Ridge board of directors. “Jim has a proven record as a tireless and productive employee. My fellow directors and I are full of enthusiasm for Jim’s success in this new role and believe in his ability to keep Blue Ridge moving in a positive direction.”
“I am honored by the boards confidence in me, and I am thrilled to continuing working alongside the dedicated and talented team at Blue Ridge,” Lovinggood said. “Operationally, we will continue to be member-driven and deliver reliable service from our highly trained workforce. In addition, we will remain very active in giving back to our community, especially through our annual fundraising event, Blue Ridge Fest.”
Lovinggood currently serves on several boards including Anderson University Board of Visitors, Central Electric Power Cooperative, Cooperative Electric Energy Utility Supply, The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina, New Horizon Electric Cooperative and Tri-County Technical College Foundation. In addition, he is a member of the Anderson Rotary Club.
About Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative
Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative, Inc., established in 1940, is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric distribution utility that services about 66,000 members in the upstate of South Carolina. The cooperative supplies electric service in Anderson, Greenville, Oconee, Pickens, and Spartanburg counties. Blue Ridge started operations with 1,680 members inherited from the South Carolina Rural Electrification Authority, which was formed more than 80 years ago with the specific task of electrifying the state’s rural areas.