Chip Jakins, CEO of Carroll Electric Membership Cooperative, was named as the top CEO communicator in the nation for outstanding leadership and communication strategies in Nashville, during the Cooperative Communicators Association’s recent annual conference.
The CCA’s “CEO Outstanding Communicator Award” was presented to Jakins for his continued efforts to improve Carroll EMC Members’ experiences through multiple channels of communication. He has spearheaded the cooperative’s use of social media, mass media, various billing options, events and facility changes to reach out to its members. The company measures these successes through external surveys and evaluations reported through the American Customer Satisfaction Index.
Among the competition were more well-known cooperatives such as REI, Land O’ Lakes, Nationwide Insurance and others. “This is recognition for the great strides we've made in improving our communication with each other and with our members,” Jakins said in an email. “Receiving this award is a great start for our growing communication efforts.”
Carroll EMC also received a first place award in the CCA’s communications contest for its energy efficiency video “Co-op Crashers,” which shows homeowners how they can make improvements to their houses to save energy and money. It can be viewed through the coop’s website or on YouTube.
The video will also be available soon on DVD.
“It makes our jobs much easier having a CEO who understands the importance of communication to our company,” said Jay Gill in an email, Communications and Public Relations Manager for Carroll EMC. “In today’s information age these efforts are critical to any business, especially a not-for-profit cooperative.”
Cooperative Communicators Association is a non-profit organization of 350 professionals who communicate for cooperatives. The organization was founded more than 60 years ago and aims to improve the skills and effectiveness of all cooperative communicators. CCA began awarding the “CEO Outstanding Communicator Award” in 1992 to recognize the commitment of cooperative CEOs who emphasize communications as an integral part of an effective management style, according to their website.
Carroll EMC is a Member-owned cooperative providing electricity to more than 50,000 homes and businesses. The co-op serves members in Carroll, Haralson, Heard, Paulding, Polk, Troup and Floyd counties. For more information about Carroll EMC, visit the cooperative’s website.
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