The Next Greatest Thing

Go behind the scenes with LaDonna Holman as she shares what it takes to keep payroll, accounting, and member services running smoothly at Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative. From her 12-year journey with the co-op to the family culture that makes it all worthwhile, this episode highlights the people and purpose behind the scenes.

Go behind the scenes with AVECC lineman Eric Shelton as he shares what really happens when the lights go out. From storm restorations and safety tips to the heart behind the job, this episode offers a new appreciation for the crews working to keep the power on.

Long hours. Mountain backroads. Storm calls at midnight. Meet Landon Blair and hear why serving his community as a journeyman lineman is more than a career, it’s a calling.

Get the latest on how WAVE Rural Connect is expanding service, improving reliability, and helping rural families and businesses stay connected like never before. In this episode, James Ratterree shares what’s changed over the past year, how members are really using their internet today, and what’s ahead for the future of fiber in our communities. Tune in to hear how local service, real support, and smarter connectivity are making a difference across the River Valley. 

What makes Paris, Arkansas such a special place to live, work, and visit? In this episode, Paris Chamber of Commerce Director Tanya Fletcher shares how community pride, local leadership, and small-town collaboration are helping shape the future of Logan County. From the iconic Eiffel Tower Park to festivals, tourism, and downtown revitalization, discover why so many people love Paris.

Go behind the scenes with Wave Rural Connect’s Marketing Coordinator, James Ratteree, as he shares the journey of building a rural broadband brand from the ground up and what it means to truly serve a community. From connecting thousands of customers across the River Valley to life on the road and beyond, this episode offers a personal look at the people, purpose and passion powering WAVE today.

We sit down with Jessica Wills to talk about her new role as a Member Service Specialist and the behind-the-scenes work that helps keep the cooperative running smoothly. From growing up in a cooperative family to serving members through billing, community, and connection, Jessica shares why teamwork and a family-oriented culture matter most. You’ll also get to know the person beyond the desk—musician, baker, dog mom, and proud River Valley resident.

Winter weather can be unpredictable, but being prepared makes all the difference. In this episode, we walk through how to get ready before a winter storm, what to do if the power goes out, and how Arkansas Valley Electric works to safely restore power. Simple tips, safety reminders, and peace of mind—straight from your cooperative.

From construction coordination to warehouse management, Debbie Copsey has worn many hats at AVECC, and she’s loved every minute. Join us as she talks about embracing challenges, finding her place in the cooperative family, and balancing her fast-paced days with a passion for books. 

Join us as we sit down with AVECC’s 2025 Employee of the Year, Rick Radley. Rick shares the stories, surprises, and behind-the-scenes moments that shaped his career and the cooperative he proudly calls home. 

Thanksgiving is all about family, food, and… high energy bills? In this episode, discover simple ways to cut back on energy use in the kitchen and around the house—without sacrificing your holiday traditions. Tune in for quick, practical tips to save money and make your Thanksgiving more energy-smart. NOTE: This episode was adapted from an article originally published by Mitch Ross, the Energy Efficiency Manager at Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation.

Lisa Freeman shares her 20-year journey at Arkansas Valley Electric as a payment processing specialist. She explains the behind-the-scenes role her department plays in keeping members’ accounts running smoothly and reflects on the teamwork that shines during outages. Lisa also opens up about her love for cooking, baking, and music, showing how giving back is at the heart of everything she does.

Arkansas Valley Electric's beloved mascot celebrates a milestone! 

In this episode of The Next Greatest Thing, listeners get to know Logan Haberer, IT Analyst at Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative. Logan shares how his work supports employees across the co-op—from troubleshooting technology to implementing 3D printing solutions—while also reflecting on his roots, small-town life, and the family atmosphere that makes AVECC a special place to work.

In this episode, Brandon Fisher and Lauren Robinson discuss the Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative’s 5th Annual Arkansas Children’s Hospital Golf Tournament. What began with personal experiences at Arkansas Children’s Hospital has evolved into a cherished tradition that unites employees, retirees, and vendors in support of a meaningful cause. 

Waldron Lineman, Dalton Dozier, shares how his uncle influenced him to become a lineman, about his time working storm restorations in Louisiana, and about the hobby he shares with his father and son. 

This year's Arkansas YLC representative is Allison Ober, a senior from Lamar High School. Allison talks with guest host, Emily Reames, about her time spent exploring Washington D.C., learning about how NRECA serves cooperatives nationwide, and the impact cooperatives have on rural America. 

Ruthie, Addison, and Gracie worked this summer with the Multimedia department, learning and honing their skills as future marketers and creatives. Sit with them as they look back on their summer of cooperative fun. 

In this episode of The Next Greatest Thing, we sit down with Josh Parker on his 43rd birthday to learn more about the man behind the numbers at Arkansas Valley Electric. Josh shares how his work in payroll and revenue ensures fairness for members, his love of gaming and good coffee, and how community drives everything he does. It’s a fun and thoughtful look at the personal and professional side of one of the co-op’s dedicated team members.

Each year, AVECC crews treat rights-of-way with herbicide treatment.  AVECC right-of-way superintendent, Chris Tedford and expert in herbicide sprays, Tim Jesus, manager of R & E Forestry, Inc.  explain the process, the reasons, and debunk common misconceptions about herbicide treatments. 

Right-of-way crewman, Sonny Bowman, shares about his duties at the cooperative, his passion for hunting, and his favorite places to visit in the AVECC service territory

In this episode of The Next Greatest Thing, seasoned guest Shawn King returns to share crucial electrical safety tips for homeowners, farmers, and storm prep. From navigating aging wiring and DIY pitfalls to protecting your barn from curious critters and preparing for disasters, Shawn delivers practical advice that could save a life—or at least your coffee maker. Whether you're rewiring a room or riding out a storm, this episode is your electrifying reminder to stay safe and smart.

The Call and Annie's House of Hope are making a difference in the River Valley one child at a time. We talk with Leslie Maddox of The Call and Marilyn Sanders, the executive director of Arkansas Children's Advocacy about their mission, it's needs, and how even one home can make a lifelong impact. 

Meet Penny Baker, a Member Services Team Lead at AVECC. Hear about Penny's 17 years with the co-op, her role in ensuring members receive excellent local service, and get to know her personal side, including her love for hiking and baking.   

Join "The Next Greatest Thing" as we chat with Jason Kelly, Arkansas Valley Electric's new Construction Superintendent, about his 30-year career in line work and his transition to office life. Jason shares insights on coordinating crews, managing communication, and the importance of patience during power outages. Beyond work, we explore his passion for hunting, especially turkey season, and the family tradition of linemen. Discover the dedication and lifestyle required to keep the lights on straight from the field to the office.

Wave Rural Connect has some exciting news! Listen to today's podcast to learn more about the fiber build out, new services and more! 

Guest host Emily Reames talks with Wave Rural Connect Fiber Technician John Mobley about his role in keeping the community connected. John shares insights into the challenges of troubleshooting outages and the importance of reliable internet service, highlighting WAVE's commitment to its members.

Today, we share the story of how Arkansas Valley Electric partnered with a North Carolina cooperative to provide aid after Hurricane Helene's devastating impact. Listen to firsthand accounts of the destruction and the powerful community response, showcasing the cooperative principle of 'concern for community' in action.

Brooke Becker celebrates five years at the cooperative, shares her new role responsibilities as one of the new billing specialists, stories of motherhood, and her favorite destination spot to go fishing. 

Barret Ewing  takes us behind thescenes of his position as the AVECC Director of Engineering and Operations. He shares his passion for the cooperative, and his vision for the future.

Cindy Bowman talks about her reaction to winning Employee of the Year, her passion for plants, love for cattle, and much more on today's episode of The Next Greatest Thing! 

Three AVECC Linemen share their experiences traveling to Florida and Georgia in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. They talk about the damage they worked through, living conditions, the challenges of leaving loved ones behind, and the cooperative spirit through it all. 

Staking Superintendent Kenneth Wilbanks shares his role in the staking department, his privilege of working with cooperative members, and his passion for sports. 

Serviceman Kendall Ward knew his career at AVECC would last a lifetime. Kendall shares his journey becoming a lineman, and much more in this month's Getting To Know episode! 

Want to keep your co-op account safe from hackers? Join us as we discuss essential cybersecurity tips with AVECC's IT experts. Learn how to create strong passwords, spot phishing scams, and discover what your co-op is doing to protect our employees and you! 

Stacie Howe was recently named the AVECC Human Resources Supervisor. We talk with Stacie about her new role, her history with the cooperative, and why fall is her favorite season of the year. 

Kendell Friemel and Ruthie Qualls share their experiences as Multimedia interns for the cooperative, their plans for their future, and their dream podcast guest to interview. 

This month, lineman, Matt Larimore celebrates 25 years serving his local community as a cooperative lineman. In today's episode, Matt shares how he started as a summer intern three days after graduating high school, and ultimately turned that experience into a lifelong career. Congrats, Matt! 

Drayke Boen, Katherine Wright, and Tegan Stimac join us to unveil their newfound insights into electric cooperatives, Tegan’s sweet tea depravity, the girls’ quest to collect trading pins from every state, and the life-changing moments that made their Youth Tour experience unforgettable. 

Sierra Cowens is now in a new role at the cooperative. Learn about her new position, how it affects cooperative members, and whether or not she prefers tacos or BBQ! 

Right-of-Way Superintendent Chris Tedford talks about how ROW benefits members, how ROW crews are trained and why linemen crews use chainsaws in bucket trucks. 

Pools,  barns and yards. What do they all have in common? They all use electricity! It's important to ensure that you are staying safe when working with electricity. AVECC System Coordinator (and past employee of the year) Shawn King sits down to discuss some electrical safety tips. 

Executive secretary, Larhonda Melton reminisces about her years in service to the cooperative, and shares some exciting news. 

AMR Coordinator, Kevin McGuire joins the podcast to talk about his time working in dispatch and with meters at the cooperative, AND his passion outside of work. And you'll never guess what it is! 

AVECC Engineering Manager and AVECC Systems Engineer, Samantha Renard discuss the recently awarded $18 million  smart grid grant and how it will ultimately change the rural River Valley communities for the better. 

Garon Taylor is a lineman for the Van Buren District who has a passion for all things outdoors. We talk with Garon about his position at the cooperative, his love of hunting, and how he felt about being named AVECC 2023 Pole Top Rescue Champion. 

Women's roles in cooperatives and society have drastically changed over the past 86 years. Those roles continue to evolve as moure women encourage others to pursue roles that inevitably shape the future of rural electric cooperatives and communities worldwide. 

Member Services Representative, Audreia Qualls loves the cooperative and everything it stands for. She grew up hearing about the co-op from her dad, who served as a linemen for 35 years. Now, she's serving her community. Audreia talks about her daily life as an MSR, her love of sports, books, and more. 

Brandon Fisher sits down with AVECC engineering manager Chris Howe, Dispatch Manager, John Yates, and former Operations Manager, Don Easom to discuss the behind-the-scenes of an outage. This episode was originally a two-part series published in 2021.