Kelly Hester, Communications & Corporate Events Coordinator for Carroll Electric Membership Cooperative, was honored with the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives® 2018 Brand Champion award May 9 at the CONNECT Conference in Salt Lake City, UT.

This award honors brand advocates that embody Touchstone Energy’s core values of innovation, integrity, accountability and commitment to community, while making exceptional contributions to building the brand on a local, regional and national level.

Hester currently serves on the national Touchstone Energy Cooperative Relations Advisory Committee. Her enthusiasm and creativity in helping others implement TEC programs has made her a true ambassador of the brand, and her dedication in this role has influenced other co-ops in Georgia and across the country. Kelly used these resources to develop marketing and communication tools that help Carrol EMC’s member-owners become more educated on steps they can take to improve energy efficiency and reduce electricity use for improved efficiency.

“Kelly is a critical member of our team and the electric co-op industry,” said Jay Gill, Vice President of Communications & Economic Development for Carroll EMC. “She lives the cooperative principles and it shows in her work and interpersonal relationships. I’m not surprised by her nomination as a Brand Champion as she represents all the values and resources that we all hold dear from Touchstone Energy. This award is well deserved, and Kelly Hester has a very bright future in our industry.”

Touchstone Energy Cooperatives (www.touchstoneenergy.com) is a national brand and network of electric cooperatives across 47 states that provides resources and leverages partnerships to help member-cooperatives and their employees better engage and serve their members. By working together, Touchstone Energy cooperatives stand as a source of power and information to their 32 million member-owners every day.

Carroll EMC is a Member-owned cooperative providing electricity to approximately 50,000 homes and businesses. The co-op serves Members in Carroll, Haralson, Heard, Paulding, Polk and Troup counties. This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. For more information visit the cooperative’s website at carrollemc.com or follow Carroll EMC on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram and LinkedIn. Carroll EMC: Community Built. Community Builder.