Co-op Conversations with DEMCO

In this episode of Co-op Conversations with DEMCO, host David Latona sits down with Chief Corporate Services Officer Russchelle Overhultz to explore the many careers at DEMCO, from engineering and operations to finance, technology, member services and more. Russchelle also shares her own career journey and talks about the different paths that can lead to DEMCO, opportunities to learn and grow, and what makes someone a good fit for a cooperative career.

In this episode of Co-op Conversations with DEMCO, David Latona sits down with Eric Ouber, Manager of System Operations, for a behind-the-scenes look at how DEMCO prepares for severe weather long before the first raindrop falls.

Learn how the cooperative monitors storms, activates its Emergency Response Plan, coordinates crews and contractors, and uses advanced technology to track outages and restore power as safely and efficiently as possible. Eric also answers some of the questions members ask most during major weather events, including why crews may appear to drive past outages, how restoration priorities are determined, and what happens inside DEMCO's Control Center during a storm.

Whether you're preparing for hurricane season or simply curious about how power is restored, this episode offers an inside look at the planning, teamwork, and technology that help keep the lights on for more than 120,000 DEMCO members.

In this episode of Co-op Conversations with DEMCO, host David Latona sits down with Chief Financial Officer Peggy Maranan to discuss how DEMCO manages costs, pursues competitive grant funding, and invests in the long-term reliability of the electric system.

Learn how a recently awarded $3.3 million vegetation management project—supported by more than $2.2 million in federal and state funding—will help strengthen the electric system while reducing costs that would otherwise be shared by DEMCO's member-owners.

Peggy also explains how DEMCO's not-for-profit cooperative business model guides financial decisions, why vegetation management is one of the most important investments in system reliability, and how securing outside funding helps preserve resources for additional reliability improvements across the communities we serve.

In this episode of Co-op Conversations with DEMCO, David Latona sits down with Carl Westbrook, GIS Manager, and Dusty Guarino, GIS Specialist, to discuss how DEMCO manages and maintains the digital map of its entire electrical system. From power lines and poles to transformers and meters, the GIS team works behind the scenes to ensure the system accurately reflects what’s happening in the field. Learn how accurate mapping improves operational efficiency, supports faster outage response, strengthens storm restoration efforts, and helps DEMCO deliver reliable service to members every day.

In this episode of Co-op Conversations with DEMCO, we’re joined by linemen Michael Welborn and serviceman Ashton to explain how capacitor banks help keep your power steady and reliable, what our crews look for during systemwide inspections, and how devices like reclosers work to protect the grid.

You’ll also learn how to tell the difference between an issue inside your home and something on our system—and we break down what’s normal, what’s not, and when to give us a call.

In this episode of Co-op Conversations with DEMCO, host David Latona sits down with District Manager Cody Glascock to take you behind the scenes of a “day in the life” of the crews who keep your power on.

You’ll also hear about the work members don’t see, the mindset it takes to do the job safely, and the dedication of local crews who are ready to respond at a moment’s notice.

Cody shares what it really takes to keep the system running—long before an outage ever occurs.

Winter Storm Fern brought snow, freezing rain and high winds that led to nearly a million power outages across 19 states earlier this year. Atmospheric conditions in several states caused ice buildup that brought down trees and branches and caused massive ice loading on power lines. And when Winter Storm Fern moved through Louisiana, DEMCO crews answered the call to help restore power beyond our service area.

In this episode of Co-op Conversations with DEMCO, host David Latona sits down with District Manager Andy Graham and Lineman Justin Andrews, who recently returned from assisting Northeast Louisiana Power Cooperative through the electric cooperative mutual aid network.

They share what it’s like to get the call, prepare to deploy, and work long days in freezing conditions on a system that isn’t their own. From safety briefings and equipment staging to meeting host crews and navigating unfamiliar lines, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at storm restoration from the men in the field.

You’ll hear how different types of storms create different challenges, why safety is part of every decision, and what cooperative mutual aid truly means for electric cooperatives.

It’s a candid conversation about the preparation, coordination, and teamwork required to restore power — and what it means to serve as part of an electric cooperative.

In this episode of Co-op Conversations with DEMCO, host David Latona is joined by Rhowanda “Rho” Vessel, DEMCO’s Community Relations Coordinator, to talk about the DEMCO Foundation and the vital role it plays in supporting co-op members during times of need.

Rho explains how the Foundation works, the types of assistance it provides, and how small contributions from members add up to meaningful help for neighbors across our service area. You’ll also hear about the careful review process behind each request, emergency assistance, school uniform and scholarship programs, and the lasting impact of members helping members.

This episode highlights the cooperative spirit at the heart of DEMCO—where local people come together to support one another when it matters most. 

In this episode of Co-op Conversations with DEMCO, host David Latona sits down with Galen Dunbar, DEMCO’s Chief Member Services Officer, to talk about how DEMCO is making it easier than ever to connect with your cooperative.

You’ll hear how DEMCO’s new cloud-based phone system improves every call — with features like call-back options, a Spanish-language menu, and an integrated platform that unites phone, chat, and email history in one place. The result? Faster, smoother, and more personal service for every member.

Discover how DEMCO’s Member Services and IT teams worked together to launch technology that keeps local service at the heart of every interaction — ensuring members always reach a friendly, informed voice ready to help.

To learn more or contact Member Services, visit DEMCO.org/Contact or call 844-MyDEMCO.

When storms hit, members want one thing most: power restored quickly and safely. Right-of-way (ROW) maintenance is one of the most important — and often unseen — ways DEMCO makes that possible.

In this episode of Co-op Conversations with DEMCO, host David Latona talks with Sam Rosso, DEMCO’s Manager of Lands & Right of Way, about how clearing vegetation around poles and lines gives crews the access they need to respond faster after storms. You’ll hear why DEMCO follows a six-year maintenance cycle, how helicopter trimming helps, and what role members play when debris is left behind.

Even though Louisiana weather will always bring down trees and limbs, ROW maintenance reduces risks, improves reliability, and helps restoration efforts move faster and safer when outages do occur.

If you’ve ever wondered why DEMCO trims trees, uses helicopters, or clears paths around lines, this episode explains how those efforts protect your power and keep our crews — and you — safe.