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.

From birth through high school, DEMCO is helping shape the future by investing in young people across the communities we serve. In this episode of Co-op Conversations with DEMCO, host David Latona sits down with Chanon Martin, DEMCO’s Member and Community Engagement Manager, to talk about the many youth programs that connect families to their co-op.

You’ll hear how DEMCO supports early literacy through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, brings hands-on electrical safety education to classrooms, and provides high school students with leadership opportunities like the Youth Cooperative Ambassador Program and the annual Essay Contest. Plus, learn about scholarships, class talks, and other ways DEMCO partners with schools to make a lasting impact.

These programs are more than outreach — they reflect DEMCO’s mission to power life and community, today and for generations to come.

To learn more about DEMCO Youth Programs, visit DEMCO.org/Youth-Programs.

In this episode of Co-op Conversations with DEMCO, host David Latona sits down with Ashley Carradine, DEMCO’s Energy Services Coordinator, to talk about easy ways members can reduce their electric use—especially during the hot summer months—without giving up comfort or control.

Ashley explains how much energy typical household appliances use and where you can make the biggest impact. From laundry habits and ceiling fan tricks to tips for managing pool pumps and smart thermostats, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you take control of your energy bill.

You’ll also learn about DEMCO’s Levelized Billing program, which can help you avoid seasonal bill spikes by spreading your usage costs more evenly across the year.

Looking to save even more? Visit DEMCO.org to download your free DIY Home Energy Audit Checklist and explore additional energy-saving resources.

In this episode of Co-op Conversations with DEMCO, host David Latona sits down with Mark Phillips, DEMCO’s Chief Engineering and Operations Officer, to discuss the steps to restoring power after a storm.

You’ll learn how DEMCO restores power in a specific sequence—starting with transmission lines and substations and working all the way down to individual service lines—to ensure the greatest number of members are restored as quickly and safely as possible.

Restoring power is a coordinated, step-by-step process rooted in safety, planning, and service.

Be sure to visit DEMCO.org/StormCenter for hurricane preparedness checklists, safety resources, and outage reporting tips.

In this episode of Co-op Conversations with DEMCO, host David Latona sits down with Mark Phillips, DEMCO’s Chief Engineering and Operations Officer, to discuss what it really takes to be storm-ready—long before a hurricane is in the forecast.

Mark explains how DEMCO prepares year-round to ensure fast, safe response when severe weather strikes. From routine inspections and vegetation management to stocking materials and training crews, storm prep at DEMCO is a steady, behind-the-scenes effort. You’ll also learn why burying lines isn’t always the best solution, how DEMCO supports its crews during emergency events, and how our rural co-op’s unique geography impacts storm readiness.

It’s not about scrambling at the last minute—it’s about staying ready every day. Tune in to hear how preparation today protects members tomorrow.

And be sure to join us in the next episode, where we walk through the power restoration process after a storm and answer some of our members’ most frequently asked questions.

In this episode of Co-op Conversations with DEMCO, we continue our discussion on DERMS—Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems—and explore how this smart, innovative technology could benefit our co-op and its members.

Our guest, Jeff Andry, Chief Strategy & Regulatory Officer, joins host David Latona to explain how DERMS works in partnership with co-op members by leveraging smart devices—like thermostats, solar panels, and home generators—to help reduce demand during peak times. You’ll learn how extreme weather events, such as high summer usage or winter peak demand, can increase the cost of power supply for all members—and how each member can make a difference by working together through a systemwide approach to help our co-op manage those costs.

This episode also highlights how DERMS can enhance grid stability during critical periods—and how member feedback plays a key role in shaping the future of energy management at DEMCO.

THE SURVEY IS NOW CLOSED.

Welcome to the first episode of Co-op Conversations with DEMCO! In this episode, we’re breaking down the basics of DERMS—what it stands for, how it works, and why DEMCO is exploring this smart technology to benefit our members.

Our host, David Latona, DEMCO’s Director of Communications and Governmental Affairs, sits down with Jeff Andry, Chief Strategy & Regulatory Officer, to talk about how energy is evolving—from a one-way power flow to a more dynamic, two-way system. This evolving model is supplemented by member-owned resources like smart thermostats, solar panels, and home generators, which have the potential to reduce demand on the grid—especially during peak times.

You’ll learn how programs like DERMS can help keep your energy more reliable, your bill more affordable, and our community stronger—especially during times of high demand. Let’s dive in!