What does leadership look like when your mission is service, not profit?

In this episode of SMECO Connects, host Sonja Cox and co-host Tom Dennison dive deep into the unique culture of a member-owned electric cooperative. Sonja shares her journey from working in an investor-owned utility to leading SMECO as CEO, highlighting how accountability, community focus, and a people-first culture set co-ops apart.

Key themes include:

• The difference between cooperatives and investor-owned utilities
• Building trust and open-door leadership
• How culture, mentorship, and training empower employees
• Preparing for a future shaped by technology and AI

This is a powerful conversation on leadership, community, and what it means to create a culture where employees and members thrive.

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