Wireside Chat

Southwestern Electric Cooperative recently sponsored six local high school students' participation in a Youth Day event in Springfield, Illinois. Hear more about the day — and even hear parts of the day itself, by way of audio clips from the event — in this month's episode.

DeMoulin Brothers and Company has a unique history rooted in its early manufacturing of some of the most bizarre and fascinating lodge initiation paraphernalia and regalia in the country. Equally fascinating is the DeMoulin Museum, which tells the history of the Greenville-based factory. In this episode, museum curator John Goldsmith talks about the museum's origins, its aim and how Southwestern Electric has contributed to its success through the Operation Round Up program.

For better or worse, technology has become a nearly indispensible part of our day to day lives. In this episode of the podcast, host Nathan Grimm details all the ways in which the cooperative utilizes technology to keep Southwestern Electric members informed and empowered with their electric service.

There are a lot of cool things happening in our own Southwestern Electric backyard, and Elaine McNamara is the person in the know. The director of the Greenville Chamber of Commerce and Greenville University SMART Center joins the show to discuss the origins of the SMART Center renovation, new life being breathed into the city's downtown and what's next for Greenville.

December is a time to look back at the year that was, while also looking ahead to the year to come. Media Specialist Nathan Grimm does a bit of both in this year-end wrap-up episode.

It's cliche, but so are the holidays. So, with Thanksgiving on the horizon, the November episode asks a simple question: Why are you thankful to work at an electric cooperative?

The way we communicate — as a cooperative to our members, and simply as humans to each other — has perhaps never been more important. SWECI Vice President of Communications Joe Richardson joins the podcast to talk about his job, the ways he's seen it change and how he approaches communicating complex subjects to our membership, among other topics.

Lower temperatures bring higher electric bills. Ahead of the cold winter months, SWECI Billing Manager Veronica Forbis joins the podcast to talk about her department's auto-pay feature, LIHEAP assistance, personalized billing options and more.

The 84th Annual Meeting of the Members is upon us. SWECI Vice President of Member Services Susan File joins the show to talk about all aspects of the annual meeting, including how this year's meeting will be different from those of recent years.

Solar cogeneration is increasingly popular among electric cooperative members. Southwestern Electric Energy Manager Julie Lowe joins the show to discuss cogeneration, its growing popularity, what roadblocks still exist for members and where she sees cogeneration — solar and otherwise — going in the future.