This month's message from CEO/General Manager Michael Cremer in Your Co-op Connection in Rural Missouri. 

November 2025
Employees power co-op's mission
Adapted from CEO's remarks at the 85th annual meeting held on Sept. 17, 2025

          I would wager that if you’ve been a part of the Crawford Electric family for any length of time, you know this is more than just a utility. We have a great group of people working hard every day to make a difference for your neighbors, friends and families. That is why representing our employees and speaking to you today is such an honor.
     A wise person once said, ‘The world isn’t lacking communication; what it lacks is connection.’ I believe you can only connect with people—or a company—when you know their story.
     I’ve been with Crawford Electric for 11 years, previously as manager of IT. My passion has always been helping people. This aligns perfectly with our cooperative’s mission to enhance members’ quality of life, a mission I take personally.
    I grew up in Cuba, the youngest of five in a single-parent household. My mother worked seven days a week to make ends meet, teaching me the value of making a dollar go farther. Today, my family life looks a bit different, but my values remain the same. I strive to live day-to-day helping others and doing what is right even if it’s hard. 
     I’m not alone in this. Every employee and director has their own story that has uniquely prepared them with the skills and passions to maintain Crawford Electric’s position as one of the best cooperatives in the state. We have a great group of employees working hard for you every day.
     In 2024, we volunteered 640 hours, distributed $74,000 in Operation Round Up grants, raised $13,000 at our charity golf tournament, and donated more than $7,000 to local causes—all while positioning to issue $84,000 in energy efficiency rebates and retire $840,000 in capital credits to members.
     This dedication builds trust, which is essential as we work to keep the lights on and costs down in a complex, specialized industry. Operating and delivering our service requires a balanced approach, factoring in reliability and affordability. If this goes out of balance, we start to miss the mark in our mission to improve the quality of life in our communities.
     For example, to make any kind of change that notably reduces the number of outages, it would require significant investments. We would be more reliable, but then we would no longer be affordable. The opposite is also true. If we wanted to make any changes that could notably decrease our rates, we would risk making the system less reliable. There is no simple solution. We must balance both.
     Earlier this year, David Tudor, CEO of our power supplier Associated Electric, reminded us that affordability and reliability are non-negotiable. He shared updates on the future of electric generation and grid reliability, noting that while many suppliers were closing coal plants, Associated Electric kept both of its plants operational. These plants provide a strong base load for reliability and a flexible, cost-effective generation mix. Two new gas plants are on track for 2026 and 2027, adding on-demand capacity when wind and solar aren’t available. Recent legislative wins further strengthen Associated’s ability to deliver reliable, affordable power now and in the future.
     At Crawford Electric, our commitment to affordable service shows in our rates, which consistently rank 12th–17th lowest among Missouri cooperatives. We know any rate adjustment affects members, and just like rising grocery prices, it impacts how far your dollar stretches. Since 2023, we have absorbed more than 8% of power cost increases, our largest expense. This represents millions of dollars in cost control efforts to keep electricity as affordable as possible.
     But affordability must be balanced with reliability. Reliability isn’t just about transformers and poles—it’s about skilled individuals making critical decisions during storms, cyber threats, and service challenges. Whether it’s restoring power after storm damage, helping with billing, protecting computers, constructing service for new homes, or extending goodwill in our communities, all of these impact the reliable service you expect. And if you remember only one thing, know that our employees make the difference.
     Reliable electric service has a price, but unreliable service can be even more costly. Crawford Electric has been delivering on its mission for 85 years. I will continue to work passionately to support the people and values that make this cooperative special.
     Thank you for being part of Crawford Electric’s story. I’m excited for what’s next—and grateful to walk this path with you.