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

April 2026
Strong team keeps power flowing

     April gives us so many reasons to celebrate. Winter is over, daylight lasts longer and it’s getting warmer outside. Memories of winter storms that brought snow and ice are behind us, and we’re looking forward to the summer ahead. Many people look forward to planting their gardens, taking a walk, having a barbecue and many other opportunities to relax and enjoy the outdoors. 
      For your electric cooperative, spring and summer don’t mean that things slow down. There is always a threat of a storm that can impact power supply, and we stay vigilant all year long.  
     Keeping the power on or restoring it after a storm requires a dedicated team, and our team at Crawford Electric is among the very best. On April 13, we celebrate Lineman Appreciation Day in Missouri in recognition of everything they do to keep the power on. When bad weather strikes, they are on the frontlines to help our members and sometimes other cooperatives, too. Most recently, our system weathered Winter Storm Fern without issues, and we were able to offer mutual aid to Pontotoc Electric in Mississippi. The Crawford crew did an exceptional job, and we received many positive comments on their work ethic, dedication and commitment to safely restoring power to those impacted by the storm.
     Our dedicated team includes several other people who help keep the co-op running like staking engineers, right-of-way, safety, fleet and facilities, dispatchers and everyone who works in the building to keep things moving forward. The system can’t run effectively without them, and we appreciate all they do. 
     Our team makes us proud by standing out among their industry peers. Terry Gordon, our right-of-way supervisor, was recently named the 2026 Outstanding Forester by the Missouri Society of American Foresters. 
     In the fall, Crawford Electric was recognized by the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives for a total of 238,503 hours without a lost time accident. These measures of excellence highlight the team’s commitment to safety, reliability and service to our members.
     If you see our linemen this month as they go about their work, please thank them for their efforts. Along with the rest of the team, they are working for you every day to keep the power flowing.