ICC Member Spotlight: Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives
The AIEC was organized in 1942 Petersburg, where its first offices were located. Throughout its history, the AIEC has been led by four managers:
- Manager A.E. Becker: 1942-1960
- General Manager Thomas H. Moore: 1961-1994
- President/CEO Earl Struck: 1994-2006
- President/CEO (and former Illinois State Senator and Representative): N. Duane Noland 2006-Present
The AIEC’s board of directors consists of 28 member-cooperatives, representing each of its member-systems – the 25 electric distribution cooperatives and five power generation and transmission cooperatives, which primarily serve rural Illinois. One director is elected by and from the board of directors of each member-cooperative. Six telephone cooperatives operating in Illinois are non-voting members of the AIEC.
The AIEC provides its members with the advantages of a large utility operation without sacrificing the local control and local ownership essential to the spirit of these tax-paying Illinois businesses. To achieve this objective, the association provides a variety of services for its member-systems. These include engineering services, coordination of safety programs, training of line personnel, legislative research and information, member communication programs, printing and publications, public relations, and group purchasing of materials and supplies. The AIEC also publishes Illinois Country Living magazine, which is distributed monthly to member-owners of subscribing electric cooperatives throughout the state. The magazine provides feature articles on rural lifestyles, as well as regular columns on energy efficiency, household safety, lawn and gardening, and country recipes.
The AIEC’s mission statements is: To provide leadership, expertise and unity of purpose in support of the cooperative utilities of Illinois and their efforts to improve the quality of life for their member/owners.
By: Nancy McDonald, AIEC Vice President of Member Services