Managers Message

Charles L. Dawsey
General Manager/Executive Vice President for Benton REA.

February 2010

A “Reliable” and Winning Team

We flip the switch, the light comes on. We press the remote, the television turns on. We turn on the shower and the hot water begins to flow. We do these things over and over, almost never giving a second thought to the vast electrical system that makes it work and the people that make it possible.

Benton REA works hard to provide reliable and affordable electricity to the members. We are proud that Benton REA is nationally recognized by The United States Department of Agriculture - Rural Utilities Service (RUS) for excellent system reliability.

Effectively maintaining over 2200 miles of power line takes a team effort. When trouble calls are received, day or night, they are routed to a Benton REA staff person to personally respond and evaluate the nature of the problem. The linemen and equipment are then dispatched to make field repairs. In order for this process to run smoothly, many Benton REA employees are involved as follows:

The billing department accurately maintains member account information including locations, addresses and phone numbers that are used to route crews and make “call backs” to members after an interruption.

The engineering department maintains accurate maps of the electrical system. The maps include locations of lines, fuses and other protective devices critical to the restoration efforts.

The computer department maintains the wireless system that is used to remotely control protection devices and the internal network containing account information and outage data which helps identify likely causes of electrical interruptions.

The member services department provides critical member follow-up and answers questions after system interruptions or other problems are resolved.

The operations department provides the equipment and linemen necessary to make on-site assessments and field repairs. They respond quickly to outages or problems in difficult terrain, uncertain weather conditions, and are often asked to perform under severe physical requirements.

Providing reliable and affordable electricity is truly a team effort. Benton REA could not maintain reliable electric service without everyone doing their part.

After all that is “The Cooperative Way”