2020 Annual Meeting Transcript – Joy Coffey

Good afternoon, everyone. And thanks for joining our virtual annual meeting. I'm very pleased to report to you this afternoon that our cooperative is in a strong and desirable position of financial wellbeing. Much care, strategic planning and execution of the plan by the leadership and all employees at Blue Ridge is evident and very positive results. Hopefully you've had time to review the annual report containing the statement of operations and balance sheet of the cooperative as found in your June issue of Carolina Country. Last year, I noted that after having served on your board of directors for 20 plus years, that I couldn't recall a more exciting time with new initiatives for our cooperative and subsidiaries touched on a few highlights, include contributing to the improved quality of life in our communities by securing interest, free loans and grants. Some of these loans and grants have been used to build or improve fire department response with new equipment.
	
Other funding resulted in jobs creation, education scholarships have been awarded. Importantly in 2020 as in 2019 private assistance to family is in need and has been distributed in our community from the foundation and specific funds. Remind me not to mention the need for challenges as motivation, who would have imagined the challenge slash motivation that a COVID-19 pandemic could pose for our nation and our cooperative family.
	
Blue Ridge it's sound financial condition in a sound financial condition continues to advance major goals in the areas of reliability, capital projects, lower cost power, and making life better for our members. Over 5 million in capital credits was returned to members. Blue Ridge with superior leadership from the CEO, the executive team and all the dedicated employees of the cooperative and subsidiaries that led Blue Ridge with excellent competencies and most of all with a heart for all. At this time, I'd like to ask our cooperative chief financial officer, Katie Woodle, to come and present the financial report.