Candidate Profile: Andrew Lambert

ANDREW lAMBERT

Hollister, MO

Brief Bio

Retired healthcare executive with significant leadership skills (40+ years), business acumen and community improvement focus. A firm believer in faith, family and community service. My interest in joining the White River Vally Electrical Co-op is to contribute to the growth, forward-thinking and overall continued improvement of service offerings to the community and constituents of the Co-op.

Experience and Education

• Master’s Degree: Webster University
• Awards & Honors:
  • 3.74 GPA
• Community & Board Experience:
  • Currently board member of several boards:
    1. Pursuit Institute
    2. Curazen
    3. MIT Chief Data Officer Program
  • Volunteer at MO State Parks

qualifications

• Andrew has been a member of the Cooperative for 18 Years.
• Andrew is not employed by any enterprise that competes with WRVEC.
• Andrew is not related to anyone employed at the Cooperative.
• Andrew brings the expertise of Business Management, Finance, Accounting, Communications, Leadership, Board level experience.
• Andrew has not received any campaign contributions.

QUESTIONS & Answers

Explain the Cooperative Difference

The Cooperative Experience is analogous to an employee-owned business. The Co-op exists for the benefit of serving the community in a cost-effective manner at a high level of customer experience and satisfaction.

What are three critical issues you believe the Cooperative should focus on in the next few years?

1. Continued cost effective delivery of reliable electric service in light of population growth.
2. Affordable broad-band (fiber optic) internet service.
3. Protection against nefarious actors that sabotage and/or steal components for resale or terrorist activities to impact our electrical infrastructure.

What interests you most about serving on the board of directors?

Utilizing my business experience in a way to “give back” to the community for the enrichment of all. I wish to bring clever and “out of the box” new thinking to the directorship role in a collaborative approach.

Are you familiar with the elements of the cooperative business model? Please share what you know about the model at this time:

The elements of the cooperative business model is as follows:
Voluntary and Open Membership
Democratic member control
Member economic participation
Autonomy & independence
Concern for community
Education, training and information
Nonprofit, cost of service member-owned, community-driven network sharing in operating margins through capital credits back to the members

What knowledge and expertise would you bring to White River’s Board and the members?

Strong business acumen, collaborative team player, executive leadership with excellent communication skills. Well-versed in business operations, accounting and financial reports.

What is most important to the members of your district?

Reliability, cost effective electricity rates

As a director, how would you promote the co-op in your community and district?

Through the use of social media, expansive network of friends and community members.

What makes you the ideal candidate?

Energetic, professional executive business leader that desires to be involved in the betterment of my community.