Candidate Profile: Martin Smith

Martin Smith

Nixa, MO

Brief Bio

I was raised in Christian County, graduating from Nixa. I started as an apprentice electrician out of high school and became the Regional Maintenance Manager for Southwestern Power Administration. My experience includes over thirty years working with other Utilities to ensure reliable power at a cost-effective rate; project management and design of new transformers and switch yards from conception to service; working with landowners on issues affecting their properties; and appointing employees to work assigned tasks while being cost effective. A part of my job at Southwester Power was doing budget planning and forecasting the need for replacing equipment and materials to operate a seven-state power transmission system.

Experience and Education

• High School Diploma: Nixa
• Awards & Honors:
  • Award of Valor by US Department of Energy,
  • COE Award for cost saving on Bull Shoals Dam\
  • Award for developing work practice to improve safety.
  • Award for construction of Operation Center.
• Community & Board Experience:
  • Served on different search committees, the security team, and budget team at Selmore Baptist Church.
  • NERC Standards Writing Committee,
  • Power Operations Handbook Committee,
  • Switching Investigation Committee.

qualifications

• Martin has been a member of the Cooperative for 25+ Years.
• Martin is not employed by any enterprise that competes with WRVEC.
• Martin is not related to anyone employed at the Cooperative.
• Martin brings the expertise of Over thirty years’ experience at Southwestern Power Administration ranging from Substations, Communications, to Power Line Right of Ways. Also including Budget and Planning for day to day and long-range requirements.
• Martin has not received any campaign contributions.

QUESTIONS & Answers

Explain the Cooperative Difference

Owned by the members and set up to improve service and cost for all members.

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

Reliability
Expansion
Safety

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

To learn more about the electric system that serves the area I am located in.

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

This specific model I am not familiar with.

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

Many years’ experience in the power industry.

What is most important to the members of your district?

Safety
Reliability
Open information
Cost effective.

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

It is important to be available to answer questions and listen to members concerns. This is how we learn what is going on around us and how to serve our community better.

What makes you the ideal candidate?

In my career with US Department of Energy I have had the opportunity to experience the power industry from Washington DC to other countries and still help individuals and local landowners concerning a wide range of different topics.