OPD5 Board member Mike Young has received the National Rural Electric Association (NRECA) Director Gold Certificate. He was recognized for his accomplishment during a board meeting held in Mesquite on Wednesday, February 18.
This is Young’s third time completing the Director Gold certificate requirements. He was previously presented with Director Gold certificates in May of 2024 and November of 2019.
The Director Gold is an NRECA certificate program for directors who are committed to continuing their education beyond the standard certificates and to having a tangible credential that reinforces their stature as part of a group of experienced and educated directors.
To earn Director Gold, directors must first earn NRECA’s Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD) Certificate, a set of five courses that focus on basic governance knowledge and the essential skills required of electric utility directors. Next, board members must earn a Board Leadership Certification (BLC) which encompasses a series of more in-depth courses on governance issues including Risk Management, Power Supply, Parliamentary Procedure, Technology and Policy Development.
Once these initial credentials are earned, board members can continue with their education by earning three additional credits from the BLC series of courses every two years to achieve and maintain their Director Gold designation.
“Our Trustees operate in a rapidly changing power industry,” said OPD5 CEO/General Manager MeLisa Garcia. “It takes a great deal of their time and effort to keep up with those changes. Throughout his long career as an OPD5 board member, Mike Young has been dedicated to constant learning to keep abreast of the industry so he can better represent his community. I appreciate his knowledge, perspective and experience.”