OPD5 Board of Trustees Chairman Jack Nelson recently 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, Feb. 19.
The Director Gold certificate is awarded only after a series of prerequisite board training has been completed. These begin with the NRECA Credentialed Director Certificate which entails a set of five courses focusing on basic governance and essential skills required of electric utility directors. A second tier of 10 additional training credits must then be completed to achieve a Board Leadership Certification which includes topics like Risk Management, Power Supply, Parliamentary Procedure, and more.
After all of this, the Director Gold is presented after the board member completes three additional courses every three years. This is Nelson’s third time receiving Director Gold.
Nelson said that the ongoing training programs offered by the NRECA had increased his understanding of the business and how to be a better board member.
“I feel like the more training and education I can pursue as a board member, the better I can serve the district and the people of our community,” he said.
One particular training module that Nelson found helpful in his role was a detailed course on energy generation and distribution systems. This class explored details of how electricity is wheeled long distances across high-voltage transmission lines and how the power is measured as it goes through the system.
“It gave me a good handle on how that all works,” Nelson said. “So when the district staff is reporting to us on our wheeling costs for transmission, I can better understand what the process is. I have found that very valuable.”
OPD5 Interim CEO MeLisa Garcia gave kudos to Nelson for his untiring efforts at improvement.
“I am so impressed, given the tenure that Jack has on our board, that he continues to be so actively involved in these educational opportunities from our national association,” she said. “He really sets the example of constant development and always working to become a better, more knowledgeable, board member for the district and for the community he serves.”