currents  COMPILED BY VICTORIA SCHARF DECASTRO
Energy, environment and education To celebrate Earth Day 2007, Reynolds-based Flint Energies recently dedicated a solar panel at Huntington Middle School in Warner Robins. The installation of the demonstration project is part of Green Power Electric Membership Corp.’s “Sun Power for Schools Program.” Flint Energies is a charter member of Green Power EMC. “Green Power EMC’s Sun Power for Schools educates students about renewable energy and its impact on the environment,” says Flint CEO Bob Ray. The installation at Huntington will be monitored by science teacher Gwenever McDade. She and other teachers will learn about the solar panel’s operation, how to use the data collection system, and be provided with curriculum and classroom activities related to solar power, electricity and energy. “Flint installed this panel for energy, the environment and education,” says Ray, adding, “This project provides valuable education. Maybe there will be one student who is inspired to find new energy solutions for our future world based on their experience in this project.”
We’ve got the power More than 200 electric linemen throughout Georgia displayed their unique skills at the 13th Annual Georgia Lineman’s Rodeo at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry May 5.
During the daylong competition, linemen showcased skills they rely on to restore electricity under grueling conditions. First-, second- and third-place team and individual awards were presented to journeymen teams, apprentices and seniors in each division for best overall score, best team and best event awards. Results from journeyman teams in the EMC division are as follows: first place, Cobb EMC in Marietta; second, GreyStone Power in Douglasville; and third, Snapping Shoals EMC in Covington. EMC apprentice winners include: first place, GreyStone Power; second, Snapping Shoals EMC; and third, Flint Energies in Reynolds. Separate awards were given for senior teams. “This is the most rewarding work in the world,” says Jim Wright, vice president of training, education and safety at Georgia Electric Membership Corp. “It’s something most people cannot do, would not do. But once it gets in your blood, it stays with you.”
Wonder women Marcita Scharnhorst, vice president of human resources at Douglasville-based GreyStone Power, was recently named first runner-up as the Atlanta Area Council Woman of the Year by the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA).
Since joining the association in 1993, Scharnhorst has served as an officer of the local chapter almost every year, including four years as president.  Also at GreyStone Power, Charlotte Lockhart, executive assistant to the president/CEO, was named 2007 ABWA Woman of the Year for the local chapter. This honor was given in 2004 to Vicki Harshbarger, director of communications and member relations at GreyStone. Harshbarger was also a finalist for the Atlanta Area Council Woman of the Year in 2005.
“It is wonderful for any person to get the recognition for a job well done, and that is what this award is about,” says Scharnhorst.
Attracting business to Georgia Officials with Ocmulgee EMC in Eastman recently presented aerial photographs of Dodge County industrial sites to the Georgia Aviation and Technical College, also in Eastman.
The color photographs will assist the school in marketing the county to new and expanding industries and commercial firms. According to Ocmulgee EMC General Manager W.H. Peacock, aerial photography is a valuable tool for orienting prospects to community features and resources before, during and after visiting the area. The service is part of a larger effort on the part of the electric cooperative to support the industrial and economic development efforts of local communities throughout Georgia.
A happy Easter Fifty-nine children in foster care in Carroll County had new outfits to wear this past Easter, thanks to employees of Carroll EMC in Carrollton.
Co-op employees (pictured above), including, from left, Lorin Cooke, Lori Large, Sandra Gordon, Renee Carroll, Vickie Harris, Trina Farris and Dana Dixon, plus several people in the community “sponsored” a foster child and bought an outfit, complete with shoes, for the child to wear Easter morning. “The foster parents were completely overwhelmed and so very thankful. I know the foster children of Carroll County were surprised and beautiful on Easter morning,” says Susan Lester, president of the Carroll County Foster Parents Association and vice president of member services at Carroll EMC. | 
