BY ANN FOSTER THELEN
In 2025, Mike Partin was elected president of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). He began working for the members of Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative in central Tennessee in 1998, has served as CEO since 2015 and has represented Tennessee on the NRECA board of directors since 2019. NRECA is the national trade association representing more than 900 local electric cooperatives across the U.S.
During the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives’ (IAEC) annual meeting in December, Partin sat down with Leslie Kaufman, IAEC executive vice president and general manager, to discuss important energy topics. More than 375 Iowa cooperative leaders and directors were in attendance to engage in the discussion. We are pleased to share a snapshot of the discussion with Iowa Electric Cooperative Living readers.
Leslie Kaufman: Mike, you serve as both president of NRECA and CEO of your local electric cooperative. Why is it so important for cooperative leaders to be involved at the state, regional and national levels?
Mike Partin: Engagement matters because this industry is changing fast. Whether you’re a director or a staff member, you don’t come to the table just to hear reports. You come to make a difference. If we think we’re on an island as one cooperative, we’re doing our members a disservice. The best ideas come from learning what other cooperatives are facing and how they’re responding. Electric cooperatives serve nearly 60% of the nation’s landmass, and rural areas, including places like Iowa, are growing. To stay ahead, we have to lean into leadership, training and collaboration. That’s how we remain drivers of innovation in our communities.
Kaufman: As you travel across the country, what common challenges or trends are you hearing about from electric cooperatives?
Partin: One big issue is data centers. They’re moving into rural America, and that creates opportunity but also risk. We need to have reliable energy capacity to serve those loads. A key question is also how to serve that load without shifting costs onto existing members. Those agreements must be structured carefully.
Cybersecurity is another growing concern. A decade ago, we weren’t talking about ransomware. Now it’s a real threat. On the East Coast, some cooperatives recently went into major storms unable to access their systems and maps because of cyberattacks. That’s something no cooperative can afford.
Workforce development is also a top priority. How do we recruit, train and retain good people, especially as experienced workers retire and younger employees come in with different expectations?
Kaufman: From an advocacy standpoint, what are the top priorities for NRECA right now?
Partin: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reform is at the top of the list. The system is broken. Currently, cooperatives can wait five or six years for reimbursement after a major disaster, forcing them to borrow just to stay afloat. That’s not sustainable.
We’re pushing legislation that would require FEMA to act within 120 days and reimburse interest if delays continue. Of the 435 congressional districts, 433 experienced a disaster declaration in the last decade, so this issue affects everyone, including Iowa. That’s why cooperative leaders are actively talking with their elected officials and helping move this forward.
Kaufman: You stepped into the NRECA presidency during a new presidential administration. How does that affect the way NRECA operates in Washington, D.C.?
Partin: One of the biggest challenges is policy whiplash. Our industry, especially generation and transmission cooperatives, makes 60- to 80-year investments, but national energy policy often swings dramatically from one administration to the next. That uncertainty makes planning harder.
What we’re seeing now is more recognition that electricity is foundational. Data centers, manufacturing and national defense all depend on reliable, baseload (24/7) power. Energy security is national security. That understanding gives us a chance to push for policies that support an all-of-the-above approach to generation and faster permitting for needed infrastructure.
Kaufman: You’ve talked about some powerful moments you’ve experienced in leadership. Is there one that really stands out?
Partin: One that still gives me goosebumps is seeing lights come on for the first time in a village in Guatemala through the electric cooperative international program. Walking up a ridge at night and seeing that village lit up reminds you of why this work through the NRECA International Program matters.
Another moment was being at the White House and seeing one of my linemen standing behind the President of the U.S. No matter your politics, that’s a powerful reminder that the people who keep the lights on matter.
Kaufman: Partnerships are critical in Washington. Who are some of the key allies cooperatives work with?
Partin: Depending on the issue, we partner with municipal utilities, investor-owned utilities, farm organizations like Farm Bureau and homebuilders. Strategic alliances help open doors and amplify our voice. For three years running, NRECA has been named the most effective trade association in Washington, D.C., but that effectiveness comes from collaboration. Relationships matter.
Kaufman: From a CEO perspective, what keeps you up at night?
Partin: Safety, without question. We know how to build lines and restore power, but keeping employees safe is the responsibility that weighs heaviest. Am I doing enough? Am I setting the right tone? Am I leading by example?
That concern doesn’t change when I put on my national hat. Whether at the local or national level, leadership means making sure people go home safe at the end of the day.
Kaufman: With all the challenges facing the industry, what gives you hope?
Partin: The people. When I attend director trainings or emerging leader programs, I see how committed electric cooperative folks are. They all “signed up” to make a difference.
This is not a stale industry. There’s innovation everywhere, from technology to workforce development to global electrification. I truly believe there’s never been a more exciting time to be part of America’s electric cooperatives.
Electric cooperatives were founded to power possibility, and that mission continues today, from Iowa’s rural communities to villages halfway around the world. As Partin reminded attendees, the cooperative model works because it puts people first and because leaders are willing to step up, engage and shape the future together.
Ann Foster Thelen is the editor of Iowa Electric Cooperative Living magazine.
