NRECA International Lunch 2023, Sponsored by CoBank
On March 6, 2023, we held our NRECA International Luncheon in Nashville, Tennessee, during NRECA’s 2023 PowerXchange. During this event, CoBank renewed its commitment to our mission.
This year’s attendees joined us in celebrating our 60 years of service to empower communities around the world. This included 120 international guests from Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nigeria, The Philippines, and Zambia. During the event, attendees listened to panelists tell stories of the longstanding relationship between Blue Ridge Energy in North Carolina, and Bolivia’s Cooperativa Rural de Elecrificación the world’s biggest electric co-op, as well as the strong bond of friendship between electric co-ops here in the U.S., and in the Philippines.
The NRECA International Award was presented to Anna Politano, communications director of the Oklahoma Association for Electric Cooperatives, for her tireless commitment to our mission to bring power to underserved communities. Our deepest gratitude to Anna for her dedication.
Enjoy the photo gallery from this event and join us to offer our deepest gratitude to CoBank for their continued support!
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NRECA International Lunch 2023, Sponsored by CoBank
Doug Johnson, CEO of Blue Ridge Energy, and Miguel Castedo of CRE, have lunch together at the event.
Dan Waddle, Chuck Dawsey, and Eric Itambo mingle at the event.
Tucker Stagemeyer, YLC from Nebraska giving the invocation.
Dan Waddle giving his remarks during the luncheon, stressing that there is still much work to do.
Miguel Cestado, president of Cooperativa Rural de Electrificacion, Bolivia
Miguel Cestado, CRE president presenting Dan Waddle with an award of appreciation.
Anna Politano, Julie O'Dell, Allan Laniba and Chuck Dawsey share stories of the strong bonds that are created between co-ops and people.
Dan Waddle and Jim Matheson (far right) receive a check from CoBank
Mel Coleman, NRECA Board member from Arkansas, saying a few words to remember Mike Guidry who passed away in 2022.
David Iha, NRECA Board member from Hawaii, saying hello to Marc Medina, NRECA International representative in the Philippines
Eric Itambo, Chief Banking Officer at CoBank shares a few words with Tamra Reynolds, VP and managing director for CoBank's
Electric Distribution Lending Division
Guests mingling at the NRECA International Luncheon
Dan Waddle presents Anna Politano with the 2023 NRECA International Award.
An attendee viewing posters outside the banquet hall