A little over 20 years ago, I wrote my first column as the manager of your cooperative. This column will be my last. I contemplated all the things I could write about. While immensely proud of many accomplishments over the past two decades, I choose to look forward and not back. I will leave my legacy to you, the readers, and not rehash history.
What’s ahead for me? As Michigan representative and president of the board, I will serve beside cooperative board members from 47 other states on the board for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association until March of 2026. I will volunteer my time for as long as possible to the Cooperative Family Fund, a nationwide nonprofit serving kids who lose a parent who was a full-time co-op employee at any of the 900 electric cooperatives nationwide. Finally, as much as possible, I will enjoy my wife, grown children, and grandkids at our home in Elk Rapids and on the clear blue waters of Elk Lake. (Wave at the old guy in the red chairs just past the no-wake zone on the river or stop by the house with the only Green Bay Packer mailbox in town).
At your cooperative, the future is so very bright. The board has named Rachel Johnson as your next CEO. Rachel has been a valuable member of my management team for the past 10 years. She has all the things you will need in the years ahead—youthful energy, passion for our mission, great intelligence, work ethic beyond compare, and a commitment to our communities. There should be no talk of “filling shoes.” Rachel is a leader with the confidence and talent to walk her own path.
Below Rachel, Frank Siepker will continue to lead an engineering and operations team with talent and depth. CFO Mark Wilson will train and guide the financial team, who will keep the cooperative numbers on the right track. Operations Supervisor Jeff Puffer has a very strong team of linemen that will be with the cooperative for a long while. Over in the HR department, Kerry Kalbfleisch retired in March after 13 years of dedicated service. She was replaced by Deidre Charnes, who comes with solid experience. Going into the future, the management team I have leaned on is solidly in place to support Rachel, as they have held me up for years.
The remaining employees are just as strong. Over the years, I have overseen the hiring of 57 of the 60 employees who will keep the lights on in the years ahead. I have all the confidence in the world that there is great talent willing and able to serve far into the future. It is a cliché, but your cooperative really is in good hands.
I won’t be far away. While I am confident that my phone won’t ring, I will always be ready to lend a hand to help, an ear to listen, or advice from years gone by. Cherryland will forever be in my heart. I feel so lucky to have had this time to serve all the members of your cooperative.
I believe I have received more than I have given over the past 20 years. I can only hope that you all give the people who remain as much as you have given me. Together, Cherryland Electric Cooperative will grow, improve, and remain a source of pride for everyone.
My long goodbye is over. I know that I will fade from collective memories in time. That’s okay. It’s part of life and part of moving forward. Please know that your place in my heart will last until my ultimate goodbye.
We recently moved into the area and have enjoyed your newsletter/magazine. Tony’s articles have been informative and provided a personal touch. We wish you success in your retirement pursuits.
Tony,
I’ve appreciated your willingness to discuss difficult issues in detail. Thanks for your dedication.
Thank you!
Congratulations on your retirement, and thank you for doing such a fantastic job at the cooperative throughout your career.
Thank you.
Tony, it has been my pleasure to know you these past 20 years. You have guided our cooperative with a calm and steady hand through some turbulent times. Your foresight many years ago to work with Members Credit Union, local energy efficient experts, contractors and Michigan Saves to bring one of the first energy efficiency program in the nation you our community should be recognized as ne of your many accomplishments. Congratulations on your well deserved retirement and I am confident your legacy will serve your CEC and membership for many many years.
Thank you. I wish the energy savings program would have had better results but we made the best attempt we could at the time. It would not have happened without a partner like Members CU.
You are truly my hero. You have given back so much to the community. Thank you for all you have done and all you will do. I am proud to be a member of the Cherryland family…..as a consumer. What a wonderful world it would be if all of our community partners were leaders like you are. I hope you enjoy retirement where every day is Saturday. I wish you the best.
Thanks so much for the kind and gracious words. They are appreciated. I feel like I have received back far more than I gave. Our region is a special place. I looked forward to remaining here for years to come.
Well done, Tony. Have appreciated your good work and candor. All the best in your future pursuits.
Cheers!
John Spraggins
Well done, Tony. Have appreciated your good work and candor. All the best in your future pursuits.
Cheers!
Good luck and best wishes, Tony.
But GBPackers?? Really??!!
Sigh…….
I turned on our first ever colored TV when I was 10 years old and the Packers were playing. I was hooked. I do cheer for the Lions for 15 games a year. Maybe more if they make the playoffs. Packers are also the only publicly owned team in the NFL. Electric coops are publicly owned. So, it is simply a match made in the stars.
Thanks so much to you for all your hard work, communication skills, Knowledge and caring.
We all appreciate you and wish you and your family the best in your retirement.
Thank you!
Tony and I have had our disagreements over the past 15 years. Usually about Cherryland’s renewable energy policies. But he has always been responsive and straightforward. His greatest achievement is developing the most reliable electrical grid in the country. I spend hours with solar customers talking them out of generator and battery backup systems when they are on the Cherryland grid. Don’t spend $10-15,000 on a system that you’ll never need! Rachel – carry on Tony’s legacy.
Tom, thanks for the kind and gracious words. We may not have agreed at times but it was always professional and never personal. It’s the way the world should work. Trust me, Rachel will carry on and improve all things Cherryland. – Tony