____________________________________________________________ Lee County Electric Cooperative( LCEC)
building capability from within while bringing in outside expertise where it adds value.“ We support training, leadership development, safety education, technical certifications, cross-functional learning, mentoring and individual development planning. The utility industry is changing quickly, and we need employees who can grow alongside our business. Culture is especially important in a cooperative, as our people are directly connected to the members and communities we serve. I would describe our culture as service-oriented, practical and missiondriven. During blue-sky days, that means a focus on reliability, planning, servicing our members and continuous improvement. During storms, that culture becomes even more visible: LCEC employees are all hands on deck, supporting one another and focusing on restoring power safely. Like many utilities, we are also navigating workforce transitions, evolving technologies and increasing demands on our employees, which makes
leadership development and succession planning more critical than ever. We need to prepare the next generation of leaders while also preserving the institutional knowledge that has made LCEC successful for over 85 years,” Sarah informs.
That sense of community responsibility extends well beyond the provision of electricity. As a cooperative, concern for the communities is one of the principles that guides how LCEC operates.“ Our employees live and work in those communities, and that local connection matters,” Sarah states. Additionally, the company participates in community events, provides energy education, supports local schools, offers scholarships and youth-related programs, and engages directly with members throughout the service territory. Every year, LCEC raises over $ 200,000 for the United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades and Okeechobee Counties. Its outreach includes storm-season preparedness education, which aims to help members
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