Representing S.C. in D.C.

Aimi Nguyen and Peter Barfield represented Horry Electric Cooperative at the 2010 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour in June.

Peter Barfield, of Conway, has been selected to represent South Carolina on the Youth Leadership Council (YLC) of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).  Barfield will attend the YLC Conference, July 17-21, 2010, in Washington, D.C. The conference agenda includes leadership and team building exercises, meeting with Capitol Hill staff members who are “alumni” of NRECA’s Electric Cooperative Youth Tour, and a competition to select the NRECA’s National Youth Spokesperson. 

Barfield’s electric co-op experience began in June when he attended the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. with 45 other South Carolina high students including Aimi Nguyen of Myrtle Beach.  Both students were selected by Horry Electric Cooperative to represent the co-op on the June trip.  During the trip, the South Carolina delegation selected Barfield to serve on the YLC and attend the Leadership Conference.

“This is what it’s all about,” said Barfield.  “I’m preparing myself for the future with my peers from across the country, thanks to Horry Electric and NRECA.  We will expand our knowledge of the American political system, broaden our understanding of cooperatives and develop our leadership skills.”

While in Washington, the YLC members will learn about cooperatives  through their discussions with Glenn English, CEO of NRECA, Sheldon Peterson, Governor of the National Rural Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC) and Jack Harvey, Interim CEO of the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC).

All 42 members of the YLC, including Barfield, will participate in the 2011 NRECA Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida. They will provide assistance to the NRECA staff and co-op delegates; participate in the Parade of States at the opening General Session and take part in a variety of educational activities.