Jefferson Energy Cooperative has always been a part of Ophelia McCain’s life. Her parents’ home was served by Jefferson County Electric Membership Corporation (Jefferson Energy’s original name) during the 1950s when the cooperative was young. While the country roads and farms of her youth have become an Augusta suburb, Ophelia has never forgotten her roots.

“Jefferson Electric served the country areas outside of Augusta. It was the only electric company I knew growing up,” she says. Ophelia’s parents wasted no time in putting that local electricity to work. (102065-01) Raising a family of eight children (Ophelia and her seven brothers) must have taken a lot of energy.

When a previous board member became ill nine years ago, Ophelia was nominated as her replacement. She has been serving ever since. “I was happy to help out,” she says. “The folks at Jefferson Energy are a great group of people.” Nine years of service have given Ophelia insight into the principles of a cooperative—quality of service and local commitment. “We are a small company with good rates and excellent people,” Ophelia says. “We have a really good manager who is always looking for ways to give the best service at the best prices. We have excellent, dedicated people working for Jefferson Energy, and we tell them so every chance we get.”

Working for the co-op board is not a full time job, but Ophelia has plenty of other things to keep her busy. She worked at a local AT&T office for some time prior to its closing in October 2004. Ophelia has also been a substitute teacher at Sego Middle School for several years. She plans to continue teaching and serving of Jefferson Energy’s Board of Directors.

When she’s not teaching children, Ophelia spends her time visiting two of her own in the Atlanta area. She regularly braves the twists and turns of the city’s “Spaghetti Junction” to see her daughter, Kimberly, son-in-law, Patrick, and grandchildren, Schuqira and Patrick. With her apparently boundless energy intact, Ophelia then visits her son, Matthew, daughter-inlaw, Celethia, and grandchildren, Brandon and Briana.

During the upcoming spring, the fourth generation of McCains will enjoy spending time at Grandmother’s home that is served by power provided by Jefferson Energy Cooperative. Through her work on the Board of Directors, Ophelia McCain is doing her part to ensure the co-op’s success will continue for generations to come.