Pictured left to right, Tri-County Electric Manager of Finance and Administration Ken Davis, Tri-County EMC General Manager Mike Davis, UMO Major Gifts Officer Dwayne McKay, UMO Vice President for University Advancement Dr. Twyla Wells, Tri-County EMC Member Service Representative Sean Sullivan, Manager of Member Services Bob Kornegay and Junior Accountant Kourtney Humphrey. Not pictured were Accountant Jo Brown and Line Superintendent Ron Miller. (UMO photo)
MOUNT OLIVE — Tri-County Electric Membership Corporation, a member-driven cooperative serving rural communities in Eastern North Carolina, has a significant number of University of Mount Olive (UMO) alumni as part of their workforce. With seven alumni currently on staff, Tri-County Electric is demonstrating a strong commitment to recruiting and developing local talent, many of whom have roots in the communities they serve.
As a cooperative dedicated to providing safe, reliable electric service at affordable rates, the Tri-County EMC mission aligns with the values instilled in UMO graduates—leadership, service, and community engagement. The cooperative has operated for 84 years, serving over 26,000 accounts across Wayne, Duplin, Lenoir, Johnston, Jones, Sampson, and Wilson counties.
“We are incredibly proud of the relationship we’ve built with the University of Mount Olive,” said Mike Davis, General Manager of Tri-County EMC and a UMO alumnus. “Having UMO graduates like myself and many others on staff allows us to continue fostering a culture of excellence and community support that mirrors the cooperative spirit of both organizations.”
The UMO alumni currently employed by Tri-County EMC bring over 170 years of collective experience and leadership to the cooperative. Those employees are General Manager Mike Davis, Manager of Finance and Administration Ken Davis, Manager of Member Services Bob Kornegay, Junior Accountant Kourtney Humphrey, Member Services Representative Sean Sullivan, Line Superintendent Ron Miller, and Accountant Jo Brown.
During a Meet and Greet breakfast with the UMO Alumni working at Tri County EMC, Vice President for University Advancement Dr. Twyla Wells provided an overview of the University’s growth, upcoming projects, and plans for the future.
Manager of Member Services Bob Kornegay spoke up, “I see so many similarities in our two entities. We are both focused on strengthening the communities we serve, we believe in personal attention, and we are small enough to be nimble and creative when developing solutions and outcomes, yet large enough to be effective and have a meaningful impact.”
Tri-County EMC actively supports its local communities through initiatives such as Bright Ideas educational grants, Rural Electric youth tours, scholarships, and the Operation Round-Up program. These programs, in combination with the cooperative’s participation in Touchstone Energy, a national alliance of electric cooperatives, showcase the company’s dedication to innovation, integrity, and commitment to the community—values deeply shared by the University of Mount Olive.
As Tri-County EMC looks to the future, the cooperative remains committed to fostering partnerships with local institutions like UMO to ensure the region continues to benefit from talented professionals who understand the importance of serving their communities.
In a written statement, Dr. H. Edward Croom, President of the University of Mount Olive, expressed his pride in seeing UMO graduates succeed at Tri-County EMC. “The University of Mount Olive is honored to play a role in preparing talented professionals who go on to make significant contributions in their fields. Tri-County EMC’s commitment to hiring our alumni speaks volumes about the quality of education and leadership development we provide. We look forward to continuing to equip future graduates who will strengthen organizations and communities alike.”
The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University was founded by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists. For more information, visit www.umo.edu.
Tri-County EMC has been serving rural and suburban areas of Eastern North Carolina since 1940. The cooperative is dedicated to providing safe, reliable, and affordable electric service while supporting the communities it serves through various outreach programs. As one of 26 rural electric cooperatives in North Carolina, Tri-County EMC is member-driven and community-focused.
