In this episode of The Co-op Heroes Podcast, we sit down with Mike Partin, President of the Board at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, to talk about what it takes to represent electric cooperatives at the national level.

Mike shares how co-ops work together to make sure their voices are heard, especially in Washington where decisions can directly affect reliability and costs for rural systems. Representing hundreds of co-ops and millions of consumers gives the cooperative network real influence, but only when they move together.

A big part of the conversation focuses on disaster recovery and why federal support matters so much for co-ops. After major storms, restoring power can cost millions of dollars, and delays in reimbursement can put real pressure on member-owned utilities. Mike explains why these programs matter and what co-ops are doing to improve the system.

We also talk about the future of the grid, rising demand, and the challenge of keeping power reliable and affordable as the industry changes. Throughout the discussion, Mike makes the case that cooperation is still the strength of the co-op model.

Featured topics

• How co-ops work together to influence national policy
• Why disaster recovery funding matters for members
• The importance of a united cooperative voice
• Challenges facing the electric grid

This episode is about what happens when local co-ops come together to solve national problems and why that cooperation still matters today.

The Co Op Heroes Podcast brings you real stories from electric utility operators, the people who work every day to keep our communities powered, safe, and connected.