Fredericksburg, Va. — At the DISTRIBUTECH International trade event, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC) was awarded the 2024 S&C Powered by Diversity Award.

S&C Electric Company, a leading innovator of resilient grid technology, announced the award as part of the S&C Powered by Diversity Luncheon at DISTRIBUTECH International. The award recognizes international utilities that best demonstrate achievement in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the workplace and celebrates the honored utility’s progress on its DEI journey.

Specific highlights of REC’s achievements include:

  • Its work with the Center for Energy Workforce Development by participating in the development of their DEI roadmap.
  • The Cooperative has received certification through Virginia Values Veterans, a Virginia Department of Veterans services program, created to educate and train employers on how to connect with their employee teams.
  • The implementation of accessibility functions on their website for visually and hearing-impaired users.

“We are profoundly honored to have REC recognized as the S&C Powered by Diversity award winner. At REC, diversity, equity and inclusion are not just buzzwords; they are the bedrock of everything we undertake,” said John D. Hewa, President and CEO of REC. “Each member of our team contributes unique experiences that collectively establish us as frontrunners in the electric utility industry.”

REC provides electric service to over 177,000 connections in parts of 22 Virginia counties. With its general office in Fredericksburg, Va., the Cooperative operates and maintains more than 18,000 miles of power lines through its service area, which ranges from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay. For more information about REC, please visit www.myrec.coop. Follow REC on Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

DISTRIBUTECH International is a premier annual event for transmission and distribution utilities, showcasing cutting-edge technologies that power homes and businesses. The annual conference and exhibition offer a wealth of education, information, and solutions that the drive the industry forward. The 2024 trade event was held in Orlando, Fl.