Mrs. Judy Metz, OPD5’s Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees, was recognized at the last board meeting held in Mesquite, NV, on Wednesday, Feb. 19, for earning the National Rural Electric Association (NRECA) Director Gold Certificate and lapel pin.

 

To earn the Director Gold certification, directors must first earn NRECA’s Credentialed Director Certification (CCD), the Board Leadership Certification (BLC), plus three additional training credits from the BLC courses. The CCD Certification is a set of five courses that focus on basic governance knowledge and the essential skills required of electric utility directors. The program requires attendance and a demonstrated understanding of the vital competencies contained in five core courses:

  • Director Duties and Liabilities
  • Understanding the Electric Business
  • Board Roles and Relationships
  • Business Planning
  • Understanding Financial Planning

Upon completion of all five CCD courses, directors are awarded the Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate by NRECA.

The second part of the director education program is the Board Leadership Certification (BLC). Directors must first obtain the CCD Certificate and then complete a total of 10 additional training credits for the advanced Board Leadership Certification.

The BLC covers a series of courses focusing in greater depth on specific industry and governance issues. These include topics such as:

  • Risk management
  • Power supply
  • Parliamentary procedure
  • Technology and policy development

The Director Gold Certification demonstrates to customers and other stakeholders, a directors’ ongoing commitment to advancing their knowledge and performing their fiduciary duty to the best of their ability.

Mendis Cooper, OPD5 General Manager, said, “With advances in technology, our industry has become very dynamic.  To be effective, the OPD5 trustees need to keep up with these changing times. Judy Metz has continued to advance her knowledge of the industry, and I appreciate the leadership and perspective she brings to our board room.  This certificate of achievement demonstrates Judy’s dedication to OPD5 and the ratepayers. ”

 

Director Gold is a NRECA certificate program geared toward directors who are committed to continuing their education beyond the Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate (CCD),  the Board Leadership Certificate (BLC), and who desire a tangible credential that reinforces their stature as part of a group of experienced and educated directors.