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Welcome to SMECO Connects! I’m your host, Sonja Cox, CEO of Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative. This podcast is more than just a conversation about utilities—it’s a space for community connection. My goal is to keep you informed about important topics that impact our region, from energy updates to local initiatives that shape our daily lives. Each week, I’ll bring you the latest community news, practical tips, and insightful conversations with local thought leaders. Together, we’ll explo ...
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Why Gen Z Is Reshaping the Workforce | #20
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The workforce is shifting fast—can your organization keep up? In this episode of SMECO Connects, Sonja Cox and Tom Dennison are joined by Rhosheeda Proctor, Director of Diversity and Inclusion at SMECO, and Yvette Turner, Lead Business Engagement Specialist at the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland. Together, they explore how today’s workforc…
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What does it take to rise through the ranks—and stay for decades? | #19
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Beth Kennedy and Tammy Gardner didn’t just build long careers at SMECO—they helped shape it. Starting in entry-level roles, they climbed to become senior leaders overseeing finance and customer care. In this episode, they share the behind-the-scenes stories of their journey, how the utility industry has transformed, and what it really takes to lead…
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What happens when nearly seven decades of experience step into the room? In this special episode, SMECO legends Ronnie Wise and Roger Schneider share their remarkable journeys from entry-level roles to senior leadership—charting a course through decades of industry change, innovation, and growth. From handwritten outage tickets to SCADA automation …
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Ever wondered why your electric bill spikes in summer and winter? In this episode, Smeco’s VP of Rates and Energy Procurement Eugene Bradford pulls back the curtain on how your monthly bill is built—from competitive power market purchases to the poles and wires that deliver electricity to your door. He walks us through load forecasting, rate classe…
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What does it take to climb a 40-foot pole in record time — with your reputation (and bragging rights) on the line? In this episode of SMECO Connects, host Sonja Cox and co-host Tom Dennison sit down with linemen John King, Doug Hancock, and apprentices Cameron Russell and Josh Morris. Together, they pull back the curtain on the electrifying world o…
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She Built a Utility Empire From Scratch | #15
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What happens when a cybersecurity pro leaves a federal career to build a construction company from the ground up—with zero industry experience? Meet Allison Drury, CEO of CAD Industries, a woman-owned underground utility business shaking up a male-dominated field. From buying her first drill after landing the job to leading complex projects for the…
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Inside the Hub: Where Help Starts with Karl Webner | #14
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You might wonder why an electric company is doing a podcast about mental health, but as a cooperative, we care about what’s going on in the community and with our members and how we can help them find resources they may need. That’s why this week’s episode is so important. Karl Webner, Clinical Program Manager at the Saint Mary’s County Health Depa…
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Why Regulating Your Power Bill Is More Complex Than You Think | #13
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Ever wondered why your electric rates change—or who decides what’s fair? We’re diving deep into the role of the Maryland Public Service Commission with SMECO’s top legal experts, Mark McDougall and Damon Krieger. With decades of experience navigating energy law and utility regulation, they break down how policies are shaped, what workgroups really …
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When everyone owns safety: Inside SMECO’s cultural shift with Jim Trainor | #12
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Inside SMECO: Stories of Grit, Growth, and the People Who Power a Community | #11
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What if you could understand a company's culture just by hearing its people speak? This episode takes you behind the scenes at SMECO—from chief linemen on assignment in Guatemala to the creative force behind their employee stories, and even to the leadership shaping rates and safety. Sanja Cox and co-host Tom dive into what makes SMECO's team excep…
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Leading With Strength and Heart: A Candid Mother’s Day Conversation | #10
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What does it mean to lead, nurture, and protect—at home and in the workplace? This heartfelt Mother’s Day episode of SMECO Connects brings together Charles County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Maria Navarro and SMECO CEO Sonja Cox for a powerful conversation about womanhood, leadership, and the evolving challenges facing families today. From ra…
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Lighting the Way Forward: How SMECO is Helping Maryland Go Green | #9
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Lezael Rorie, newly appointed VP of Distributed Energy and Sustainability at SMECO, joins us to unpack the surprising truths behind high energy bills, solar integration, EV adoption, and Maryland's bold push for greener buildings. From the real reason your winter bills spike to tools that reveal exactly when your kids are gaming past bedtime, this …
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How a Utility is Powering Careers and Strengthening Southern Maryland—One Apprentice at a Time | #8
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Think you know what it takes to keep the lights on? This conversation with Jason Atherton—SMECO’s longtime lineman-turned-trainer—might surprise you. From climbing poles to guiding the next generation, Jason shares what makes SMECO’s apprenticeship program more than just a training track—it’s a launchpad for real careers in Southern Maryland. With …
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How Do You Restore Power Safely and Fast? Meet the Team Behind the Work | #7
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Ever wondered what it takes to bring the lights back on after a major storm? From Air Force discipline to leading storm operations for an electric co-op, Brian Lazarchick shares the intense coordination, safety-first mindset, and evolving technology behind large-scale outage restoration. You’ll hear how tree-trimming cycles, outage maps, and a comm…
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Powered from Within: From Helping Customers to Shaping Community | #6
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What if you could inspire the next generation, support struggling families, and uplift your entire community—just by showing up every day with purpose? That’s exactly what Natalie Cotton has done. In this conversation, we dive into Natalie’s unexpected rise through SMECO, from a job-hunting newcomer to the powerhouse behind its community engagement…
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Wired for Change: Leading a Co-op in a Shutdown | #5
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When Sonja Cox stepped into the CEO role at SMECO, she had big plans—then COVID hit. In this compelling conversation, Sonja shares what it was like to lead through an unprecedented crisis, from ensuring employee safety to keeping the lights on for thousands of customers. She reflects on the challenges of running a top-tier electric cooperative, the…
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How Linemen Keep the Lights On—Stories from the Front Lines | #4
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Think power outages are just an inconvenience? For the linemen who restore electricity, it's a high-stakes mission. In this episode, we sit down with seasoned lineworkers to uncover the grit, danger, and teamwork behind the job. From grueling storm recoveries to the unbreakable brotherhood that keeps them safe, this conversation sheds light on the …
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The Future of Energy Generation in Maryland: Navigating Demand, Data Centers, and Clean Energy | #3
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In this episode, we dive into Maryland’s evolving energy landscape with a focus on the state's generation deficit, growing demand for electricity, and the complex debate surrounding energy generation solutions. From the impact of data centers and electric vehicles to the push for nuclear and renewable energy, we explore how Maryland is addressing t…
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Grid Safety and Security: Protecting Our Power System | #2
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In this episode of SMECO Connects, host Sonja Cox, along with co-host Tom Dennison, dives into the critical topic of grid safety and security. Joining them is Jason Scott, the Preparedness and Security Director at SMECO, who shares his expertise on protecting the power grid from both physical and cyber threats. Jason discusses his background in law…
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Behind the Scenes of SMECO: Community, Cooperation, and Commitment | #1
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In this inaugural episode of the SMECO Connects podcast, Vice President of Public Affairs Tom Dennison joins CEO Sonia to discuss the heart of SMECO's cooperative model. They dive into the company's roots, the difference between cooperatives and investor-owned utilities, and SMECO’s deep commitment to the community. From volunteer work and corporat…
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