West Plains Chamber recognized Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative as Business of the Year for 2025. They recognized the cooperative as "an organization that exemplifies what it means to serve with dedication, resilience, and heart - especially when conditions are at their worst."
The nomination read, "Every day, the cooperative mission is clear: to lead with reliability, efficiency, and value-added service for the people they serve. But in 2025, that mission was tested like never before.
"In March, a devastating tornado outbreak tore through the service territory. Three tornadoes cut a destructive path across the region, snapping more than 450 poles and leaving thousands of members in the dark. At the peak of the storm, more than 6,300 members were without power. Roads were blocked, weather conditions were dangerous, and the work ahead was daunting.
"Yet this team responded immediately," stated the award presentation.
"Crews worked around the clock, joined by mutual aid partners from across the state, restoring power under challenging and hazardous conditions. Just as importantly, members were never left wondering what was happening. Through constant updates, photos, videos, and honest communication, this organization became a trusted voice during uncertainty - preparing members for outages, explaining progress, and recognizing the teamwork behind the scenes.
"That commitment to transparency and leadership earned statewide recognition for outstanding storm response and communication - proof that service isn't just about restoring power, but about staying connected to the people who depend on it."
At the same time, HOEC never lost sight of something equally critical: safety.
In the midst of extreme weather, long hours, and physically demanding work, employees achieved a remarkable milestone - more than 332,000 hours worked without a lost-time accident. "That accomplishment speaks volumes about their culture, training, and care for one another. It means that even on the toughest days, every employee's well-being came first," the Chamber said during the presentation.
"As if navigating historic storms and maintaining exceptional safety standards weren't enough, this organization also managed a year of transition - hosting its annual meeting, engaging members through surveys, addressing rising industry costs, embracing new technology, and preparing for new leadership, all while honoring decades of service from a retiring general manager.
"HOEC doesn't just keep the lights on - it shows up when its community needs it most. It leads in crisis, communicates with integrity, protects its people, and never wavers from its responsibility to those it serves."
Photo: HOEC accepted the Business of the Year Award at the West Plains Chamber Awards - Manager of Member Services Myles Smith, Lineman Logan Johnson, Manager of Accounts Receivable Bill Temple, Member Communications Specialist Stephanie Beltz-Price, CEO/General Manager Aaron Wheeler, Chamber President Allen Brinkman, and HOEC Board Members John Plummer and Dennis Walton.
