Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative (LMRE) is celebrating the graduation of three employees from a statewide program aiming to hone the skills of the next generation of electric cooperative leaders. 

Director of Billing Services Brittany Henderson, Communications Specialist Holly Storrow, and Foreman Joel Miller all received their certifications along with several other co-op employees from across the state. 

The one-year Cooperative Leadership Edge program is hosted by LMRE's trade association, Ohio's Electric Cooperatives, and requires six courses, two assessments, and a capstone project. Coursework focuses on coaching employees, managing conflict, adapting communication approaches, carrying out difficult conversations, and delivering results. 

Henderson and Storrow were also selected as two of the top 10 presenters to share their final capstone projects at the graduation event held in Columbus on Dec. 15. 

As one of the Seven Cooperative Principles, LMRE continually invests in training and development with the goal of serving its members with top talent and skills. 

"We're not just an electricity provider - we're here to make this area an even better place to live, work, and serve," said LMRE General Manager Ed VanHoose. "That means investing in our employees and making sure we're providing the best possible community services. We're really proud of these three for their accomplishments, and we're pleased to have them on our staff."