Co-op Completes Reorganizational Efforts, Announces Appointments

MANSFIELD, PA (March 2, 2006) - Tri-County Rural Electric Cooperative recently concluded a corporate restructuring initiative that began last fall.

The reorganizational effort, coupled with the retirement of several long-time co-op employees in December, has resulted in a number of promotions and appointments over the last several months. Following are those management changes:

John Lykens of Wyalusing has been appointed director of engineering and operations for Tri-County and its partner cooperative, Claverack Rural Electric Cooperative of Wysox. Lykens had previously served as senior director of operations for both cooperatives, a post he held since 2004.

Prior to joining the cooperative, Lykens had served as an electrical equipment supervisor for Penelec’s Towanda division. Before that he was a distribution design engineer for Quad Three Group in Wilkes-Barre.

A graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Lykens oversees all engineering and construction activities for the two cooperatives.

Bryan Berguson of Wellsboro has assumed the position of director of member services for Tri-County.

He is responsible for the development and implementation of programs designed to increase cooperative members’ awareness and understanding of services, products and programs offered by Tri-County.

Prior to his promotion, Berguson had worked for C&T Enterprises as vice president of information systems since 2000. C&T Enterprises is a support services company jointly owned by Tri-County and Claverack.

Berguson holds an associate’s degree in computer science from Williamsport Area Community College.

Gary Dunn of Coudersport has been promoted as Tri-County’s manager of field operations. His duties include overseeing the engineering, construction and maintenance of electric lines.

Dunn, a cooperative employee for 32 years, had served as Tri-County’s manager of field services prior to the promotion. Other positions he has held with Tri-County during his career include brush cutter, meter reader, lineman, truck driver and staking engineer.

Dunn holds associate’s degrees in industrial engineering and civil engineering from the International Correspondence School in Scranton.

Steve Allabaugh of Wyalusing has been hired as manager of technical services for Tri-County and Claverack.

A registered professional engineer, Allabaugh has over 12 years of experience in the power industry, most recently serving as substation supervisor for Penelec’s Towanda division. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering technology from Penn State University.

In this new position, Allabaugh is responsible for providing engineering services, long-range planning, protective device coordination studies and implementation of new technologies.

Rick Tavares of Gillett began duties in February as manager of purchasing and facilities for Tri-County and Claverack. Tavares has over 20 years of experience in facilities and fleet management, most recently serving as maintenance manager for Gough Holdings, a property management firm based in Horseheads, N.Y. He had previously worked as facilities manager for Ocean Spray Cranberries at their corporate headquarters in Massachusetts.

Tavares holds an associate’s degree from the Stockbridge (Mass.) School of Agriculture.

Gerald Duffee of Coudersport has been appointed as the cooperative’s district operations supervisor.

Duffee previously worked as a journeyman lineman out of the cooperative’s Coudersport District. He has been with the co-op for 17 years. As district operations supervisor, he is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day activities of the cooperative’s five district line crews.

Tim McCurdy of Coudersport has assumed the position of contract services supervisor for Tri-County. Prior to this assignment, McCurdy had worked as a lineman out of the co-op’s Coudersport District since 1990.

Before joining Tri-County, McCurdy had been a foreman for Asplundh Tree Experts. In his new position, he will manage Tri-County’s right-of-way maintenance program and oversee contracted services for pole inspections, line construction and infrared inspections of co-op facilities.

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