MEC Recognized with 2013 Parthenon Award

Published on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 in Careers

MEC was recognized at Siena Heights University in Adrian Tuesday evening as the 2013 recipient of the Parthenon Award for Business, presented by Athena of Lenawee County. A committee of six community members made the selection, based on the nomination submitted by Patty Clark, community development specialist in the cooperative’s Adrian office.

The Parthenon Award celebrates businesses dedicated to raising the potential of all women as valued members of their business, profession and the community. To be considered, a business must assist women in reaching their full professional leadership potential; demonstrate excellence, creativity, and initiative in their business category; and provide valuable service by devoting, or allowing their employees to devote time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community.

“In reading through the nomination criteria, my mind kept coming back to my colleagues at Midwest. I feel they encompass all of the leadership measures set forward by this award and deserve recognition for all that they do to serve our members, customers and communities,” Clark said in her introductory comments.

Kerri Wade, vice president of human and administrative resources, accepted the award on behalf of MEC. In her comments, she acknowledged how the humble beginnings of the rural electrification movement in the 1930s, where neighbor helped neighbor bring electricity to unserved areas, is still very  much how Midwest Energy lives its commitment to community today as a locally-owned and operated electric distribution system. “Midwest exists to make good things happen for people,” she said.

Athena Lenawee was created to cultivate and develop women’s leadership potential while providing mentoring, educational and networking opportunities. The Parthenon Award is one of the premier business recognitions in Lenawee County, and Midwest is the eighth recipient.