Journeyman Lineman Andy Karle recently retired after 28 years of service. He previously worked for Wake EMC in North Carolina before coming to Tipmont.

Our Annual Meeting is an event I always look forward to. As you may know, its primary purpose is to elect the board of directors that governs our cooperative. But we also use the opportunity to celebrate the membership that makes Tipmont possible. It’s a privilege to visit with so many of you each year and listen to your feedback on how we’re doing.

There’s a high degree of difficulty in the pivot from pastry chef to pitmaster. But Sarah McGregor- Ray and Jonathan McGregor don’t just make it look easy at Revolution Barbeque. In just a few short weeks, they’ve put a distinctly delectable stamp on their brand-new barbeque business.

I wrote last month about how our delivery of critical infrastructure makes our responsibility more important now than ever. Cooperatives routinely plan for emergency situations, and our emergency plan has served us well in a variety of circumstances — from ice storms to tornadoes. In these unprecedented times, we’ve taken some additional unprecedented steps to make sure our team is in place to power your world.

Over the last several weeks, our team has been working with the companies within the Purdue Aerospace District to provide Wintek fiber connectivity. The aerospace district brings significant new investment to our area and specifically the 231 corridor west of campus.

Wintek powered by Tipmont has partnered with TSC’s Technology Department to enable free WiFi at four TSC schools. The WiFi is available at Southwestern, East Tipp and Wainwright Middle Schools and Klondike Elementary school.

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered life for nearly everyone as we work to slow the rate of transmission and flatten the curve. An unfortunate circumstance of the social distancing measures is how they've exposed the limitations faced by communities still waiting for high-speed internet service from Wintek.

No need to mince words: Life will be difficult for the next several weeks as we all adapt, adjust and sacrifice to serve our roles in social distancing to help preserve public health.

As I write this, we're in unprecedented and uncertain times. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has affected so many of our longstanding institutions and disrupted daily life for all of us. In the case of Tipmont and Wintek, our delivery of critical infrastructure makes our responsibility to the communities we serve more important now than ever.

Earlier this year, I was thrilled to join Tipmont and Wintek in the role of business development director. I was previously with Greater Lafayette Commerce for 24 years, most recently as vice president, economic development. My new role will build strong relations with existing and new customers throughout Tipmont and Wintek’s service area. I will also be working closely with the local community leadership to attract new industry and help create economic opportunities.