Message From the CEO
On March 5, ECI REC’s Vinton Operations Center sustained damage from an EF1 tornado that passed through Benton County. The damage was discovered when a line crew arrived at the shop to respond to a power outage. Thankfully, there were no occupants in the building at the time of the storm, though there was significant damage to the overhead doors, roof, and side walls of the facility. Our main fleet of trucks was spared, and crews were able to safely remove them from the building. All outages were restored by 10:00 p.m.
ECI REC continued to function as normal after the discovery of the damage. We implemented our emergency response plan, and employees worked to clear and secure the area. Skid steers, loaders, and other equipment did much of the heavy lifting, while team members walked the grounds, picking up smaller debris. Personnel also worked to secure the grounds and any inventory and materials that remained unsheltered.
In the past month and a half, ECI REC has worked with structural engineers, contractors, our insurance company, and our assigned insurance adjuster to acquire critical information to finalize the claim for damages from the tornado. We hope that by the time this publication is circulated, our contractor will have gotten the green light to move forward and that rebuilding will be underway.
The March tornado demonstrates a truth we all know: Disasters can strike anytime. It is ECI REC’s business, and our commitment to our membership, to be as ready as possible. It’s important to learn from every crisis we face and update our response plan accordingly. I encourage our members to do the same. Take action and prepare your families, homes, and vehicles for severe weather and other crises. Remember: When disaster strikes, the time to prepare has passed. We all need to do our part to
prepare for whatever might cripple our day-to-day lives. Prepare today and stay safe out there!
A lot has happened in the past few years—a lingering pandemic, the 2020 derecho, and now this EF1 tornado. I could not be prouder of the strength and integrity shown by ECI REC’s 34 employees. Our team has been through trying times unlike anything we have ever seen before. I’ve witnessed firsthand their strength, camaraderie, and loyalty. I am humbled by how this group rises to the occasion and prevails with positivity, no matter the challenge.
“We Remain ECI REC Strong” is not a cliché—it is truly how we are. We are all so grateful no one was hurt in the March tornado; structures can be rebuilt, but people cannot. As CEO, I am blessed—as is our membership—to have such a dedicated group of employees working for the good of the Cooperative and the 7,220 members we serve. We will get through this latest challenge!
