Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative's 78th annual meeting, held the evening of Thursday, April 26, 2018, was the first for Jim Lovinggood in his new position as Blue Ridge Electric's new President and CEO. Lovinggood has been employed with Blue Ridge Electric for 35 years. Terry Ballenger, Blue Ridge Electric's Communications Manager, introduced Lovinggood to the thousands in attendance, following music provided by The Sweet Potato Pie Kids and The Zion Quartet. "He's been in this position for about three months now, and he's just been 'running from pillar to post' ever since his feet 'hit the ground.' He's doing a great job for us. Mr. Jim Lovinggood."
Following the singing of “America, the Beautiful” and “God Bless America” by The Zion Quartet, Kenneth Southerlin, who chairs the Board of Directors for Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative, welcomed the crowd. “We’re so glad that you could be with us. This is our 78th annual meeting of our members, and we’re glad that you could be here and be a part of it. Our practice has been, as long as I know of, that we open all of our meetings with prayer. Of course, this will be no exception today. I’m going to invite you to stand with me. I will call Rev. Tommy Howard to come to the podium to deliver our invocation, and, after the prayer, I would request that we all remain standing, for our Lieutenant Governor, Kevin Bryant, comes and leads us in the Pledge to the Flag. The Pledge will be followed by the National Anthem, to be performed by Jessie Lee Gilstrap. Jessie Lee is the granddaughter of Blue Ridge Director Jimmy Lee Dodgens. In reciting the Pledge, you are invited to direct your attention to the power pole behind me, where the co-op linemen have just raised the American flag. Or, if that is difficult for you to see, you can view it on the screens on each side of the stage, where the same flag will be displayed by way of video camera. Rev. Tommy Howard, please come.”