SSVEC sends two teams to Light Up Navajo
Making the Navajo Nation a bit brighter
Ten employees representing the Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative (SSVEC) traveled to the Navajo Nation in July, joining in a national effort to extend electric service to those without power.
Participation in the "Light Up Navajo" program, now in its sixth year, began July 5 and involved a convoy trip of five vehicles and two trailers to the Native American reservation — the largest in the United States.
Each team spent a full week installing utility poles and extending wires to homes that were without electric service. Currently there are approximately 10,407 families living on the Navajo Nation that do not have electricity.
This year "Light Up Navajo" included linemen representing 16 different states from coast to coast. On average, 13 homes were connected each week with 4.2 miles of new powerline built.
"We are incredibly proud of our crew and the work they did," said Jason Bowling, Chief Executive Officer at SSVEC. "Participating in this program and providing electricity to homes and businesses that have been without this vital service says a lot about the character and quality of our people."
SSVEC employees who participated in the Light Up Navajo project from July 5 to July 12 included Eric Hessert, Chris Stephens, Frankie Bracamonte, Tyler Rios and Dylan Layton. From July 12 to July 19, the SSVEC crew included John Vandermeulen, Efren Gallego, Gabriel Ornelas, Brandon Torres, and CJ Putnam.
“I’m proud of our employees for stepping up and representing SSVEC with integrity and heart. Their work on the Navajo Nation is a powerful example of what service looks like in action,” said Nathan Hodges, Senior Vice President of Operations at SSVEC.
The crews set out early each Saturday from Benson and Willcox, respectively, for a more than eight-hour drive to the reservation. Each day consisted of 12 to 14 hours of work.
On the Thursday evening before returning to the SSVEC service territory, each team member was honored at a celebration hosted by the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA).
The program was created through a partnership between NTUA and the American Public Power Association (APPA). APPA has a mutual aid program that sends electric crews to areas hit by natural disasters like hurricanes and tornadoes.
“The visiting volunteer line workers signed up to travel here to help make a life changing difference for families,” said NTUA General Manager Walter W. Haase. “They left with an immense pride of accomplishment, especially when families thanked them for leaving their families and communities to help bring positive change to their lives.”
SMART ENERGY TEAM OF Southeast arizona
SET volunteers seek to help members
What began as an issue-focused group of volunteers anxious to save rooftop solar systems has become an influential organization that works closely with the SSVEC Board of Directors and the Cooperative’s leadership to represent the interests of members.
Formed in 2015, the Smart Energy Team (SET) continues to provide independent information to potential and existing residential solar members within the SSVEC service territory. The group also promotes the installation of affordable and efficient solar solutions as part of a diverse and reliable energy future.
"Our relationship with the SSVEC board and the leadership team has evolved over time," said SET volunteer Steve Scheumann. "It's an example of a community of SSVEC members with a focus on rooftop solar. I'm sure there are other groups with shared interests within SSVEC that could also be represented."
Ross Lampert organizes a quarterly newsletter which is distributed to some 50 members who share the group's primary interest in privately-owned solar systems.
"Our mission is to empower SSVEC members with information and provide resources on residential solar," Lampert said. "We also work constructively with SSVEC, other pro-residential solar advocacy groups, and regulatory agencies like the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) to develop solar energy solutions."
Staying in touch with developments and policies unfolding in the solar industry is one resource that SET members can offer members, Lampert said.
"People have a variety of reasons for considering solar. Because we've worked with our own contractors and have a relationship with SSVEC, we've been able to keep track of what's happening in the industry and how to engage with SSVEC. One of our goals, with the help of our current and future members, is to build a list of recommended contractors."
The number of residential solar installations continues to grow throughout the SSVEC service territory. Currently, there are 3,646 private photovoltaic (PV) systems, capable of generating almost 20 million watts connected to the Cooperative's system. Added together with SSVEC-contracted grid scale solar-generation systems, the amount of electricity produced by the sun is approaching one-quarter of the total energy distributed by the Cooperative.
SSVEC Happenings
WASHINGTON YOUTH TOUR
WYT: High school students entering their senior year earned an all-expense paid trip to the nation's capital through the Washington Youth Tour program, sponsored by SSVEC. The group left June 14th after gathering in Benson, for a week full of activities that included visiting national monuments, meeting federal legislators and their staff, and touring historic sites in Washington, D.C.
Pictured (from the left) are Isabella Garcia, Buena High School; Isabella Laura, Benson High School; Elizabeth Frederick, Veritas; Lyneea Kartchner, San Simon High School; Emerson Owens, Benson High School; Chris Gonzales, Valley Union High School; Ethan Bailey, Veritas; Travis Allred, Willcox High School; Caden Richins, St. David High School; Jaxon Savage, St. David High School; Aaron Edington, St. David High School; Dezireh Mejias, Buena High School; Esperanza Lepley, Tombstone High School; Jacob Cruz, Patagonia High School; and DeAndra Carabez, Tombstone High School.
Honoring a Visionary: Randy Redmond and the Legacy of the Arizona Firefighters Fund
By Eric Kriwer, Director
Arizona Firefighters Fund
At the 52nd Annual Arizona Fire School, we proudly recognize Randy Redmond, whose vision and leadership transformed firefighter training in Arizona. Beginning in 2026, the scholarship program will be renamed the Arizona Fire School – Redmond Family Scholarship, honoring his enduring legacy.
Randy’s journey began in the early 2000s as a member of the Arizona State Fire Training Committee (SFTC) executive board. Alongside Polly Elson, he traveled statewide, discussing ways to improve training access and simplify grant processes. When the Arizona State Fire Marshal’s Office ended Fire School funding in 2008, Randy, then the SFTC Chair, guided the committee through the transition — ushering in a more independent, service-driven approach.
Following that pivotal year, Randy proposed creating a nonprofit foundation to fund scholarships for firefighters from small and rural departments. By 2009, with support from John Hayes and corporate sponsors, he co-founded the Arizona Firefighters Fund, starting with $25,000.
The Fund grew rapidly. By 2012, Randy had secured $60,000 from 14 donors, leading to the awarding of 50 scholarships in 2013. Ongoing support from organizations like APS and the Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation helped expand its reach.
In 2014, Randy launched the Arizona Firefighter Training Specialty License Plate, a four-year effort that now generates over $30,000 annually. From 2014 until his retirement at the 50th Fire School, the Fund consistently awarded 100 percent of eligible scholarships, reaching up to 400 firefighters annually, with 100 percent of donations going directly to training.
“His determination and leadership to ensure we were able to support Arizona firefighters for many years to come has been beyond visionary,” said Eric Kriwer. “The opportunity for Arizona firefighters to train and return home better prepared will be remembered through the Redmond Family name.”
Thanks to Randy, the Fund has moved over $1 million, supported more than 3,500 firefighters, and established a model that will serve generations to come.
Farm Tours
On July 17, Lea Marquez Peterson (red blouse, seventh from left), a member of the Arizona Corporation Commission and its past president, visited Turkey Creek and Curry Farms near
Willcox to find out more about each operation. Lea is the first Hispanic woman to serve in a statewide seat in the history of Arizona and is the only Commissioner based outside the
Phoenix area. After her appointment by Gov. Doug Ducey in 2019, she was elected to four-year terms in 2020 and 2024. During her tour she was accompanied by SSVEC and Arizona Electric Power Cooperative (AEPCO) representatives at each facility.