Remembering Larry Morris - GRAHAM COUNTY - Graham County Electric ...
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GRAHAM COUNTY
Remembering Larry Morris
GCU and former GCEC director was a committed community volunteer
We are deeply saddened by the death of Former GCEC Board President Gene
Graham County Utilities board member Robert Larson noted Larry never missed a
Larry H. Morris on January 28, 2021. meeting.
He was first elected to the Graham “He was well prepared prior to the
County Utilities Inc. board on May 31, meeting date,” Gene says. “Larry had his
1997. own thoughts and would express them. I
Larry served as the GCU board appreciated and valued his opinions.”
president from July 1998 to July 2013. Larry was a member of GCEC since
Bob Brown was vice president and Jerry 1952 and a member of Graham County
Kempton was secretary during that time. Utilities when it was bought from General
Larry also served on the Graham Utilities in 1989.
County Electric Cooperative board from He loved serving his community
1997 to 2012. During his tenure on these in many roles, including Pima Fire
Larry Morris, 1934-2021 boards, the directors oversaw many Department chief; Associated Firefighters
accomplishments: the Pima Water Project; of Arizona president; Pima Chamber of
OPPOSITE PAGE: Larry, left, is Cottonwood Wash upgrades; drilling Commerce board member; Pima Unified
presented with a plaque by
Board President Jeff Larson additional wells for increased services; Ft. School District board member and board
honoring 15 years of service as Thomas water system upgrades; Safford president; bishop of the Pima 1st Ward;
president of the Graham County Bridge natural gas crossing upgrades; and many other areas of community and
Utilities board.
building the Pima and Talley substations; religious service.
building the new co-op offices; and, most Larry was born in Safford but lived in
recently, the sale of GCU gas services and Pima. He was best known for his business,
management of the Ashcreek Water Co.’s The Sugar Shack Bakery. He and his wife,
service area. Betty, spent decades making donuts,
He also served on the Arizona Electric pastries, cookies, cakes, breads and other
Power Cooperative board and the Sierra items.
Southwest board for several years. Larry was named Firefighter of the Year
“Larry will be missed as a director and Citizen of the Year for the town of
on the utility’s board,” says GCU Pima.
Board President Jeff Larson. “As the Betty died 29 years to the day prior
former president of the board, he was to Larry’s death. They had five children:
always a well-informed and prepared Brent, John, Morey, Carrie Kelly and
director. Larry was very involved in the Trisha Kempton; and many grandchildren
community as a business owner and and great-grandchildren.
served on many civic boards during his Our heartfelt condolences and prayers
lifetime. He will surely leave a hole in the go out to his family. Larry will always be a
community.” part of our co-op family. n
4 MARCH 2021
MARCH 2021 5
GRAHAM COUNTY
GCEC Hires New
Project Manager
Josh Bryce was hired in on our team. He brings a lot
January as a project manager of experience and expertise
for Graham County Electric in many areas that will help
Cooperative and Graham us complete some important
County Utilities Inc. He replaces electrical and water system
Jenny Howard, the compliance projects. We will be very busy
and special projects manager over the next few years with
who left the co-op in February. upgrades to infrastructure
Because the job evolved and implementing new
from compliance to more technologies.”
project management, Josh will Josh was raised in the
be responsible for planning, Gila Valley, attended Eastern
administering and completing Arizona College and graduated
assigned projects. He will from Arizona State University
develop and implement with a degree in electrical
business processes necessary engineering.
to manage capital projects. Josh is a registered
“We are really sorry to see professional engineer in Josh Bryce started at Graham County Electric Cooperative in
Jenny go and wish her all the Arizona. He was president January. He is developing business processes for capital projects.
best in her new ventures,” says of Utility Industrial LLC, a
CEO and General Manager consulting engineering firm, Engineering and Architecture excited to be back in the Gila
Phil Cook. “Jenny did a lot of from 2014 to his hire date with before 2011. Valley and be working with all
great work and moved many GCEC. He also was employed “Being part of the team the great people at GCEC.”
programs across the finish line as an electrical design engineer here was a goal of mine from Josh and his wife, Katy, are
for us. with ProConn Engineering the time I started in the utility raising their six children in
“I am excited to have Josh from 2011 to 2014, and Hanlon industry,” Josh says. “I’m Bryce. n
Former
Jenny Howard was the GCEC compliance and special
projects manager for three years. One of the projects
she worked on was expanding participation in the Rural
Employee Is Economic Development Loan and Grant Program. The
funding from this program supports economic development
projects in rural areas served by electric cooperatives.
Expanding We wish Jenny much success as she expands her
businesses, Ginaveve’s Market Place and The Main Street
Her Business
Bean. The Tiny Bean, a drive-thru coffee shop serving craft
espresso and non-espresso beverages, specialty foods and
deserts, will open soon. The shop will be on east Highway
70 and will have a large deck for outdoor seating.
8 MARCH 2021
GRAHAM COUNTY
Friends catch up during a past Graham County Electric Cooperative annual meeting. Stay tuned for more information about the upcoming joint
annual meeting in September.
A Combined Annual Meeting
GCEC and GCU to host combined The communities that GCU and GCEC serve continue to be
challenged by COVID-19, and keeping employees and members
annual meetings in September safe is a priority. Management is working with vendors that will
The Graham County Electric Cooperative and Graham County continue to provide audio visual support for in-person meetings.
Utilities Inc’.s 2021 annual meetings have been postponed. Because much of the business from both entities deals with
Typically, GCEC holds its membership meeting in February, operating updates, management took the opportunity to reduce
and GCU was scheduled for June. Due to many factors, including expenses associated with holding two separate meetings.
COVID-19, the directors have decided to combine both meetings, Look for more information on your billing statements,
now tentatively scheduled for September. Facebook page and our website at www.gce.coop. n
MARCH 2021 25
AZ-145 Postmaster: Send address changes to Currents, 5625 NE Elam Young Pkwy. Ste. 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124
Manager’s Message
Planning and Changing for 2021
I want to explain some of the 2021 in August. If you bought electric
P.O. Drawer B plans because we are well into the service from us in 1974, you will
Pima, AZ 85543
new year. One important activity that receive 100% of your share of that
occurs every January is the approval retirement. If you bought electric
928-485-2451
Toll-free: 800-577-9266 of the annual budget. The GCEC/ service from us in 2020, you will
Fax: 928-485-9491 GCU Board of Directors approved receive a portion of that retirement.
gce.coop the 2021 budget at the January board Our state and community continue
meeting. to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.
Graham County Electric The annual budget requires When considering the current
Board of Directors several months of planning, challenges of meeting together, the
President Reuben McBride evaluating and discussion with the GCEC/GCU boards decided to
Vice Pres. Mark Claridge staff before bringing a final budget to postpone the annual meetings for both
Secretary Jim Bryce
the board. A few important budget GCEC and GCU. The directors and
Chris Claridge
Tommy Clonts items include capital improvement employees look forward to an early fall
Stephen Hooper projects, equipment replacements in-person combined annual meeting for
Dennis Jacob and updating our maintenance plans. both GCEC and GCU members.
Gene R. Larson Our plans include implementation Postponing the regular in-person
Gerald Schmidt
of infrastructure projects, technology, and annual meeting was not an easy decision for
Graham County Utilities expenditures that provide safe and reliable your board of directors. However, we feel it is the
Board of Directors services while looking for ways to be more right decision for the health and welfare of the
President Jeff B. Larson efficient. co-op’s members and employees.
Vice President Steven Hooper Our Graham County Electric Board of We hope all of our members, employees and
Secretary Gerald Schmidt Directors authorized the return of $404,826 community continue to be safe and healthy!
Jim Bryce in capital credits to our electric members.
Tommy Clonts
Mike Crockett Some of our members will receive a credit to Phil Cook
Dennis Jacob their electric bill and some will receive checks CEO/General Manager
Gene R. Larson
Vacancy
CEO and General Manager
Phil Cook
32 MARCH 2021
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