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Family makes Sharla Ivy’s world go ‘round Sharla Ivy has worked for Kiamichi Electric Cooperative, Inc. (KEC) for over 18 years but says the last three years as KEC’s procurement manager have been the most challenging — yet the most rewarding part — of her career. Sharla took on the role managing the main warehouse and three external warehouses, along with the task of competitively bidding material to build services to KEC members. Keeping material in stock, buying smart and managing inventory is a very important part of keeping the co-op’s costs down — a goal she strives to reach daily. A graduate of Panola High School and Eastern Oklahoma State College with an associate degree in business, Sharla later received a bachelor’s degree in finance from East Central University in Ada. After living in several other places as a young adult, she found her way back to southeastern Oklahoma and planted her roots on her family’s land where she grew up and has made Wilburton her hometown. Sharla and Jeff Cox have shared the past 12 years together and have three adult sons and three grandchildren. Sharla strongly believes that family is what makes the world go ‘round. They spend most of their free time remodeling houses on the weekends but like to squeeze in a little relaxation from time to time enjoying country living. Sharla said she doesn’t know anything else but work and is very thankful to be blessed with all that she has. She loves her family and loves the Lord, and said “what more does a person need?”
KEC announces leadership opportunities for eighth graders, high school juniors Each year, KEC sends three high school juniors from its service area on an unforgettable, all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. Students travel with the Oklahoma delegation (70+ students) to our nation’s capital where they tour historic sites and national landmarks, meet Oklahoma’s Congressional delegation and more. Youth Tour has earned a reputation as “a trip of a lifetime” by former participants. The trip will be held June 19-25, 2020. To enter the Youth Tour contest, high school juniors are asked to write a letter to the elected official of their choice describing an issue that concerns them. Each contestant should submit their letter along with the application at www.kiamichielectric.org by 5 p.m., Friday, March 6, 2020. Eighth graders are invited to apply for a fun, four-day trip to Energy Camp. Set for May 26-29, 2020 at Canyon Camp and Conference Center near Hinton, OK, Energy Camp helps develop leadership skills and promotes teamwork while teaching about cooperative principles, rural electrification and electrical safety. Applications can be found at www.kiamichielectric.org. Call (918) 465-2338 for more information.
