WOMEN IN POWER

Across Owensboro, there are a lot of women in power—literally. Atmos, Big Rivers and Kenergy are major power companies in and around Daviess County, and these women help run the show.

BY MEGHANN RICHARDSON — PHOTOS BY JAMIE ALEXANDER

From marketing to strategic planning and legislative affairs, women have immersed themselves in these companies. Leslie Neeley, Sharla Wells and Kay Coomes all enjoy their work in a male-dominated field and are encouraging all females to find a job they love and enjoy, no matter the industry or challenges. Read more for their stories.

LESLIE NEELEY Leslie Neeley, Communications and Public Relations Specialist at Kenergy, is in charge of external and internal communications as well as the liaison with media, emergency management, and judge executives. She manages the company’s social media, website, promotions, and attends events as a representative for the co-op.

Neeley said she enjoys that every day is different and presents opportunities to learn, but she also likes the electric cooperative network. As a cooperative, Kenergy is part of a statewide organization and national organization.

“Our fellow cooperatives are so willing to share ideas, projects, and knowledge with each other,” Neeley said. “It’s been beneficial to see what other electric cooperatives do and to collaborate with those in my same position all across the country.” Neeley said working in a male-dominated industry is not new to her.

“I worked as a sports reporter after I graduated from college and was more often than not the only female in the room,” she said. “So to me, it’s a pretty normal environment. I think there are unique challenges with every career, but that’s what makes each week interesting”.

She said one of the challenges she has faced in her particular position is learning about the industry itself.

“The electric utility industry is incredibly complicated between infrastructure, acronyms, and technology,” Neeley said. “I’ve really enjoyed

the challenge of learning as much as I can. I’ve really enjoyed cross-training and shadowing different departments to see what their day-to-day operations are like.”

SHARLA WELLS Sharla Wells joined Big Rivers as the Director of Risk Management and Strategic Planning in 2013, and assumed the role of Director of Legislative Affairs and Governmental Relations in 2014.

She is registered with both the Kentucky Legislative and Executive Ethics Commissions as a lobbyist for Big Rivers. Wells serves as a liaison between the company and elected officials.

“I analyze policy affecting our industry and lobby for or against legislative changes depending on their impact to Big Rivers and its memberowners,” she said. “My role is much the same at the federal level although I don’t spend enough time in D.C. to be required to register as a lobbyist.”

Wells said while there are many things she loves about her job, she really enjoys the learning opportunities presented to her every day.

“If I’m not studying something new in the energy industry, there is always a caveat of the billmaking process or something completely out of my wheelhouse I suddenly need to know,” she said. “My job is challenging and not something that has a lot of tangible results, but I definitely never get bored.”

Wells grew up on a farm and was working in economic development by the time she graduated college.

“I can’t remember a time I wasn’t in a maledominated environment,” she said. “I’ve always had a strong desire to prove my worth, and some of that is probably born out of being surrounded by older males who could easily write me off due to my age and gender.”

KAY COOMES Kay Coomes, who is the manager of public affairs for Atmos Energy, develops working relationships with key stakeholders such as state and local officials, other community leaders, organizations and media. She also helps with the administration of the company’s public programs.

“Our mission is making sure our communities and customers know and understand that safety is our highest priority,” she said. “We take the mission very seriously and it affects all aspects of our operations and filters through every department and employee. With that mission in mind, it is my job to work daily to promote our brand, product and services.”

She also serves as the point of contact for charitable and civic contributions, and said giving back to their communities is an important outreach for Atmos Energy.

“We want to make a difference in our communities and if we can help, we want to be there,” she said. “After all, our employees live in the communities we serve.” Coomes said as a female, her first job with the company did present challenges, but over time, as she did her best to work hard and develop her skills, those challenges faded.

“We need more females to go into STEM fields and we cannot let a male-dominated environment stop us.” she said. “Yes, I believe women have to work harder than men to be recognized. In the end, it is the hard work, talent, skill, determination, personality, character and grit that prevail regardless of who or what is around you.”