It is with this thought in mind the The Willies has been created. The Willies is a Central Rural Electric Cooperative rewards and recognition committee incentive to recognize those individuals who go above and beyond. A Willies is an award of excellence given to an employee who has exhibited a specific character or quality and it was recognized by a fellow employee. The Willies is names after Willie the Wiredhand, Touchstone Energy’s mascot.

All CREC employees can nominate their coworkers at any time for a Willie. Quarterly, the rewards and recognition team will anonymously select recipients of the award. Award recipients attend a breakfast where they receive their award and hear why they were nominated. A Book of Willies will be published annually so all employees can read what their coworkers have been honored for.

Pictured are the recipients of the first Willies ceremony. From left:  Michelle Dethloff, diligence; Clinton White, flexibility; Pat Nance, discernment; Cindy Wright, joyfulness; Debbie Wilson, helpful; Donna Perry, endurance; Steve Henderson, availability. Not pictured are Andrew Pool, enthusiasm and Lisa Drumm, generosity.