Caney Fork Electric Cooperative (CFEC) is currently in the midst of a construction project which will ultimately end in a completely new base of operations on the site of its former location on Smithville Hwy where the cooperative has been based since 1963.
That's not where the changes at the electric cooperative end, however, as Caney Fork has announced a change in leadership. Jason Cloyd has been named interim general manager, effective Nov. 14, replacing the previous general manager, Ben Newman.
Newman, a former McMinnville mayor and city council member, was named to the general manager position on May 6, 2022 upon the retirement of Bill Rogers. He first came to CFEC, which his grandfather Edley Newman Jr. helped to establish and served as general manager of, in April 2019 as the cooperative's attorney. He was then named assistant general manager in May 2021.
Cloyd, a lifelong White County resident, now assumes the interim general manager role, having previously served as CFEC's White County district manager. A press release issued by CFEC on Monday afternoon states, "Caney Fork Electric Cooperative remains committed to its core values and mission of providing affordable, reliable electric service to its members while also promoting economic progress in its service territory. The board is confident that this leadership change will position the cooperative for continued success and the cooperative will proceed with improving electric service and reliability in the region."
Of Newman's tenure, the press release states, "The board expresses its appreciation for his dedication and efforts in service to the members of the cooperative."
CFEC Board President Mack Harney spoke for the board in expressing his faith in Cloyd. “Mr. Cloyd has served the membership of CFEC for over 21 years, working his way up from the position of laborer to lineman, followed by a transition to the management team overseeing the White County office. He has the full support and confidence of the board as he assumes this critical role at the cooperative.”
Cloyd and his wife Jill share two children, Ashlyn and Ty, and a grandson, Jack, and attend Collegeside Church of Christ in Cookeville. In accepting the position, Cloyd said, "The opportunity to serve as interim general manager of CFEC will undoubtedly bring great challenges, but I am extremely optimistic that together with the dedicated, hardworking employees and staff, we can meet those challenges while continuing to live up to our commitment to our members to deliver the best quality electric service possible at an affordable price.”
"I wish the best of luck to Caney Fork. I think they'll continue to do good things and continue to move forward," Newman said when reached for comment.
