MS SC614

Recognizes H. Lee Hedegaard's record of achievement and legacy of service upon his retirement as General Manager and CEO of Singing River Electric Power Association in 2014.

Hedegaard served as General Manager and CEO since 1998 and led the cooperative through Hurricane Katrina and economic challenges, restoring power in less than two weeks and expanding workforce from 190 to 1,000 employees.

Under his leadership, Singing River Electric upgraded technology infrastructure including automated meter reading systems and interactive voice response systems, and secured approximately $7.8 million in USDA loans for local economic development projects.

Hedegaard established an Apprentice Lineman Training Program with Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in 1999, the first of its kind in the southeastern United States, which graduated over 500 linemen and hired more than 60 graduates.

Resolution honors Hedegaard's civic service on multiple boards including Boy Scouts Pine Burr Area Council (Silver Beaver Award recipient in 2010), economic development foundations, and community organizations.