Hurricane Helene - One Cooperative's Story & Lessons Learned

Date: Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Time: 02:00 PM ET / 01:00 PM CT / 12:00 PM MT / 11:00 AM PT [Prevailing Time]
Presenters: Katie M. Woodle, CPA, Chief Executive Officer, Blue Ridge Energy, Amy J. Crowder, CPA,CFPC, SVP and CFO, Blue Ridge Energy
Moderator:
Learning Objectives:
1) Lessons learned from a catastrophic storm restoration event
2) Navigating the FEMA process
3) Ways your organization can assist the community with recovery
Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge
Program Level: Basic
CPE Credit: 1 Credit Hour
Delivery Method: Group Internet-based
Prerequisite(s): No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.

Course Description

In this session, we will hear the story of Blue Ridge Energy and the catastrophic storm that impacted their service territory in September of 2024. They will share lessons learned from their restoration efforts. To this day, their recovery work continues as they navigate the FEMA process. They will share helpful tips they have learned during this process of recovering the largest damage claim in the cooperative's history

Presenter and Moderator Bios

Presenter: Katie M. Woodle, CPA, Chief Executive Officer, Blue Ridge Energy

Katie Myers Woodle is Chief Executive Officer of Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation (dba Blue Ridge Energy), which serves some 80,000 members in northwest North Carolina. She also serves in this capacity for the cooperative’s subsidiary companies: Blue Ridge Energies, LLC (Blue Ridge Energy Propane and Fuels) and RidgeLink, a business-to-business broadband provider.

Previously, she served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Blue Ridge Energy and its subsidiaries. Woodle is also an NC Certified Public Accountant. Before joining Blue Ridge Energy, Woodle was CFO of Alleghany Memorial Hospital and was an Ernst & Young Accounting intern. She received her Master’s Degree and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/Accounting from Appalachian State University. A native of Alleghany County, North Carolina, Woodle resides in Lenoir with her husband, Greg, their daughter, Nora and son, Luke.

Presenter: Amy J. Crowder, CPA,CFPC, SVP and CFO, Blue Ridge Energy

Amy Crowder is the SVP and CFO for Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation (dba Blue Ridge Energy), an electric cooperative serving 80,000 members in northwest North Carolina. She also serves as CFO for the cooperative’s subsidiary companies: Blue Ridge Energies, LLC and RidgeLink, LLC. Crowder is a NC Certified Public Accountant and has completed her Cooperative Financial Professional Certificate through NRECA. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Queens University in Charlotte, NC and currently resides in Valdese, NC with her husband, Greg, and son, Joshua.

Cost
Free for NSAC Members / $56.00 for Non-Members

  Online Registration

Delivery System

  • All programs are delivered using the Zoom platform.
  • Confirmations will include log-in instructions.
  • Participants are able to participate using any device with an Internet connect (if the device does not have speakers, the participant can also dial-in) or they can participate with audio only by dialing in.
  • All registrants will receive a link to the CLN’s recording by email within 48 business hours of event’s conclusion.
  • There will be assistance available to help with technical and connectivity issues up to 10 minutes prior to the start of the presentation.

Registration

All registration is done on-line and each guest must provide their name and email address to participate. All NSAC members may register for free. Non-members may register for a nominal fee.

Refund Policy

NSAC will not issue refunds for CLNs. If a registrant is unable to participate in the CLN and provides notification to info@nsacoop.org 48 hours prior to the session, a credit will be provided for a future CLN. Alert the NSAC staff member monitoring the CLN if technical difficulties are encountered and technical support will be provided to eliminate problems with future CLNs.

Additional Information

Live participation is required for CPE credit and polling questions must be answered to document your active participation. All registrants will receive an email following the session with links to the slides and/or handouts, and a link to the CLN recording (unless otherwise stated). If you are unable to participate in the live session, you can still watch the recorded session, but you will not be eligible for CPE credits. Those eligible for credits will receive their certificate by email with 7 business days.

For more information regarding NSAC CLNs or administrative policies such as complaint and refund, contact the NSAC Headquarters, 7946 Clyo Road, Suite A, Centerville, OH 45459, 937-222-6707, or info@nsacoop.org.

What is NSAC's Cooperative Learning Network?
The NSAC Cooperative Learning Network is a live, interactive webinar, and you can attend from any location with internet and/or telephone access. NSAC members can attend an unlimited number of CLNs at no charge!

Each Cooperative Learning Network will have one or more speakers who are recognized experts on the topic. CLNs typically include a Q&A session where participants can ask questions live or by chat. No advance preparation or prerequisites are required, unless otherwise stated in the course information. Attendees are able to download copies of the slides and/or handouts and are provided a link to view the recording (unless the description states the session will not be recorded). These tools help continue your learning experience after the session.

CPE Credits
The National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives (NSAC) is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor (#103068) of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be addressed to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.

Delivery Method: Group-Internet Based.

Why NSAC Cooperative Learning Networks?

Fast.
No wasted time. Get right to the heart of the matter in a course designed to easily fit into your busy schedule.

Convenient.
No travel. No time out of the office. Listen and follow along from the comfort and convenience of your desk, device or conference room.

Easy.
A device with an Internet connection is all you need. If your device does not have sound capabilities, the ability to dial in from a telephone is available.

Ideal for multiple attendees.
Use a speakerphone and projector/monitor and invite as many people as you want to participate - at no extra cost to you.

Affordable.
NSAC Cooperative Learning Networks are free for members and available to non members at a fraction of the cost of travel and attendance fees for other high-priced conferences or seminars.