Communities reflect and represent what they offer. Often, the offerings are tied to natural resources or other tangible surplus such as, in the case of Warren County, beautiful natural landscapes, nurseries and the impact of more than agriculture, but that of manufacturing and the community investment in learning. The way in which a community reflects the individual people who are the community, indeed makes up the sensibilities of community. Consider how the McMinnville community reflects its topography; the way the hills or flats undulate, moreover, how the hands and hearts connect to power the community. Power is central to the output of McMinnville Electric System.
The following interview is an article powered by the impact of the 24-year-long synergies between the general manager/CEO of McMinnville Electric System Rodney Boyd and this community.
Mr. Boyd has had the opportunity to work for what he describes as one of the “greatest Boards associated with McMinnville Electric Systems” because of its attention to detail, a focus on stability and taking progressive risks. We all know that if you see a turtle on its back atop a fence post in the middle of a field, it didn’t get there by itself. Mr. Boyd recognizes his contributions as a collaborative effort among the many employees and community leaders he has interfaced with for over two decades. McMinnville Electric System Generation Site, and as one of three of 153 local power companies that TVA sells power to, has a greater capacity of any of the others because of capacity. In 2000, MES was debt free and decided to follow the lead of their new CEO with a $5 million investment in generators.
The project paid off the principal $5 million in less than 48 months and the generators have since generated more than $25 million. MES is one of the best in the nation. It has, according to the American Public Power Corporation, low costs and high reliability. These pairings make MES a leader among leaders in the business of power. With certainty, we can say and should recognize Mr. Boyd’s efforts and leadership has made MES the best. Being the best is about many attributes and characteristics, perhaps none more important than recognition of ability. Mr. Boyd described his leadership as one that is like a music conductor.
“I see myself more like a conductor than as a general manager. I may not know how to play the oboe, but I do know someone who plays the oboe and plays it well. Moreover, I also know what the oboe should sound like and when and where that sound needs to shine through. My job is to simply make sure that all the instruments that are needed play together and in accord with one another,” Boyd said.
In September of 2012, MES installed some of the first charging stations in Tennessee. Additionally, in 2021 MES began to “shine a light on your future” to further create reliability on its internal infrastructure. The push to automate power where there will never be more than 300 people without power at a time based on disturbances in the power grid is a current focus of MES and Mr. Boyd.
The goal is to work toward a 2027 or 2028 completion date for the project approved by the Board. The idea to purchase in a strategic manner optimizes MES and supports the entire system beginning in 2025 via automaticity. Mr. Boyd had the foresight to hire a certified arborist in support of customers. The acknowledgment of an arborist as a strategic hire to further the nurseries’ needs is obvious to some and oblivious to many. Connecting the importance and necessity to keep a tree program in place asserts comprehension of power and trees.
The goal is not to make anything difficult but to create a culture that is customer-centered, customer-focused and customer-connected. He has also contributed to the school systems being able to remotely control temperatures through uplift projects, river cleaning projects to clean the 200 miles of riverbanks in McMinnville and has spent decades promoting McMinnville to the nation. MES and the Industrial Development Chair have and continue to promote the qualities of McMinnville further.
He acknowledges that “so many changes have taken place” in McMinnville. He offered reflections on being president of the Main Street revitalization projects that have culminated in a lively and vibrant downtown. An area once less appealing is now growing, vibrantly filled with businesses that offer services, beverages and food, financial and economic impact. Mr. Boyd and his wife, Debbie, have been participants in the economic growth of the city, having past ownership of the current Collin’s River BBQ location.
Working across the use of your hands and mind epitomizes Mr. Boyd. His affinity for woodworking is an example. He also fancies himself as a “recreational” guitar player. According to Debbie, “he is a fantastic guitar player.” Seldom do recreational guitar players create, record and share the music they play as a “jingle” for professional companies. Ms. Jane Flatt would agree that Boyd's abilities and hobbies outstretch his humility. His mention of Debbie, Jane and the line workers expressed admiration for their commitment and professionalism.
Recognition of the team served as a constant part of the interview with Boyd. Even as the conversation concluded, Mr. Boyd deflected contributions or personal reflections that included him as a focal point. He looked forward to thenew incoming CEO of MES.
As he and his family began to settle even more deeply into McMinnville, his support of community has expanded from a focus on his granddaughters Rossi and Jilly, to engage with the rest of the eastern part of the United States.
The great loop, 6,000 miles of travel which takes a year to complete, awaits Mr. Boyd and Debbie. I look forward to the further unraveling of his impact, his future contributions, and am thankful to call him a leader in Middle Tennessee.
