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May 29, 2009 | David Childers retires from New Madrid Power PlantContact : Nancy Southworth 417.885.9246 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE David Childers of Oran retired this spring after 27 years at New Madrid Power Plant, owned by Associated Electric Cooperative, where he was warehouse supervisor. Childers joined the plant in 1981 as a general utility first period, progressing to warehouseman first period and warehouseman second period. In 1983, he was promoted to assistant storeroom supervisor and in 1984 to storeroom supervisor, later retitled to materials management supervisor. When Childers started at the power plant, the warehouse was a far cry from today’s computerized facility that inventories more than 14,000 parts. For example, inventory was manually tracked on index cards. Over the years, Childers and his crew developed a high level of order and efficiency in which the variance between what was on the books and on the shelves generally amounted to less than $100 out of a $12 million inventory. Childers’ co-workers nominated him for the cooperative’s Excel Supervisor of the Year Award in 2007. “One thing I truly, truly believe in and a big part of the success I’ve had is that you’ve got to seek input from the people around you,” he said. “It’s the adult way to treat people.” Childers represented New Madrid on three computerized maintenance management system teams. He also coordinated a peregrine falcon release program to help extend the bird’s range along the Mississippi River. During five years, he and a team of bird-loving employees released 12 falcon chicks. Although none returned to the plant to nest, one female has nested near St. Louis. In his retirement, Childers plans to volunteer at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center and to turn a woodcarving hobby into a small business called River Bark Treasures. He carves cottonwood driftwood into “wood spirits,” which look like wizened, bearded, old-man faces. His carvings come with a name and story he creates. Associated Electric Cooperative (Associated) is owned by and provides wholesale power to six regional and 51 local electric cooperative systems in Missouri, southeast Iowa and northeast Oklahoma that serve more than 850,000 customers. Associated’s mission is to provide an economical and reliable power supply and support services to its members. Associated is a Touchstone Energy Cooperative. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V Released: 29 May 2009 |
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