GCEA invests in its elected directors to ensure that they have the knowledge and skills to best serve the membership. For many years, GCEA has required its newly elected directors to complete a five-course education program through the National Rural Electric Association Cooperative (NRECA) known as a Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD) Certificate. 
This five-day program helps build a foundation focusing on governance and an understanding of the electric industry. Every member elected to serve as a director on the GCEA Board has one year to complete this education for the benefit of all members as the CCD certification helps advance the skills necessary to perform their duties and responsibilities effectively. All seven GCEA directors currently have CCD certification.
GCEA further encourages and supports continuing professional development and education for our Board members. Additional options for director training include two advanced NRECA certificate programs – the Board Leadership Certificate (BLC) and the Director Gold credential. The BLC requires an additional 10 course credits that delves deeper into emerging challenges. We are grateful to have three directors who have invested their time and earned the BLC – Tom Carl, Michelle Lehmann, and Polly Oberosler.
To be recognized for Director Gold (DG) by NRECA, a director must have a CCD and a BLC and complete three additional credits, to be maintained on a two-year basis. GCEA is proud to have both Tom Carl and Michelle Lehmann awarded DG recognition, each for the second time as of January 2025 and January 2026, respectively.
Our congratulations and thanks to Tom, Michelle, Polly, Greg, Morgan, Darcie, and Frank, for your professionalism, dedication, and service to GCEA and its membership.