Former NEMO Power employee receives state engineering award

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Kevin White, retired employee of Northeast Missouri Electric Power Cooperative, Palmyra, was recently honored with the Jim McNabb Engineering Innovation Award by the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives.

The purpose of the award is to give recognition to an outstanding engineer whose innovative thinking has in some way benefitted the entire state by improving the efficiency, increasing the reliability or reducing the costs for the generation and transmission of electricity on the statewide electric cooperative grid.

“To earn this award, a nominee must be considered to have contributed clearly above and beyond the normal routine call of duty in a way that makes a significant impact,” said Caleb Jones, CEO of the association. 

“Such a person is Kevin White. He has been an asset to Northeast Power since the day he was hired in 1993.”

White worked his way to the top of his field by hard work and the drive to power multiple communities in the most efficient way possible. 

His number one goal was to always ensure Northeast Power powered its members with safe, reliable and affordable electricity. 

Through countless hours of dedication, White played a pivotal role not only to Northeast Power but to the region, state and national rural electric programs for the past 28 years. 

White continuously supported the region by hosting annual engineering and operations meetings with the eight member-distribution cooperatives powered by Northeast Power.

He provided prompt engineering and operations support to member systems whenever needed. 

White served on the Associated Electric Cooperative Generation and Transmission Operations Committee for more than 15 years. 

He also served on the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Engineering Substation Subcommittee since 2005 where he was able to help shape the direction of various Rural Utilities Service standards and NRECA guidelines, including the RUS bulletin covering substation design.

White is no stranger to going above and beyond outside of work as well. In October 2021, he was awarded the “Hannibal Early Bird Kiwanian of the Year” award. 

He served in many leadership roles as a member of the Kiwanis, including lieutenant governor and chairman, and is a constant worker at all fundraisers and service opportunities. 

Perhaps most notably, this past year he helped create a new program to celebrate volunteerism in the youth of the area. 

Over 28 years, White not only took care of the senior staff, but also the new employees by giving them the tools to succeed through mentorship. 

Although he retired in December 2021, his leadership still lives on at Northeast Power. 

“His life work has made our systems better and has greatly contributed to the quality of life in 21st century rural Missouri. Kevin’s dedication to Northeast Missouri Electric Power Cooperative, its member systems, the other Missouri electric cooperatives and ultimately the members, make him an ideal recipient of this prestigious award,” Jones said.