GVEC Lott, W.A. - July 23, 1987

Interview with W.A. Lott

Interviewer: Karen Yancy

Transcriber: Karen Yancy

Date of Interview: July 23, 1987

Location: Mr. Lott’s Home, Leesville, TX

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Begin Tape 1, Side 1

Karen Yancy: This is Karen Yancy. Today is July 23, 1987, and I’m conducting an oral interview with Mr. W.A. Lott, director of Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative [GVEC] at Gonzales, Texas.

Why did you become a director?

W.A. Lott: People in this area asked me to run for director. I was elected on that basis.

Yancy: What experience did you bring to the board of directors?

Lott: Working with people as an operator several years.

Yancy: How many years have you served as a director?

Lott: Six.

Yancy: What kind of time commitment is involved in being a director?

Lott: Well, at times, it’s been a—has involved a good bit of time. Other times, it’s very little, depends on what’s going on.

Yancy: What are your responsibilities as a director?

Lott: Well, to see that the people of District Five that I represent and all other districts are well-informed of what’s going on; to take care of their needs.

Yancy: What kind of personal satisfaction [do you get from] being a director?

Lott:  Oh, I enjoy working with people, seeing that things get done.

Yancy: Do the Co-op members contact you about policy changes?

Lott: Occasionally.

Yancy: Not very often?

Lott: Not too often.

Yancy: What are the aspirations of the board?

Lott: Clarify that a little bit, please.

Yancy: What are the aspirations of the board, in regard to GVEC? What would they like seen done? Long-term plans?

Lott: That’s one of the things; getting other organizations going. Right now, it’s GVEC—co-op; getting that started right now; interested. People in general, really.

Yancy: Other co-ops tend to have very argumentative board meetings, but GVEC doesn’t. In your opinion, why doesn’t GVEC experience these problems?

Lott: I think that the board is really informed about the meetings and what’s going on; [it’s] organized real good, and staff is also organized.

Yancy: GVEC has a good consumer relationship. To what do you contribute this good will?

Lott: I think inter-play among the members; treat them all alike.

Yancy: In talking with GVEC employees, the Co-op seems to be one big happy “family.” What do you think of that word, of the world “family,” describing the relationship between members and employees?

Lott: Well, I think that the employees all try to satisfy the needs of the members.

Yancy: What do you see as the future of GVEC?

Lott: I see no end to the growth of it.

Yancy: Expanding into other areas, other services. What are your greatest concerns for GVEC?

Lott: To keep it growing and prospering like it has been in the past.

Yancy: Well, okay, that’s all the questions I have. Is there anything else you would like to add?

Lott: Well, not really.

End of interview