What’s it really like to build a family and a life around one of the most demanding jobs in the world? In this episode of SMECO Connects, Sonja Cox and Tom Dennison sit down with Rachel, a third-grade teacher, mom of three, and proud wife of a SMECO lineman.

Rachel opens up about the unseen sacrifices linemen and their families make—missed birthdays, long nights without sleep, and storm calls that pull them away at a moment’s notice. She shares how her family balances teaching, parenting, and supporting a husband whose work keeps our lights on.

Key themes in this conversation:

• The hidden challenges of being a lineman’s family
• How teaching and linework both serve the community
• Finding strength, pride, and perspective in sacrifice
  
  

Rachel’s story is a heartfelt reminder of the resilience and dedication that power not just our homes, but our communities.

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Instagram: @somdelectric
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What does leadership look like when your mission is service, not profit?

In this episode of SMECO Connects, host Sonja Cox and co-host Tom Dennison dive deep into the unique culture of a member-owned electric cooperative. Sonja shares her journey from working in an investor-owned utility to leading SMECO as CEO, highlighting how accountability, community focus, and a people-first culture set co-ops apart.

Key themes include:

• The difference between cooperatives and investor-owned utilities
• Building trust and open-door leadership
• How culture, mentorship, and training empower employees
• Preparing for a future shaped by technology and AI
  
  

This is a powerful conversation on leadership, community, and what it means to create a culture where employees and members thrive.

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𝕏 Twitter: @somdelectric

What does it take to break cycles of poverty and homelessness in Southern Maryland? In this powerful episode, Sasha Kenneth, Executive Director of the Three Oaks Center, shares her personal journey from Trinidad to leading one of the region’s most vital nonprofits. From her own story of resilience to the community-wide fight for affordable housing, Sasha opens up about the challenges, victories, and hope that fuel her mission.

You’ll hear:

• How Three Oaks Center grew from a six-bed shelter into a cornerstone for regional homeless services
• The realities of generational poverty and why education and wraparound support are key
• Sasha’s bold vision for affordable housing and community partnerships that change lives
  
  

This is a conversation about compassion in action—and how each of us can play a role in building a stronger, more connected community.

Connect with SMECO:
Instagram: @somdelectric
X (Twitter): @somdelectric