FT. WORTH, Tx. — Walton EMC communicators Savannah Chandler and Greg Brooks were presented multiple awards during the 2018 Cooperative Communicators Association's (CCA) Annual Institute in Fort Worth, Texas.     

The two claimed trophies in the CCA Communications Contest, which evaluates the skills of communicators working for member-owned cooperative businesses from across the nation. Major sectors represented include agriculture, food, telecommunications, energy and banking.

This year’s contest had 610 entries representing 58 different companies. Awards were presented in the categories of writing, photography, programs and projects, and publications. 

Chandler and Brooks earned these honors: 

• First place, Campaigns and Programs, for Walton Gas’s online game, Pick the Peach 
• First place, Cooperative Education, for the Co-op College employee training program
• Second place, Brochures, Pamphlets and One-time Publications, for Walton EMC’s commercial services brochure 
• Second place, Employee Publication, for Walton EMC’s Two-Way Feed 
• Third place, Miscellaneous Promotional, for Walton Gas’s Georgia Proud scenic umbrella 

“These awards confirm that we are providing relevant messages to Walton EMC's customer-owners and employees,” said Brooks, community and public relations director. “To be judged best among our cooperative peers is rewarding.”  

In addition to the contest awards, Chandler was presented the Michael Graznak Award, one of the association’s top distinctions for cooperative communicators. This honor symbolizes accomplishments, contributions, competence and the promise of young cooperative communicators, and recognizes their sustained excellence, creativity, insight and performance. 

“I will ALWAYS remember the moment I stepped on stage to accept the Michael Graznak Award and spotted my precious family who traveled to surprise me,” said Chandler. “You experience a special emotion when others agree you've picked the right profession. I'm beyond grateful for this recognition.” 

CCA is an organization of 250 professionals who communicate for cooperatives. Through professional development opportunities, association members excel in communications disciplines such as writing, photography, video and publication design. Learn more at CCA's website.

Walton EMC is a customer-owned power company that serves accounts over its 10-county service area between Atlanta and Athens, Ga. Its primary focus is providing exceptional service to its 128,000 residential, commercial and industrial customer-owner accounts while also caring for the area’s communities.

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