Recker retires after 27 years at New Madrid Power Plant

“I did this and that on the farm right here in this location,” Recker said. “My dad rented this land and farmed it. Then we moved off.” He and his family relocated to Mississippi, where he went on to attend a state university and acquire a bachelor’s degree in agronomy.

Eventually, he moved back to Missouri and was involved in farming and insurance before joining Associated. “I wound up making a big circle,” he said, “ending up right back here in the same location. It worked out pretty good.”

Recker began work at New Madrid in 1988 as a temporary worker. He went on to work in the coal yard and was an auxiliary operator for a while. Eventually, he advanced to his current job as a chemical lab technician at the power plant, which is one of the diverse resources Associated Electric has to generate power for rural electric cooperative members in three states.

Recker said Associated has seen a number of changes since he began working. He said he observed changes in management, safety, technology and competition for coal-generated electricity in the marketplace. There also was a noticeable change in technology.

As chief steward of employees represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers at New Madrid, Recker has been able to develop closer relationships with his co-workers, and that has been one of the highlights of his career.

As he moved to retirement, Recker offered advice. “Learn as much as you can. Work hard, and keep a lot of humor in your dealings with your fellow employees and management.”

Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. is owned by and provides wholesale power to six regional and 51 local electric cooperative systems in Missouri, southeast Iowa and northeast Oklahoma that serve more than 875,000 customers. Associated’s mission is to provide an economical and reliable power supply and support services to its members, including the “Take Control & Save” energy efficiency program, www.TakeControlAndSave.coop. Associated is a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

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