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.

Connect with SMECO:
📸 Instagram: @somdelectric
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

Ever wonder who’s on the other end when you call SMECO? In this episode of SMECO Connects, guest host Tom Dennison sits down with Kia Steward and Dan Wallace to spotlight the people powering the co-op’s customer experience.

Kia shares her 11-year journey from the call center to regional services, and Dan opens up about the challenges and rewards of helping members through everything from storm outages to high summer bills. Together, they reveal what it takes to serve with professionalism, empathy, and community pride.

Key themes you’ll hear:

• The human side of customer care during outages
• Tools and tips to better understand your energy usage
• Career paths and growth inside SMECO
  
  

This episode is a reminder that every call, every question, and every smile makes a difference. Tune in and meet the voices behind the service.

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

Hosted by: Sonja Cox & Tom Dennison
Guests: Kia Steward & Dan Wallace