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

What if your biggest struggle became your greatest gift?

In this episode of SMECO Connects, host Sonja Cox and co-host Tom Dennison sit down with Ashley Knight, a Patuxent High School math teacher and 2025 SMECO Outstanding Teacher honoree. Ashley opens up about how failing early math classes gave her the drive to inspire students, the unconventional teaching methods that reignited her passion after COVID, and why making math fun is more than just numbers—it’s about building confidence, collaboration, and problem-solving skills that last a lifetime.

Key themes you’ll hear:

• Turning academic struggles into strengths
• Innovative, hands-on teaching approaches
• The power of recognition and community support
  
  

Ashley’s story is a reminder that passion and resilience can change lives—sometimes starting with your own.

👉 Follow SMECO on social media:
Instagram: @somdelectric
X (Twitter): @somdelectric

In this episode of SMECO Connects, Tom Dennison and Natalie Cotton sit down with Evelyn McCauley, a rising senior who just returned from the NRECA Youth Tour. Evelyn shares her surprising nomination story, the friendships she formed, and the unforgettable moment of asking tough questions to elected officials in Washington, D.C.

Along the way, you’ll hear:

• How a guidance office summons turned into a life-changing opportunity
• The hilarious chaos of a river cruise dance gone wrong
• Why civic engagement—and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone—matters more than ever
  
  

Evelyn’s journey is a reminder that leadership begins with saying “yes” to unexpected opportunities.

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

When the lights go out, the clock starts ticking—and Dale is one of the first people in the hot seat. From restoring thousands of homes in minutes to making split-second safety calls, his job in SMECO’s operations center blends adrenaline, strategy, and teamwork under extreme pressure.

In this episode, Dale shares his journey from lineman to distribution system supervisor, what really happens behind the scenes during major outages, and why safety always comes before speed. You’ll hear real outage stories, surprising tech tools that keep the grid running, and the unseen decisions that shape how fast your lights come back on.

Key Takeaways:

• How outage restoration is prioritized in life-or-death scenarios
• The technology and teamwork powering SMECO’s operations center
• Why “calm under chaos” is the most important skill in the room
  
  

Whether you’re curious about how the grid works or inspired by people who thrive in high-stakes environments, this conversation pulls back the curtain on an essential, often invisible job that keeps communities running.

Follow SMECO:
Instagram: @somdelectric
X/Twitter: @somdelectric

What happens when a young engineer takes on the future of the electric grid? Alex Santiago, SMECO distribution and commercial design engineer, joins hosts Sonja Cox and Tom Dennison to share how he’s shaping the way power reaches homes, businesses, and entire communities—while tackling the biggest energy challenges of our time.

From the pride of powering your local Chick-fil-A to navigating the state of Maryland’s electrification push, Alex takes us inside the grid, explaining how electricity travels from generation to your outlet, and what the next decade will bring. Along the way, he offers insider insights on why your neighbor might have power when you don’t, why nuclear still matters, and how innovation in battery storage could change everything.

Key themes:

• How power really gets from plants to people
• The electrification boom and grid reliability
• Why nuclear and renewables must work together
• Pride, problem-solving, and serving the community
  
  

Get ready for an energizing conversation that will leave you looking at every light switch, outlet, and power pole in a whole new way.

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

One wrong move around electricity can change — or end — your life. In this episode of SMECO Connects, Sonja Cox and Tom Dennison sit down with Blaise Higgs and Joe Patterson, two seasoned members of SMECO’s safety department with over 35 years of experience each. From gripping real-life accident responses to the hidden dangers most people never think about, they reveal what it truly takes to keep our crews — and the public — safe.

Hear the stories behind downed power line rescues, why a simple phone call can prevent catastrophe, and what it’s really like to work as a lineman in all weather, day or night.

You’ll learn:

• The life-saving rule everyone should know if a line falls on your car
• How SMECO works proactively to stop accidents before they happen
• The demanding — and rewarding — reality of line work and safety training
  
  

Whether you’re curious about the life of a lineman, looking for essential safety tips, or just love hearing from people who’ve dedicated their lives to protecting others, this episode will leave you with a deeper respect for the people who keep the lights on.

Follow SMECO:
Instagram: @somdelectric
X (Twitter): @somdelectric