President and CEO Vernon “Buddy” Hasten fields questions from the audience, joined on stage by Director of Corporate Communications Marine Glisovic, during the 2026 Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas Directors’ Summer Conference.
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Centered on the theme of “Resilient Leadership,” the 2026 Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas Directors’ Summer Conference brought together directors and staff from across Arkansas July 25-28 in Hot Springs.

U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman emphasizes reliable power during his conference presentation.

Drawing on the story of Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton, President and CEO Vernon “Buddy” Hasten opened the conference with a keynote on navigating uncertainty. “Resilient leadership is not about preventing storms. It’s about what you do when the storm comes,” he said.

U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman welcomed attendees to his hometown of Hot Springs before presenting “Reliability and Permitting.” The Arkansas congressman emphasized the importance of dependable power to the nation’s future, quoting U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright: “Energy is the economy.”
Other speakers included educator and entrepreneur Dr. Fitzgerald Hill, communications strategist Molly McPherson, former Major League Baseball pitcher Jim “The Rookie” Morris, Arkansas’ 2026 Youth Leadership Council representative Kailyn Burroughs and longtime electrical safety educator and magician Scott Davis.

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