A Kentucky voice for electric co-ops
Marty Littrel of Meade County RECC elected to national post
FOR THE FIRST TIME in more than 50 years, a Kentucky electric co-op leader has been elected to a leadership position with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Marty Littrel, president and CEO of Meade County RECC, was elected secretary-treasurer in March. He is set to serve two years in that post, two years as vice president, and then in 2029 will be in line to serve as NRECA president.
“I look forward to working in this role to ensure we as electric cooperatives are committed to handling the looming energy challenges, while continuing to provide affordable and always-reliable power to our rural co-op consumer-members across the nation, and back here in Kentucky,” Littrel says.
Despite Kentucky’s significant role in the 90 years of rural electrification, only two men with connections to Kentucky co-ops have served in NRECA leadership positions. In the late 1960s, Jackson Purchase Energy Cooperative General Manager Hobart Adams served as both secretary-treasurer and vice president. And in 1971-72, Louis Strong served as NRECA president while beginning his tenure as general manager of the statewide association of Kentucky co-ops.
“Throughout his more than 20 years working in this industry, Marty has become a passionate advocate for the consumer-members served by Kentucky’s electric co-ops,” says Chris Perry, president and CEO of Kentucky Electric Cooperatives. “He brings invaluable experience, a record of building consensus and a commitment to meeting the challenges of an evolving energy landscape.”
Co-ops support students and rural voting
Sponsored by their local electric cooperatives, nearly 100 high school juniors participated in the 2025 Frankfort Youth Tour, meeting at the state Capitol with elected officials and kicking off the Co-ops Vote campaign.
Students and chaperone Alan Coffey of South Kentucky RECC meet with Rep. Shane Baker inside the Kentucky Capitol during the 2025 Frankfort Youth Tour.
“The race for the 2026 elections is already underway, including for a U.S. Senate seat that hasn’t been open since 1972,” Secretary of State Michael Adams explained to the youth tour delegation. “As politically red areas in the commonwealth get redder and blue areas get bluer, party primaries matter more than ever. Yet only 10-15% of registered voters participate in the primaries.”
It’s the 10th year Kentucky’s electric cooperatives have partnered with the secretary of state on the nonpartisan initiative to boost rural voter registration and turnout.
Delegates on the 2025 Frankfort Youth Tour discuss issues with members of the Rural Electric Cooperative Caucus in the Kentucky Capitol Annex. Photos: Tim Webb
“Following the launch of Co-ops Vote in 2016, we’ve seen voter turnout in our rural communities go up,” Adams said. “In the 2024 general election, rural turnout was above the statewide average of 59%. Here are some examples. Anderson County: 69%. Carlisle, Green, McLean, Spencer counties: 68%. Bullitt, Hancock, Livingston, Marshall, Washington counties: 67%. And the list goes on.”
The students also met with Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman and members of the Rural Electric Cooperative Caucus, including Sen. Robin Webb, Rep. Wade Williams and Rep. Samara Heavrin.
