Former International Programs vice-president Vivek Talvadkar (right) accepts the awards from NRECA CEO Glenn English.
Photo credit: Mike Lynch

San Diego, CA.; March 7, 2012 — The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) today awarded its 2012 International Award to Vivek Talvadkar, former senior vice president of NRECA International Programs. Talvadkar was recognized for his outstanding leadership of the NRECA International Program and the NRECA International Foundation from 2005 until his retirement in 2011.

“In a rapidly changing U.S. international policy environment, Vivek Talvadkar’s outstanding leadership led NRECA International to new parts of the world where NRECA had not previously operated before, and his service was essential in growing the NRECA International Foundation.  Vivek grew contributions three-fold from $687,000 in 2004 to $1.54 million five years later.  His work left NRECA International in a strong position to address future challenges,” said NRECA CEO Glenn English.

Vivek joined NRECA International in 2005 after a career assisting developing nations at the World Bank group’s International Finance Corp. At NRECA International, he refocused efforts to put new electrification projects in Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and the Republic of Congo.

Talvadkar was also successful in positioning NRECA International to become a sought after team member for large USAID projects resulting in successful technical assistance projects in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. In addition, he led the effort to raise $180,000 to provide rapid assessment and initial repairs of Haiti’s electric system within weeks of the devastating earthquake that struck in 2010.

NRECA International provides developing countries with access to safe, reliable, and affordable electricity. It has offices in nine countries and is currently engaged in rural electrification projects in thirteen countries.

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association is the national service organization that represents the nation’s more than 900 private, not-for-profit, consumer-owned electric cooperatives, which provide service to 42 million people in 47 states.

More than 8,000 representatives from cooperative electric utilities across the nation are attending the NRECA Annual Meeting March 4-7 in San Diego, Calif., during which they will set NRECA’s legislative and organizational agenda for 2012. In addition to considering and acting upon policy resolutions, delegates receive reports from NRECA officials, hear addresses by key public figures and business experts, and attend educational forums on major issues affecting electric cooperatives and their consumer owners.