Former International Programs president James Durnil (right) accepts the award from NRECA CEO Glenn English.
Photo credit: Mike Lynch

San Diego, CA.; March 7, 2012 — The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) today honored Jim Durnil with its 2012 International Award. Durnil was recognized for his outstanding leadership as President of NRECA International Programs from 1997 to 2004.

“When Jim Durnil took the helm of the NRECA International, the program was running a deficit and its future was in jeopardy. Jim took on the challenge and not only remedied the program’s deficit problems but also expanded it into new territories, improving the quality of life for millions of rural residents in several countries,” said NRECA CEO Glenn English.

During Durnil’s tenure at NRECA International, more than 4 million new electricity connections were provided to 10 million people who previously did not have electricity. Durnil was responsible for putting the program on solid financial footing and expanding its reach to Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, the Philippines and Bolivia. He accomplished this by renegotiating contracts and developing a new funding source through USDA commodity grants.

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.