Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative Honored at the Best of Riverbend Awards

Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEC) is proud to announce two significant recognitions from the 2025 Best of Riverbend Awards, hosted by The Riverbend News. Chosen through community voting across Lafayette, Hamilton and Suwannee counties. SVEC was named Large Business of the Year, and Christy Tuckey, Manager of Communications & Public Relations, was awarded Young Professional of the Year.

Christy Tuckey has been part of the SVEC team for a decade, with three years in Member Services and seven years in Communications and Public Relations. As both a cooperative employee and a cooperative member, Christy brings a unique, member focused perspective to her work. She has become an instrumental voice in strengthening the member experience—ensuring consumer-members remain informed, engaged, and connected to the cooperative’s mission.

“Christy represents the very best of our cooperative,” said Mike McWaters, Chief Executive Officer of Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative. “Her dedication to our consumermembers, her commitment to clear communication, and her passion for serving our communities embody the cooperative spirit. We are equally honored to be recognized as Large Business of the Year— an acknowledgment of the hard work and dedication of our entire cooperative.”

SVEC’s recognition as Large Business of the Year underscores the cooperative’s long-standing commitment to its guiding principles: safety, member experience, community outreach, reliability, and economic viability. Serving consumer-members across Columbia, Hamilton, Lafayette, and Suwannee counties, SVEC continues to invest in a strong and resilient electric system, meaningful community programs, and economic development efforts that help strengthen the region. This award reflects the cooperative’s mission-driven approach to serving our rural communities and supporting the quality of life for the members who own and rely on the cooperative.

SVEC congratulates all nominees and winners and extends its appreciation to The Riverbend News for hosting an evening that celebrates the best of the Riverbend region.

For more information about SVEC and its community-focused initiatives, visit www.svec.coop.