Sam Roberson represents District 3, which is comprised of Suwannee County north of County Road 136 and west of U.S. Highway 129. He lives north of Live Oak and has served on the board since 2010.
Q: What line of work are you in?
I’ve been a farmer all my life, but I retired in 2004. My dad died in 1975, so my two brothers and I formed a partnership. We were tobacco growers in the latter years, but in the earlier years it was soybeans and corn. We had some beef cattle and a few hogs way back. We’ve lived on the family farm since 1975.
Q: What do you like to do outside of work?
I go to church, golf and fish. I work in my garden and give the results away to people. I enjoy doing things for others.
Q: What made you want to serve on the board?
When Reginald Scott retired, I was asked if I’d be interested in becoming a trustee. I sat in on a meeting and got elected in 2010. I’ve been on the board ever since.
Q: What are you passionate about as a trustee?
I like being part of the cooperative family. When I came on board, I liked that everyone got along with each other, worked together and was involved in the community. I like feeling responsible to the members of the cooperative, because they pay their bill and rely on us to furnish a valuable service.
Q: What do you enjoy most about serving on the board?
I like to be involved. We have a good board that works well together. I love the employees of the cooperative, and I come up here to see them all the time. It’s a challenge to be on the board, and I have the time to do it.
Q: What is the most important impact SVEC has on its community?
What the cooperative does with the Operation Round Up program is great. It pushes teachers to challenge each other and to work even harder to earn that grant money. It’s the same with the student scholarships. They have to work hard and apply themselves to earn them. Operation Round Up may add a few cents to your light bill, but you’re helping children.