ABOUT SMECO
 John H. Bloom, Jr. |
“Progress is blind to county lines. Co-ops have a role in not just providing power, but in making our communities good places to work and live. As I meet other cooperative board members from across the country, I am impressed with how active cooperatives are in their communities. SMECO is a key player in Southern Maryland. We are fortunate to have good leadership.”
John Bloom, representing Charles County on SMECO’s Board of Directors, is a former superintendent of schools in the County, and he is president of the Indian Head Defense Alliance, a group of business and community leaders with the goal of supporting and promoting the Naval Surface Warfare Center and its tenant commands.
Bloom was also chairman of the Southern Maryland Committee, Tri-County Council, which developed a strategic plan for the region through 2010, and he is vice chair of the Charles County Economic Development Commission.
In addition, Bloom is past president of the Board of Trustees, Charles County Library, a former member of the Southern Maryland Regional Library Association, and an 18-year member of the Maryland Commission for Public Broadcasting (MPT).
Bloom received his B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Maryland and did additional graduate work at the University of Maine, Catholic University, and DePauw University in Indiana. Bloom served in the army for two years. He has been a SMECO Board member since 1998 and serves on the Policy and Audit Committee and the Board Risk Oversight Committee.
 Gilbert O. Bowling |
“During the 1970s, this area was rural. In retrospect, many of the Cooperative’s problems seem miniscule. During the 1980s, that began to change. The region became more developed, and the needs of those moving here were sophisticated. Then, in the 1990s, we saw an explosion in development. The community began to change, becoming more urban.
“SMECO’s goal has always been to provide high quality service and low-cost power. Where do we go next? We will need to continue to manage change and keep up with the new technology needs of the community. The secret of success is to stay in touch with the community. We’re fortunate in that we’ve always had good leadership to help us keep up with the times. I am proud of our Co-op. It’s one of the best in the country.”
Gilbert “Buddy” Bowling represents Charles County on SMECO’s Board of Directors. Owner of the Hughesville Tobacco Warehouse and Bargain Barn, Bowling is still active on his farm. Bowling was an extension agronomist for the University of Maryland from 1957 to 1967.
A volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, Bowling is past president of the Charles County Farm Bureau and former chairman of the Charles County Zoning Appeals Board. He is also a member of the Methodist Church of La Plata and the Gilbert Run Watershed Association.
He received his B.S. in Agriculture from the University of Maryland, where he also did graduate work in agri-economy.
Bowling has served on the SMECO Board since 1970, and among other duties, served as chairman from 1998 to 2003. He served as vice president of the board for nine years. He has received his director’s certification from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
 Fern G. Brown |
“SMECO not only provides power to its members, it is very active in community projects and programs, as well as in promoting career opportunities. With SMECO as our Co-op, we have great leadership, but one of our greatest challenges is supplying power at low cost to the continuously growing Southern Maryland area.”
Fern Brown represents Charles County on SMECO’s Board of Directors. She is the domestic violence coordinator for Charles County Circuit Court and a National Certified Court Advocate. Brown is also a volunteer advocate at the Center for Abused Persons and a former hotline counselor.
Certified as a Victim Assistance Specialist, Trauma Stress Services specialist, and Capital Area Crisis Response Specialist, Brown is also a member of the Charles County Commission for Women, the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence, the Maryland Division of Parole and Probation Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, and the Charles County Family Violence Coordinator Committee. She serves as a Charles County Board of Elections Supervisor.
A founder of the Charles County Silent Witness Program, Brown is also past board president of the Center for Abused Persons and founder of the Charles County Silent Witness Project.
Brown attended Bowie State College and the Temple School of Business. She is president of the Pomonkey High School Class of 1958 and a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, where she serves on the memorial committee. She has won numerous awards from her many activities, including the Governor’s Victim Assistance Award in 2002.
Brown has been a SMECO member since 1981 and has served on the SMECO Board since 2003. She holds a director’s certification from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
 Kenneth L. Dyson |
“Those of us who have lived here our entire lives are concerned about the community. This area is becoming more built up. We have managed to keep our rural culture without slowing progress. With more growth, providing reliable, economical service will be a challenge.”
Kenny Dyson, who represents Charles County on SMECO’s Board of Directors, was born and reared in Charlotte Hall. For the last 45 years, he has lived in Hughesville. Dyson is a realtor with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage.
Dyson recalls when SMECO’s membership was 37,000, far fewer members than the current 135,000-plus members today. “Changes at SMECO have all been upward,” Dyson said, noting that the house where he was born was equipped with a water-cooled, one-cylinder generator that provided power for the home.
Past president of the Mechanicsville Lion’s Club and past district governor of the Lion’s Club District 22C, Dyson remains active in community affairs. He has also served as director of the Hughesville Volunteer Fire Department and is a former trustee of Physician’s Memorial (Civista) Hospital.
Dyson serves on the committee for the revitalization of Hughesville and is active in Grace Brethren Church.
A member of SMECO’s Board for over 30 years, Dyson served as assistant secretary-treasurer from 1975 to 2004; he is currently secretary-treasurer. He has received his director’s certification from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.