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December 16, 2018

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By Virginia Annable

vannable@newstopicnews.com

Alan Merck has been named senior vice president and chief operating officer for Blue Ridge Energy.

Merck had been the company’s director of innovative energy solutions. In October he was named interim COO following the resignation of John Coffey. Merck joined Blue Ridge Energy in 2012 as director of key accounts/business development.

As COO of Blue Ridge Energy, Merck oversees system engineering and distribution and transmission operations, electric plant, reliability, engineering, power supply planning and coordination, customer service, economic development, and member relations.

Chief Executive Officer Doug Johnson praised Merck’s performance with Blue Ridge Energy.

“Alan has a proven track record in expertly managing a wide range of critical areas that benefit our members with the most reliable, affordable electricity possible delivered with the personal touch care, service and commitment to improving local communities that sets apart cooperatives,” Johnson said. “This is especially critical during this period of system upgrades to meet the power demands of our members in northwest North Carolina now and for the future.”

Before joining Blue Ridge Energy, Merck spent 29 years with Duke Energy in various roles. He has a bachelor’s degree in business management and an associate’s degree in electrical engineering technology.

Merck and his wife, Kelly, along with daughter Lydia live in Granite Falls. Their daughter Lindy and her husband, Jacob Lail, also live nearby.

Blue Ridge Energy is a member-owned electric cooperative serving about 76,000 consumers in Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe and Alleghany counties and parts of Alexander, Avery and Wilkes counties. Its corporate headquarters are in Lenoir.

Merck currently serves as Vice-Chairman for the EDC Board of Directors.