Contact:  Blake House   

 Telephone:  678-455-1510
Email:  Blake.House@sawnee.com

SAWNEE EMC LOSES ITS FORMER PRESIDENT AND CEO

(Cumming, GA April 4, 2005) – Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation (Sawnee EMC) announced today that its former President and CEO, Mr. M. J. Gravitt died on April 2, 2005, following an extended illness.  Mr. Gravitt served in a variety of positions at Sawnee from 1948 until June 29, 1990, and retired as President and Chief Executive Officer after serving the corporation for 42 years.  “Mr. Gravitt was a great leader for this cooperative and, due to his leadership and foresight, we owe him for much of what we enjoy today”, states Michael A. Goodroe, President and CEO of Sawnee.  Mr. Gravitt joined Sawnee in 1948 as an accountant and became President and CEO in 1963 when then manager Frank M. Chancey died. 

Mr. Gravitt saw the Corporation through tremendous challenges including development of the service area due to the filling of Lake Lanier, the rapid cost increases associated with the oil embargo and the formation of new power supply relationships during the 1970s, and the rapid growth of the 1980s.  Mr. Gravitt’s life was devoted to the members of Sawnee and the principles that made co-ops great.  He was a statesman and a leader in the industry. 

“Through the challenges of three decades, Mr. Gravitt showed true leadership and wisdom to guide the cooperative to new and brighter achievements”, states Sawnee’s Board Chairman Rodney Reese.    Mr. Gravitt wanted above all for the members to enjoy the benefits that so many had worked hard for since the co-op’s inception in 1938.

“We will miss him and thank him for the legacy that he created for us all to follow”, states Linda Burton, Executive Assistant to the President and CEO.  Mr. Gravitt is survived by his wife Polly and his daughter and grandchildren.

About Sawnee EMC:

Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation is an electric distribution cooperative headquartered in Cumming, Georgia.  Sawnee serves electricity to over 128,000 accounts in seven counties of greater north Georgia.  Sawnee’s assets exceed $370 million with annual energy sales of 2.56 billion and revenue of $222 M.  With over 300 dedicated employees, Sawnee’s team of professionals meets the needs of its member-owners through its complex network of over 8,300 miles of distribution facilities.  Georgia’s 42 electric cooperatives now serve more customers than any other state network of EMCs in the nation.

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