Cole Bode, Manager of Engineering, recently received his certificate for completing the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA) Management Internship Program (MIP). The Robert I. Kabat Management Internship Program is a comprehensive, six-week program, broken into three blended units (both online and in-person sessions), that provides in-depth analysis of the functions and processes of cooperative management.
Onsite portions of the MIP are held in the Fluno Center for Executive Education at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. This executive training facility offers business leaders and corporate teams a dynamic learning experience in a world-class environment.
Bode began his career with UEC in the fall of 2018. Before joining the cooperative world, he worked in the mining industry in northern Nevada for 7 years as a Power Systems Engineer, managing engineering and operation of transmission, substation, and distribution facilities for two of the largest gold mining operations in the world. Since then, Cole has helped lead UEC to become the cooperative it is today, and has helped train and lead employees across the organization.
“We’re grateful to have Cole on our team.” Says Josh Lankford, UEC Vice President, Engineering and Operations. “Cole is a key contributor to UEC’s success, and we are excited to see where he applies his learnings from NRECA’s program” he adds.
When discussing the experience during the MIP, Cole noted that he developed a more in-depth knowledge of the cooperative model, principles, government and how they serve and strengthen their communities. He also gained valuable leadership skills with the understanding of leadership styles and how to manage growing change. Above all, Cole believed the most important piece was getting to know and work with the other cooperative professionals who were side-by-side along the way.
“The most valuable part of the MIP was the ability to develop a deep network and relationships with 25 other professionals in my training group. The program brings cooperative leaders together from across the country with a healthy makeup of cooperative managers, officers, and other leaders.” Says Bode. “The relationships and friendships developed will stay with me forever.” he adds.