Schad honored with A.C. Burrows Award

Rodney Schad, a long-time electric cooperative director, was honored with the A.C. Burrows Award by the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives (AMEC) at the organization’s annual meeting Oct. 1 in Branson.

The purpose of the award is to recognize directors and employees of electric cooperatives for outstanding service to their cooperative, community and service areas. Those who received the award were selected because of their leadership above and beyond the call of duty to strengthen and improve the economic and social conditions in their areas.

Rodney is known for effective leadership in the Missouri House of Representatives from 2004 to 2012 and as a Morgan County commissioner for 16 years. He is a member of the First Christian Church of Versailles and the Missouri Farm Bureau. He dedicates his time as a board member for several organizations, including Quality Industries, Show Me Christian Youth Home, Highland Mutual Insurance Company, Versailles Christian Church and Hopewell Cemetery. He served on the boards of Co-Mo Electric Cooperative from 2009 to 2024 and Central Electric Power Cooperative from 2013 to 2024. Rodney also is a member of the Missouri Public Defender Commission and Environmental Improvement and Energy Resources Authority.

The award is named for the late Audrian Cleon Burrows of Van Buren, Mo., who rose through the ranks to become general manager of the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, the statewide service organization for Missouri’s 48 electric cooperatives. Burrows served in this position from 1968 to 1976. He was recognized as an outstanding leader in rural electrification and as a distinguished individual who dedicated his life to helping others.

The Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, Jefferson City, is the statewide service organization for Missouri’s electric cooperatives.