I just wrapped up my 25th TechAdvantage Expo, and after all these years, it still feels like coming home.
Back when I attended my first TechAdvantage, I was still just a surfer girl from California who was barely able to rent a car and just trying to figure out what a co-op really was. From my training sessions in Mississippi, where I learned what turkey hunting was, to working during ice storms in Arkansas on Super Bowl Sunday, I’ve since had a front-row seat to the realities of cooperative life. Looking back, I don’t think I truly understood the cooperative difference at the time. Would I have guessed back then that co-ops would become such an integral part of my career? Probably not. But since then, I’ve come to appreciate not just the value of cooperative principles, but the deep relationships that form within this industry.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of being on-site at over 250 utilities. I’ve met some of the most dedicated professionals, gained incredible mentors, and built lasting friendships. The networking I’ve experienced in this industry is unlike anything else.
As I reflect on 25 years of attending TechAdvantage, I don’t see it as an obligation; I see it as a homecoming. It’s a place where I reconnect with friends and colleagues, share stories, and continue learning. Most importantly, it’s a reminder of why I’m passionate about this industry: helping utilities find innovative ways to serve their communities and make their lives easier.
That experience—seeing co-ops operate firsthand, understanding their challenges, and learning what truly makes a difference shaped how I approach problems today. True innovation isn’t about chasing trends or technology for the sake of it. It’s about solving real problems in ways that create lasting impact. That’s what we focus on at Meridian. Every solution we develop, every enhancement we make, comes from listening to co-ops, understanding their needs, and building tools that actually move the needle. I’ve seen firsthand how the right technology, when designed with the cooperative mindset in mind, can empower teams, streamline operations, and make life easier for the people doing the work. That’s the kind of innovation that matters.
After 25 years of TechAdvantage, one thing is clear: the technology behind this industry has evolved, adapted, and grown in ways we never could have imagined, but the people, the heart of this industry, remain the same. And that’s what keeps me coming back.