Mark Bolin of Foley and Brad Kimbro of Ashford Testify About Condition of Rural Infrastructure
WASHINGTON — Today, two Alabamians, Wiregrass Electric Cooperative CEO Brad Kimbro and Alabama Rural Water Association President Mark Bohlin, testified in a U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (AG) Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy hearing at the invitation of Ranking Member U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL).
During the hearing, titled “The State of Rural Infrastructure: Emergency Response, Recovery, and Resilience,” Mr. Kimbro and Mr. Bolin shared their perspectives about what can be done to increase reliability and funding for rural/small water and electric systems, including workforce development, cybersecurity, and program flexibilities. They also shared what additions could be made to the upcoming Farm Bill to help them continue providing reliable electricity and water to rural areas, especially following natural disasters.
Excerpts from Senator Tuberville’s introductions can be found below, and viewed on YouTube or Rumble.
INTRODUCTION OF MARK BOHLIN OF FOLEY
“Thank you, we do have two good witnesses here from my state of Alabama. Mr. Mark Bohlin, I’m proud to introduce from Foley, Alabama, who serves as the General Manager of the Perdido Bay Water, Sewer, and Fire Protection District in Baldwin County. Mr. Bohlin has served as General Manager for the District for over twenty-five years. He is a grade four water operator with the State of Alabama and a state certified electrician.
In addition, Mark has served on the Alabama Rural Water Board of Directors since 2009 and is currently the Association’s President. Prior to joining the Perdido Bay District, he served in several different technician, electrician, and operator roles across the country, including in the United States Air Force. Thank you for your service. Thanks for being here today, Mark. Thank you.”
INTRODUCTION OF BRAD KIMBRO OF ASHFORD
“Our next distinguished guest [is] Mr. Brad Kimbro from the Wiregrass in Ashford, Alabama. He is the General Manager and CEO of Wiregrass Electric Cooperative.
Mr. Kimbro has three decades of experience—I know you don’t look that old, but three decades—in the electric cooperative industry and has been with Wiregrass Electric Co-op since 2006. Within the co-op, he has served as Director of Member Services and Chief Operating Officer prior to assuming the General Manager position.
He is actively involved with the Alabama Rural Electric Cooperative Association and the national association, NRECA, and in numerous volunteer roles around the Wiregrass in Southeast Alabama. So Brad, thanks for being here today.”
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, and HELP Committees.
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