Santee Cooper’s Neil James Honored with Prestigious APPA Personal Service Award
MONCKS CORNER, S.C. – The American Public Power Association (APPA) honored Santee Cooper Director of Distribution Operations Neil James with the Harold Kramer-John Preston Personal Service Award, one of the association’s highest individual honors recognizing exceptional leadership, advocacy and service to the public power community. James accepted the award last week during the APPA National Conference.
The Harold Kramer-John Preston Personal Service Award is presented annually to an employee of an APPA member utility who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to the association through leadership, advocacy and service. It recognizes individuals whose sustained contributions have strengthened APPA and advanced the public power community nationwide.
James joined APPA over 30 years ago. James played a key role in launching the first APPA Lineworkers Rodeo in 2021, a national competition that showcases the skills, safety and professionalism of public power lineworkers from across the country. During his three decades of involvement with APPA, James has served on numerous committees, including as chair of the Transmission and Distribution Committee, Engineering and Operations Conference, Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3) and Mutual Aid committees. His involvement with APPA reflects both his professional expertise and his genuine commitment to the organization’s mission of supporting publicly owned electric utilities.
“Neil exemplifies what it means to serve not just our organization, but the broader public power community,” said Jimmy Staton, President and CEO of Santee Cooper. “This recognition reflects the character and dedication he brings to everything he does. We are incredibly proud to have him on our team.”
James expressed gratitude for the recognition and reaffirmed his commitment to the values that drive his involvement with the association.
“I’m honored to receive this award, but what truly matters to me is the work itself,” said James. “APPA exists to support utilities like ours in serving our customers and communities well. Being part of that mission is something I’m genuinely proud of.”
For more than 90 years, Santee Cooper has been serving the people of South Carolina. The utility is South Carolina’s largest power provider and the ultimate source of electricity for 2 million people across the state. Through its affordable, reliable and environmentally responsible electricity and water services, and through innovative partnerships and initiatives that attract and retain industry and jobs, Santee Cooper helps power South Carolina. To learn more, visit www.santeecooper.com and follow #PoweringSC on social media.