TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR RONALD J. "RON" CALCATERRA, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF CENTRAL ELECTRIC POWER COOPERATIVE, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AFTER THIRTY-FOUR YEARS OF EXEMPLARY SERVICE, AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

Whereas, it is altogether fitting and proper that the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives should pause in their deliberations to express their gratitude to Ronald J. "Ron" Calcaterra for his significant contributions to Central Electric Power Cooperative; and

Whereas, in 1980, after working as an engineer with a large investor-owned utility in Michigan, he began serving Central Electric Power Cooperative and has been the president and chief executive officer of the cooperative since 2003; and

Whereas, Mr. Calcaterra is a registered professional engineer in South Carolina and Michigan and was personally chosen by top national officials as one of five electric utility experts selected to represent the United States in the SALT II Technology Exchange talks with Russia in the late 1970s; and

Whereas, during his time at Central, energy sales increased from $80 million to $1.2 billion; and

Whereas, Mr. Calcaterra has led the way in embracing conservation, using renewable fuels and funding research on clean-air technology, with Central Electric Power Cooperative pledging up to $10 million to improve the environment and meet future energy needs, and in 2006 he led the electric cooperatives' campaign to deliver seven million compact florescent lights (CFLs), which use one third of the energy of incandescent bulbs, to the members of the electric cooperatives; and

Whereas, he personally helped to create the next step for renewable and more affordable energy in South Carolina by working with Santee Cooper to build the state's largest solar farm, encompassing twenty acres and 10,000 solar panels, allowing for the cooperatives to deliver more environmentally friendly energy to the citizens of South Carolina; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are grateful for the decades of dedication and outstanding leadership that Mr. Calcaterra has given to Central Electric Power Cooperative, and wish him many years of enjoyment in his well-earned retirement. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognizes and honors Ronald J. "Ron" Calcaterra, president and CEO of Central Electric Power Cooperative, upon the occasion of his retirement after thirty-four years of exemplary service, and wishes him continued success and happiness in all his future endeavors.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Ronald J. "Ron" Calcaterra.