AVECC and AECC Honors Sam Davis for Decades of Leadership

Earlier this year, the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas recognized Davis with the prestigious Pioneer Award, an honor presented to cooperative directors who have reached the milestone of 35 or more years of service. Davis now joins fellow board members from across the state who have been inducted into the Pioneer Hall of Fame.

Since beginning his service in 1990, Davis has proudly never missed an AVECC board meeting, a testament to his unwavering commitment to the cooperative and its members. His leadership has helped advance the cooperative’s mission, strengthening the connection between AVECC and the communities it serves. Davis brings a deep, personal appreciation for the role electricity plays in everyday life, a perspective that has shaped his decades of service to the cooperative. During his tenure, Davis has supported transformative initiatives, including the development of AVECC’s fiber subsidiary, Wave Rural Connect, which has expanded high-speed internet access to more than 30,000 members across the River Valley.

In addition to his service with AVECC, Davis has represented the cooperative at the state level, serving on the Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation (AECC) Board of Directors, including a term as Board Chair. He also served on the Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (AECI) Board of Directors.

Reflecting on his service, Davis said, “It is an honor and a privilege to serve Arkansas Valley Electric,” a mindset that has guided his decades-long commitment to the cooperative and its members.

Davis is one of only a few current AVECC board members to receive the Pioneer Award, underscoring Arkansas Valley Electric’s strong tradition of leadership, longevity, and service to its members.

A lifelong resident of Johnson County, Davis has managed a beef cattle operation for more than 50 years.

Arkansas Valley Electric sincerely thanks Davis and his family for their years of service and their continued passion for the cooperative and its mission of changing the communities we serve.