By Dr. Stephen McKeever, vice president for research and technology transfer, Oklahoma State University

History proves that technology and innovation drive the progress of our nation and the economy. Throughout the history of the world as our societies and cultures advanced, innovation was required to keep up – and better yet to get ahead.

By Rick Krysiak, physical plant director, Oklahoma State University

All utilities use similar technologies to deliver electricity to their consumers, whether we’re talking about a municipal, a cooperative or a utility serving a university. However, because these utilities operate independently from each other, most of the technology deployed by each is redundant.

By David Hedrick, vice president, manager, business analytics, C.H. Guernsey & Co.

For much of the last century, the U.S. electricity generation, transmission and distribution systems have seen relatively minor technological progress, and nothing, really, that the average consumer would take note of. The system is a marvel of engineering that has a remarkable record for reliability. Most energy consumers only ask that the power is available when they need it and the utility bill doesn’t break the bank.

By David Swank, CEO, Central Rural Electric Cooperative

Accountability could be defined as a person who does the difficult things even when he or she does not feel like doing them. In other words, accountability is where leaders are not blown by the winds or storms of the moment.