Mobile Courant

Two Alabamians, Wiregrass Electric Cooperative CEO Brad Kimbro and Alabama Rural Water Association President Mark Bohlin, testified today in a U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (AG) Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy hearing. The session was convened 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,” Kimbro and Bohlin discussed measures to improve reliability and funding for rural water and electric systems. Topics included workforce development, cybersecurity, program flexibilities, and potential additions to the upcoming Farm Bill aimed at enhancing service reliability in rural areas following natural disasters.

Senator Tuberville introduced both witnesses with detailed backgrounds:

“Thank you, we do have two good witnesses here from my state of Alabama," said Tuberville about Mark Bohlin from Foley. "Mr. Mark Bohlin... serves as the General Manager of the Perdido Bay Water, Sewer, and Fire Protection District in Baldwin County... He is a grade four water operator with the State of Alabama and a state-certified electrician... 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."

Regarding Brad Kimbro from Ashford: “Our next distinguished guest [is] Mr. Brad Kimbro from the Wiregrass in Ashford... He is the General Manager and CEO of Wiregrass Electric Cooperative... has three decades of experience—I know you don’t look that old but three decades—in the electric cooperative industry... actively involved with the Alabama Rural Electric Cooperative Association and the national association NRECA.”

Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and serves on several committees including Armed Services; Agriculture; Veterans’ Affairs; Health Education Labor Pensions (HELP).