Josh has developed national programs for co-ops for over 13 years. As part of the executive team, he supports nearly 650 Touchstone Energy cooperatives in 46 states to communicate the cooperative advantage through member experiences, national conferences and program engagement

He studied Public Relations & Advertising from Liberty University and has been a Public Address Announcer and Television Broadcaster for NCAA Division 1 sports teams and an AAA baseball team, the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. He is a worship and executive pastor in his local community and enjoys boating along the Potomac River and Lake Anna in Virginia in his spare time.

Chellie Phillips is an accomplished professional with three decades of award-winning experience in the electric cooperative industry. She currently serves as the Vice President of Communications and Public Relations for Coweta-Fayette EMC. Known for her leadership and strategic communications expertise, Chellie has played a pivotal role in shaping member engagement and fostering cooperative growth. As an international best-selling author and sought-after speaker, she combines her deep knowledge of the co-op sector with a passion for personal and professional development.

Chellie is a Certified Cooperative Communicator and member of NRECA’s Council of Rural Electric Communicators. She serves on the Member Engagement Committee for Touchstone Energy. She has received both the LaBerge Award for Excellence in Strategic Communications and the Edgar F. Chesnutt Award for Best Total Communication Program from NRECA along with the H.E. Klinefelter Award from the Cooperative Communicators Association.

She is also an experienced corporate trainer. Along with delivering programs that focus on culture building, employee engagement, and communication, she also provides instruction for NRECA’s Management Intern Program and the Certified Cooperative Communicator Program, as well as organizations like Georgia Electric Membership Corporation and Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives. Her dynamic approach and practical insights have made her a favorite at industry and professional conferences nationwide.

Outside of the office, Chellie is a proud Coke Zero addict and a firm believer in the SEC’s dominance in college football!

Steve Goodson is an accomplished business leader and strategic communications professional with over 35 years of experience driving organizational performance, employee engagement, and customer satisfaction. Recently retired as Vice President of Corporate Communications & Business Strategy at Jones-Onslow Electric Membership Corporation, Steve led high-performing teams and cross-departmental initiatives focused on innovation, stakeholder engagement, and organizational excellence. A Certified Cooperative Communicator, his expertise spans strategic planning, leadership development, crisis communication, and digital engagement, making him a trusted advisor to executive teams and boards navigating complex challenges.

Passionate about cultivating talent, Steve implemented an employee leadership development program designed to cultivate talent, build community, and prepare the next generation of leaders. His leadership has earned national recognition. His contributions have been recognized nationally, earning him the inaugural Curtis Wynn Diversity Champion Award for DEI leadership and a Top Innovator Award for his customer engagement strategies. Under his guidance, his cooperative achieved 18 consecutive years of Top Five rankings in customer satisfaction and multiple “Best of Class” communication awards. 

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Steve is deeply committed to community and industry leadership. He has served on numerous boards and advisory committees, bringing strategic insight and governance expertise to economic development and cooperative associations. 

Steve is an avid college football and basketball fan, enjoys traveling with his wife and two adult children, and can often be found walking in his neighborhood with his best friend, Charlie, a five-year-old goldendoodle.

Chelsea Hicks is a dedicated cooperative professional with over 11 years of experience in the electric cooperative industry. She began her co-op journey at Glades Electric Cooperative, where she served as the Manager of Member Services. In that role, she led efforts to improve member engagement, implement innovative technology, and streamline internal processes—including the successful rollout of a system-wide software conversion and AMI meter deployment.

Chelsea currently works as a CC&B Support Consultant with NISC, where she brings her hands-on utility experience to life by helping other cooperatives across the country optimize their use of technology and better serve their members. Her work bridges both operational strategy and customer care—making her a trusted partner to co-op teams seeking improved service, communication, and efficiency.

With a total of 16 years of customer service experience, Chelsea has built a career centered around connection, communication, and community impact. She is passionate about the cooperative business model and is strongly aligned with the Seven Cooperative Principles that guide the industry.

Outside of work, Chelsea is an avid traveler who loves planning getaways and spending quality time with her husband and their blended family of four amazing kids.