Board of Directors

Board member since 2011. Ed Crowell worked for 24 years as CEO of Cobb-based Georgia Motor Trucking Association Inc. Crowell has more than 15 years experience serving as a board member for several national member-based organizations and 25 years of government affairs work. His early career included training in finance and accounting, public policy research and some work with financial due-diligence teams. Crowell holds degrees from Liberty University and Georgia State University. He is an active volunteer in the community, including at church and in other charitable projects around the area. Crowell was also appointed to the Cobb Neighborhood Safety Commission by KSU President Sam Olens, who was Cobb County Commissioner at the time. Ed and his wife, Cynthia, reside in Powder Springs and have two children.

Certifications: Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD) Certification, Board Leadership Certification (BLC) and Director Gold credential from NRECA

Rudy Underwood recently retired from the American Chemistry Council after more than 30 years of service as Vice President of Government Affairs. In this role, he played a key part in shaping legislative and regulatory policies affecting the chemical industry.

In addition to serving on the Cobb EMC Board of Directors, Rudy continues to advise companies and organizations on political and legislative strategy. He is also speaks at conferences and seminars, sharing his expertise on leadership, advocacy, and strategic planning.

Before his tenure at the American Chemistry Council, Rudy served as Legislative Director for the Georgia Farm Bureau and worked on Capitol Hill, gaining extensive experience in public policy and government affairs.

A proud graduate of the University of Georgia, Rudy holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in public and organizational communications. Raised on a small farm in Middle Georgia, he has relied on electric membership cooperatives for power his entire life.

An active member of Burnt Hickory Baptist Church, Rudy is deeply committed to faith, community, and service. He and his wife, Carol, have two adult daughters.

Certifications: Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD) Certification and Board Leadership Certificate and Director Gold credential from NRECA

Bodner has been in education for the past 29 years and is currently a Title I District Academic Coach for Cobb County Schools. She holds a specialist degree from Kennesaw State University in Education Leadership. She is an advocate for science where she organizes county and statewide science events and serves on the Georgia Science Teachers Association Board. Bodner has been recognized for her leadership as a LiveSafe Resources Women of Achievement nominee, Georgia’s Science Teacher of the Year, Campbell High School Volunteer of the Year and Russell Elementary Teacher of the Year. She enjoys volunteering with MUST Ministries, Chattahoochee River Keepers, and Keep Smyrna Beautiful. Bodner has been a Cobb EMC member for 24 years and lives in Smyrna with her husband. She has a son who is a junior at the University of Cincinnati and her family enjoys exploring our National Parks.

Certifications: Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD) Certification, Board Leadership Certification (BLC), Director Gold credential from NRECA

David McClellan has been a Cobb EMC member for more than 30 years. He is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Cash Manager with more than 35 years of managerial and executive experience. He has experience in public accounting, Fortune 500 companies as well as privately held organizations; which includes 12 years of experience with a public utility. McClellan holds a bachelor's degree in accounting and a MBA in finance from Georgia State University. He is currently CFO for an Atlanta based non-profit. McClellan has been active in the community through youth softball coaching, the Y-Guides parent/child program and involvement with children’s programs at area churches. He and his wife, Carmen, live in East Cobb’s Chimney Springs subdivision and have two children and two grandchildren.

Certifications: Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD) Certification, Board Leadership Certification (BLC) and Director Gold credential from NRECA, Certified Public Accountant, Certified Cash Manager, Six Sigma Green Belt

William C. Sharp, III (Tripper) has served on the Cobb EMC Board of Directors since 2012. Currently Sharp serves as the chairman of the board at Gas South, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cobb EMC. He is President and CEO of Sharp Home Care which provides in-home senior care services throughout metro Atlanta. Previously he spent 20 years in the financial services industry holding multiple leadership roles including executive management. He is a graduate of Kennesaw State University, and resides in Acworth with his wife Marlo and their four children.

Certifications: Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD), Board Leadership Certification (BLC) and Director Gold credential from NRECA

David Tennant, PE, PMP, MBA, is an industry leader with over 30 years of experience in the utility, energy, and manufacturing industries. His expertise spans consulting, engineering, operations, and senior management, with a proven track record of overseeing more than $3.5 billion in programs withfull P&L accountability.

He has successfully led high-impact initiatives worldwide, including spearheading the turnaround of a major Caribbean utility, resulting in $140 million in annual operating cost savings. His experience encompasses traditional, nuclear, and alternative energy power generation, with engagements across Canada, New Zealand, the UAE, Germany, the Caribbean, and the Czech Republic.

An accomplished author, David has written one book and over 20 papers on technical and managerial topics. He is a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) and a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). Additionally, he has taught courses at the University of Georgia and Emory University.

David lives in Kennesaw with his wife, Jan.

Certifications: Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD) Certification, Board Leadership Certification (BLC) and Director Gold credential from NRECA, P.E., Professional Engineer, and PMP, Project Management Professional (PMI)

Malcolm “Cooter” Swanson has been a board member since 2011. He is a life-long resident of Cobb County. Swanson is a graduate of Troy University with a degree in mathematics. Swanson has owned a screen-printing and embroidery business in Cobb for over 30 years. He served on the Cobb County Parks and Recreation Commission for more than 15 years serving as chairman for two terms. Swanson also serves on the board of directors of the North Georgia State Fair and has served as president. Swanson attends Marietta First Baptist Church and has served as Chair of the Trustees and as a Deacon. Swanson is married to Nancy Dansby Swanson and has three children; Chase, an attorney in Marietta, Lindsey, Doctor of Psychology in Atlanta and Dansby, an Atlanta Braves baseball player.

Certifications: Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD) Certification, Board Leadership Certification (BLC), Director Gold certification from NRECA

Bryan Boyd has served on the Board of Directors since 2012, in different roles, including chairman of the Cobb EMC board. Boyd is President and CEO at Archer Restoration Services which provides 24-hour emergency service for fire, water, and mold remediation. Previously, Boyd spent 25 years with Pacesetter Graphics manufacturing organization as vice president. Boyd studied at Kennesaw State University with a focus on business management. Boyd resides in Hickory Spring Subdivision with his wife and is a father of three daughters.

Certifications: Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD) Certification, Board Leadership Certification (BLC) and Director Gold credential from NRECA

Board member since 2012. He has a diverse background including aerospace engineering, technology, sales, management consulting, construction and nonprofit. Broadwell has consulted for the boards of some of the nation’s largest financial companies and for a local utility to implement an deployed asset GIS system. His career in information technology led him to join IBM to manage the successful launches of some of the first online banking websites and EDS in sales. He has designed aircraft for large corporations including Lockheed, Boeing and McDonnell Douglas, where his designs are still in use. He is the owner of Splash Aero a mobile aircraft maintenance company. Broadwell’s hobbies include flying, construction, hunting, cycling and golf. He has three children and has been a Cobb EMC member since 2001.
 
Certifications: Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD) Certification, Board Leadership Certification (BLC) and Director Gold credential from NRECA, Certified Manager and Project Manager