What does it really mean to be a community hospital—not just a hospital in the community? 💙

In this episode, SMECO Connects host Tom Dennison sits down with Albert Zanger, Chief Administrative Officer of the University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center, to talk about leadership, culture, and the future of local health care in Southern Maryland. Albert shares how his team built a "zero-harm" culture, expanded emergency services, and continues to bring world-class care closer to home.

Key themes:

• Building a connected, compassionate workplace culture
• Expanding emergency and specialty care in Southern Maryland
• Lessons in leadership, teamwork, and community collaboration
  
  

It's a powerful conversation about service, growth, and what it means to truly care for the community you live in.

🎙 Host: Tom Dennison
👤 Guest: Albert Zanger – Chief Administrative Officer, UM Charles Regional Medical Center

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What if your electric bill could help fight climate change?

In this episode of SMECO Connects, host Tom Dennison sits down with Bennett Rushkoff, a longtime SMECO member who signed up for Rider G—SMECO’s 100% renewable energy option. Bennett shares how a simple decision to join the program transformed not only his household energy use but also his outlook on personal impact and community change.

In this conversation:

• How Rider G makes renewable energy accessible to everyone
• Lessons learned from Maryland’s evolving clean-energy market
• Why investing in green power can be part of your “giving budget”

Bennett’s story shows that going green doesn’t have to be complicated—it just starts with a single, informed choice. Tune in to learn how you can join him in powering a cleaner tomorrow.

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In this inspiring episode of SMECO Connects, host Tom Dennison and co-host Natalie Cotton sit down with Robert Riddick and Shawn Coates of the Morgan State University Southern Maryland Alumni Chapter. From scholarships that open doors for first-generation students to hands-on service projects that uplift neighborhoods, these proud Morgan graduates show what it truly means to come back and give back.

Discover how their alumni network is building opportunity across Southern Maryland — and how anyone can get involved.

Key themes:

• The power of education and mentorship
• Community impact through scholarships and service
• The legacy and pride of Morgan State University
  
  

🎓 Learn more: msusmac.org
📅 Upcoming Event: 20th Anniversary Celebration – September 13, Waldorf Jaycees

Guests:

• Robert Riddick, President, Morgan State University Southern Maryland Alumni Chapter
• Shawn Coates, Scholarship Chair, Morgan State University Southern Maryland Alumni Chapter
  
  

Hosts:

• Sonja Cox (President & CEO, SMECO)
• Tom Dennison (VP, Government & Public Affairs)
  
  

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She once struggled with math — now she’s helping students fall in love with it.
Ashley Knight, an award-winning mathematics teacher at Patuxent High School, shares how her own challenges inspired a completely new approach to teaching. From hands-on projects to real-world problem solving, she’s transforming math from a subject students fear into one they can’t wait to explore.

In this conversation, Ashley joins host Sonja Cox and co-host Natalie Cotton to discuss:

• How she rebuilt her passion for teaching after COVID burnout
• Why collaboration and creativity beat memorization
• What it really means to make math “click” for every learner
  
  

Her story is a reminder that education isn’t about perfection — it’s about connection, curiosity, and believing every student can succeed.

🎧 Tune in and get inspired by a teacher redefining what learning looks like.

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What’s it really like to build a family and a life around one of the most demanding jobs in the world? In this episode of SMECO Connects, Sonja Cox and Tom Dennison sit down with Rachel, a third-grade teacher, mom of three, and proud wife of a SMECO lineman.

Rachel opens up about the unseen sacrifices linemen and their families make—missed birthdays, long nights without sleep, and storm calls that pull them away at a moment’s notice. She shares how her family balances teaching, parenting, and supporting a husband whose work keeps our lights on.

Key themes in this conversation:

• The hidden challenges of being a lineman’s family
• How teaching and linework both serve the community
• Finding strength, pride, and perspective in sacrifice
  
  

Rachel’s story is a heartfelt reminder of the resilience and dedication that power not just our homes, but our communities.

Stay connected with SMECO:
Instagram: @somdelectric
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What does leadership look like when your mission is service, not profit?

In this episode of SMECO Connects, host Sonja Cox and co-host Tom Dennison dive deep into the unique culture of a member-owned electric cooperative. Sonja shares her journey from working in an investor-owned utility to leading SMECO as CEO, highlighting how accountability, community focus, and a people-first culture set co-ops apart.

Key themes include:

• The difference between cooperatives and investor-owned utilities
• Building trust and open-door leadership
• How culture, mentorship, and training empower employees
• Preparing for a future shaped by technology and AI
  
  

This is a powerful conversation on leadership, community, and what it means to create a culture where employees and members thrive.

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𝕏 Twitter: @somdelectric

What does it take to break cycles of poverty and homelessness in Southern Maryland? In this powerful episode, Sasha Kenneth, Executive Director of the Three Oaks Center, shares her personal journey from Trinidad to leading one of the region’s most vital nonprofits. From her own story of resilience to the community-wide fight for affordable housing, Sasha opens up about the challenges, victories, and hope that fuel her mission.

You’ll hear:

• How Three Oaks Center grew from a six-bed shelter into a cornerstone for regional homeless services
• The realities of generational poverty and why education and wraparound support are key
• Sasha’s bold vision for affordable housing and community partnerships that change lives
  
  

This is a conversation about compassion in action—and how each of us can play a role in building a stronger, more connected community.

Connect with SMECO:
Instagram: @somdelectric
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Ever wonder who’s on the other end when you call SMECO? In this episode of SMECO Connects, guest host Tom Dennison sits down with Kia Steward and Dan Wallace to spotlight the people powering the co-op’s customer experience.

Kia shares her 11-year journey from the call center to regional services, and Dan opens up about the challenges and rewards of helping members through everything from storm outages to high summer bills. Together, they reveal what it takes to serve with professionalism, empathy, and community pride.

Key themes you’ll hear:

• The human side of customer care during outages
• Tools and tips to better understand your energy usage
• Career paths and growth inside SMECO
  
  

This episode is a reminder that every call, every question, and every smile makes a difference. Tune in and meet the voices behind the service.

Connect with SMECO:
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Hosted by: Sonja Cox & Tom Dennison
Guests: Kia Steward & Dan Wallace