[Charlottesville, VA] – Central Virginia Electric Cooperative (CVEC) and its subsidiary, Firefly Fiber BroadbandSM, honored Henry Chiles, their longest-serving board member, for his 46 years of service to the Board of Directors. Chiles was presented with a resolution during Firefly’s Broadband Independence Bash celebrating 30,000 rural broadband connections at the scenic Carter Mountain Orchard, owned by Chiles. Attendees included members of the Chiles family, fellow Directors, and Firefly and CVEC fiber project partners.
Mr. Chiles announced his plans to retire in late 2023 and continued to serve on the Board until an interim director was selected to fill his seat. An integral member of the Board, Chiles played a pivotal role in the launch of the rural broadband project and guided the Cooperative through significant challenges and remarkable achievements over the past four decades. His dedication and contributions have been instrumental in shaping the Cooperative’s success and growth.
"We are deeply grateful for Henry's unwavering commitment and service," said Gary Wood, CVEC President and CEO. "His leadership and vision have been critical to our progress, and his legacy will continue to inspire us."
Mr. Chiles’ history with the Cooperative started at a young age. As a boy, he helped to “cut the line in” for CVEC to run electricity to the cold storage shed at his family’s apple business. Henry Chiles is no stranger to hard work, speaking directly, and applying common sense.
Since joining the CVEC board in 1977, Chiles has represented the West District including counties of Augusta, Albemarle, Greene, and Nelson. He served as a dedicated leader with excitement and enthusiasm for the Cooperative’s business model, mission, and its member owners. Using his business-savvy approach throughout nearly 5 decades of service, he has never wavered from his dedication to CVEC members and his goal of keeping energy bills as low as possible.
“Serving on the CVEC board has been an honor and I am very grateful to the members for continuing to entrust me to represent their best interests,” stated Chiles. “Throughout my time on the board, I’ve had the privilege of working with multiple CEOs and fellow directors and have seen the Cooperative take on significant changes in the industry from regulations to technology to power supply. I’m thankful to have served on the board during CVEC’s rural broadband project and to have witnessed and been a part of so many accomplishments. I’m confident that the Cooperative is in excellent hands and will continue its member-focus and mission to transform lives.”
Mr. Chiles and his children continued the family’s apple business known as Crown Orchard - a legacy that began with both of his grandfathers. Mr. Chiles owns Chiles Peach Orchard and Carter Mountain Orchard and is recognized nationally as a business leader among fruit growers. In 2014, he was selected as America’s Apple Packer of the Year by the U.S. Apple Association. CVEC extends its gratitude and heartfelt wishes for a happy retirement spent at his farms and with family. His impact on CVEC and the local community will be remembered and appreciated for years to come.
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Central Virginia Electric Cooperative is a member-owned, not-for-profit, electric utility serving 39,000 homes, farms, and businesses in the rural portions of 14 Virginia counties. CVEC connects its members and communities through reliable power and broadband services, delivering world-class, high-speed internet service through its subsidiary, Firefly Fiber Broadband. CVEC and its subsidiary are equal opportunity providers and employers.