Mr. Chiles devoted nearly five decades of service as a Director to CVEC and its member-owners, leaving a lasting impact on the Cooperative, the communities it serves, and the electric cooperative mission. As CVEC’s longest-serving Director, he represented the West District from 1977 until his retirement in 2024, providing 46 years of steady leadership, practical wisdom, and unwavering dedication to members.
Throughout his tenure on the Board, Mr. Chiles championed the interests of CVEC’s member-owners, consistently emphasizing reliable service, sound financial stewardship, and affordable electric rates. He guided the Cooperative through decades of change in the energy industry, including evolving regulations, advances in technology, and shifts in power supply and infrastructure. His business acumen, common-sense approach, and willingness to speak candidly earned the respect of fellow Directors, employees, and Cooperative members alike.
Among the accomplishments Mr. Chiles valued most was helping guide the Cooperative through the development of its rural broadband initiative. His leadership was instrumental as CVEC and Firefly Fiber BroadbandSM worked to bring high-speed internet access to thousands of unserved and underserved rural residents, extending the Cooperative’s mission of improving quality of life across the region.
In 2024, CVEC and Firefly honored Mr. Chiles for his extraordinary service and dedication. During a celebration marking 30,000 rural broadband connections, the Cooperative presented him with a resolution recognizing his 46 years of leadership and contributions to the organization’s success.
Beyond his Cooperative service, Mr. Chiles was a well-known agricultural leader and businessman. He and his family continued the legacy of Crown Orchard, while also operating Chiles Peach Orchard and Carter Mountain Orchard. Nationally recognized within the fruit-growing industry, he was named America’s Apple Packer of the Year by the U.S. Apple Association in 2014. His contributions to agriculture and the local community reflected the same commitment to service and stewardship that defined his years on the CVEC Board.
CVEC extends its deepest sympathies to the Chiles family and all who knew him. His dedication to the Cooperative and its member-owners, along with his contributions to the community he loved, truly embodied CVEC’s mission of Transforming Lives. Through his years of faithful service and commitment to others, he made a lasting impact that will be remembered for generations. His legacy remains woven into the history of CVEC and the lives of the members and communities he so faithfully served.
Below is the link to Mr. Chiles Obituary.
https://www.crozetgazette.com/2026/07/19/henry-montague-chiles/