(Marietta, GA – September 27, 2023) Cobb EMC announced that Rudy Underwood is the chairman of its board of directors, succeeding David Tennant. The member-owned electric cooperative is represented by nine directors elected by its membership, each assigned a geographical district throughout its five-county service territory.

“Because Cobb EMC’s leadership team and employees are member-focused, they have accomplished many goals in our community and our industry,” said Underwood. “Reaching number one in the nation for reliability and having the lowest electric rates in Georgia are reflections of a well-managed organization and I am proud to continue collaborating with the rest of the board as chairman.”

Underwood has more than 30 years of experience managing public affairs, public policy, and public relations issues with membership-based organizations. He is Vice President of Government Affairs for the American Chemistry Council. In addition, he has served on boards of directors of several local, state, and national organizations and was the past chair of the Southern States Energy Board and the Georgia EMC Director’s Association. He received both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in public and organizational communications from the University of Georgia.

Underwood grew up on a small farm in Middle Georgia and has depended on power from an electric membership cooperative his entire life. He is an active member of Burnt Hickory Baptist Church, has two daughters, and resides in Marietta, Georgia with his wife Carol.