From cutting rights-of-way at 18 to CEO by 35, Mike Fuller of Berkeley Electric Cooperative joins host Sara Orellana to unpack a three-decade rise, the mentors who shaped it, and the mindset that “when opportunity comes, it’s too late to prepare.” He also explains why he is pursuing a PhD at Clemson to bridge research and practice, and what humility and continuous learning look like in the C-suite.
Inside the cooperative model, Mike details how member ownership, a focus on safe, reliable, affordable power, and measurable givebacks drive community impact, including returning nearly $8 million to members and supporting programs like backpacks and lunch buddies. He shares why “no one does it alone,” how he builds trust across every role, and why complacency is the enemy of service. Practical leadership, servant heart, real-world impact.
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– Sara and the Route to Success Podcast Team
Connect with Sara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-c-orellana/
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