Harris and Zilliott Elected to NOVEC Board of Directors

Contact: Priscilla Knight, 703-392-1580, pknight@novec.com

MANASSAS, VA—Customer-owners of the Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative elected Harry Harris of Purcellville, Va., and William Zilliott of South Riding, Va., to the NOVEC board of directors at the Co-op's annual meeting on September 26 at Battlefield High School in Haymarket, Va. Harris and Zilliott will each serve a four-year term on the nine-member board.  

Harry Harris

Harris will represent NOVEC's District 2, which includes Loudoun County—except South Riding—and Clarke County. Speaking before approximately 1,200 Co-op customer-owners, Harris said his experience working as a property manager and member of various homeowners' associations will help him work with homeowners and developers.

Harris said, "I'm interested in NOVEC's electric service in all its territories. I'd like to see NOVEC continue its outstanding business operation, and continue to provide efficient, reliable service at reasonable rates. I want developers to know about NOVEC's street lights program; safety is very important. I want to promote NOVEC's load management program, which helps control costs for everyone."

Before moving to Purcellville in 2000 from Herndon, Va., Harris worked as a commercial property manager for Armstrong Management Services, based in Fairfax, Va. Previously, he worked 25 years as a supervisor for Grand Union and then Magruder's grocery stores in the metropolitan Washington area. Harris currently serves on the Wright Farm board of directors in Purcellville.He is president of Tall Tree South Condo Association in Annandale, Va., and Lancaster Condo Association in Arlington, Va.

Harris, an Arlington native, and his wife, Melinda, have three children and five grandchildren.Harris' volunteer work includes serving as a guardian for several needy people.

William Zilliott

Zilliott will serve as NOVEC's At-large director. He told the Co-op customer-owners that his 25 years of experience working in emergency planning as an U.S. Air Force officer, and currently as a risk management consultant, will help NOVEC "anticipate problems and prepare the Cooperative for the next generation of growth." He said, "I hope to contribute insights on emergency preparedness, energy economics, management and operational risks."

Zilliott praised the Cooperative's strategic planning. "Twenty years ago, NOVEC had the foresight to plan for the dramatic growth this area has experienced by investing in the necessary infrastructure. I appreciate the fact that the Cooperative has kept the lights on and always restores power very quickly when storm interruptions occur."

The Butler, Pa., native has a master's degree in business administration from Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania, and has completed course work for a doctorate in engineering management. He is a founding member of the Mid-Atlantic/D.C. Association of Contingency Planners.

Zilliott moved to the Washington, D.C., area in 1993 and South Riding in 2004. He has two children. Zilliott volunteers for Habitat for Humanity and other community organizations.

NOVEC Board Directors

J. Manley Garber, chairman

Wade House, vice chairman

Michael Ragan, secretary

Walter Grove, treasurer

William Zilliott

James Chesley

Cynthia Gilbride

Harry Harris

Ann Wheeler