Different Stories. Different Communities. All Co-op Members!

Delaware Electric Cooperative is special. As the state’s only not-for-profit electric co-op, our mission is member-focused — centered on the people we power, not profits. That’s because our members are at the heart of everything we do. In 1936, our Co-op was founded by our members, and for 90 years, our team has prided itself on providing those we serve with the most affordable, reliable power possible. Just as DEC was formed on a unique, not-for-profit business model, each of our members has a unique story to tell. This year, we are proud to share some of those stories in the 14th edition of Delaware Living magazine. From local entrepreneurs, restaurateurs, organization leaders and more, the people and places we serve are empowering their communities — just as the Co-op empowers their daily lives. Different stories, different communities, but one important thread ties them together: they’re all Co-op members! 

Pit Daddy’s BBQ: Nothing says summer in Delaware like barbecue, and you’ll find no better place to satisfy your craving for the seasonal staple than at Pit Daddy’s BBQ in Smyrna. Owner and pitmaster CJ Dickerson’s passion for cooking began when he was young, helping his mother and siblings in the family kitchen while his stepfather served in the U.S. Navy. Today, Dickerson has built what he hopes will be a family legacy for his own children, keeping the themes of food and family at the center of his work.

Project Recover: Co-founded by Co-op member Dr. Mark Moline, Project Recover is a nonprofit organization created to help bring closure to the loved ones of U.S. service members who were deemed missing in action. With the help of his team, Moline travels the world to identify, retrieve and return the remains of those who made the ultimate sacrifice to their families. To date, Project Recover has located aircraft associated with approximately 200 missing Americans and contributed to the return of 23 service members.

Twin Branch Winery: Outside Milton, Co-op member Shauna Thompson and her family have transformed what used to be a quiet piece of farmland into Twin Branch Winery — a peaceful place to enjoy a good glass of wine surrounded by 9,000 grapevines. After more than a decade of planting, cultivating and restoring the property, the winery now welcomes visitors with guided tastings, live music and a relaxed atmosphere that reflects the warmth of rural Delaware. Thompson’s is a story of patience, perseverance and creating a place where you might enter as a stranger, but you will surely leave as a friend.

Sambo’s Tavern: Todd Burrows — the third-generation owner of Sambo’s Tavern in Leipsic — is carrying forward a legacy that began in 1953. What started as a one-room crab house founded by his grandfather, Sam “Sambo” Burrows, has become one of Delaware’s most iconic seafood destinations. Known for its legendary blue crabs and unwavering commitment to quality, Sambo’s remains a place where hard work, hospitality and family tradition are served in equal measure alongside every meal.

These stories represent only a fraction of those belonging to the more than 120,000 members the Co-op serves. Just as we are proud to power the homes, businesses and communities that make up our service territory, we are equally honored to share the stories of the people behind them. Read these and more featured member stories in this year’s edition of Delaware Living magazine.