Case Study
Scroll to preview!
GO-Live Date
December 23, 2024
Trusted Web Experts
Charlie Stanley
Web Solutions Architect
Leanna Thesken
Project Manager & Marketing
Imelda Sotiri
Design Strategy & Layout
Nikki Vanderkooi
Content Strategy & Quality Assurance
Heather Clark
Content Integration
Katie Morman
Content Visualization
Mehran Aziz
Web Developer
Michael Confalone
Training & Website Launch
Deanna Frimann
Resource Allocation
Goals
Overview
Redefining Engagement Through Design
Central Electric Cooperative (CEC), a member-owned, not-for-profit electric utility, has been serving central Oregon communities since 1941. With a mission to represent their members’ best interests and provide reliable, affordable electric energy, CEC sought to modernize their website to reflect their community-focused values. They partnered with Powerful to create a website that highlights their local impact, encourages visitor engagement, and offers an intuitive experience.
Showcasing the Heart of the Community
CEC wanted their website to do more than provide utility information… It needed to reflect the heartbeat of their community. A major goal was to feature initiatives like the Washington, D.C. Youth Tour and Line-worker Scholarship Program to inspire engagement and participation.
Powerful implemented their Laurelhurst Promotional blueprint, creating a homepage design that seamlessly blends vibrant visuals and clear calls to action. Sections like the Youth Tour and Line-worker Scholarship Program are prominently displayed, complete with engaging headlines and direct links to learn more or apply. These sections highlight CEC’s commitment to empowering future leaders and supporting career pathways.
By emphasizing these programs, the new website both informs and inspires action. The clear and inviting layout increases visibility for these initiatives, making it easier for members—especially students and their families—to get involved. The modern design reflects CEC’s commitment to their community, reinforcing their role as a cooperative that cares about the next generation.
Bringing the Community to Life
To further reinforce their local focus, CEC wanted the website to feel deeply rooted in the community, reflecting their role as a cooperative run by family, friends, and neighbors.
Powerful designed a custom footer illustration featuring landmarks like the Deschutes River and the Three Sisters Cascades. The illustration’s vibrant colors and seamless integration into the website’s color scheme add warmth and personality to the design.
This personalized touch humanizes the browsing experience, setting CEC apart from large corporate utilities. It reminds members that their cooperative is not a distant entity but a group of neighbors, family, and friends working together to serve their community. By tying the design to the unique identity of the region, the illustrated footer creates pride and strengthens the connection between CEC and its members.
Challenges
Central Electric Cooperative (CEC) regularly handles personal identifiable information (PII) from its members. Membership applications and other web forms require sensitive details, such as addresses and contact information, to ensure seamless account setup and service management. While collecting this information is essential for operations, it also comes with the responsibility of keeping it secure. With increasing cybersecurity threats, CEC needed a solution to ensure that member data remained protected without compromising the accessibility and efficiency of its online services.Solutions
To address these concerns, CEC added Powerful’s Premium Security Package to its redesigned website. This package includes essential protections such as military-grade encryption (AES-256) to keep sensitive data safe, both when it’s sent and stored. Features like real-time IP blacklisting and automatic blocking of risky traffic add extra layers of defense against cyber threats. Additionally, secure field integration ensures that personal information is automatically redacted in emails and the website’s CMS, reducing the chance of unauthorized access.Results
With the Premium Security Package in place, CEC now operates with heightened confidence in its ability to protect member data. These advanced features create a secure environment for web forms, making it easier for members to submit sensitive details without hesitation. From membership applications to service requests, the cooperative’s digital processes are more secure than ever, which helps maintain member trust and reinforces CEC’s reputation as a reliable, community-driven organization.Beyond just preventing potential risks, these measures also enhance CEC's resiliency. By proactively addressing cybersecurity concerns, CEC demonstrates its commitment to modernizing operations while prioritizing member privacy.
Mobile gallery
Explore the mobile view
Quotes
Team Comments
Working with Central Electric Cooperative was a true collaboration, focused on creating a website that balances functionality with a warm, community-driven feel. From highlighting key programs to enhancing accessibility, every detail was thoughtfully designed with their members in mind. Bringing a cooperative’s values to life online is always rewarding, especially when it strengthens the connection between members and their local co-op.
Project Manager
Page gallery
Explore the pages
