JOEMC CEO Ricky Maready Named Man of the Year

Jones-Onslow EMC CEO Ricky Maready has been named the 2025 Jacksonville Onslow Golden Eagle Man of the Year by the Jacksonville-Onslow Chamber of Commerce. He was presented with this honor at the Chamber’s 82nd Annual Membership Celebration, held on July 29.  

For more than 37 years, Ricky Maready has dedicated his career to serving the members of Jones-Onslow Electric Membership Corporation. Today, as Chief Executive Officer, he leads one of North Carolina’s largest and fastest-growing electric cooperatives. But his journey to become CEO didn’t begin there.

Throughout those 37 years, Ricky has served in many roles across the cooperative. Whether it was setting poles, reading meters, helping members understand their electric usage, or leading major infrastructure projects, he has experienced firsthand the work that keeps the lights on. That journey has made him a leader who is deeply respected because he has walked in the shoes of the employees he now leads. He understands their challenges, values their contributions, and has never forgotten where he started.

Under Ricky‘s leadership, Jones-Onslow EMC has continued to strengthen its electric system, improve reliability, invest in critical infrastructure, and prepare for the tremendous growth taking place across our region. But anyone who knows Ricky knows his greatest accomplishment isn’t measured by the projects he’s completed or the title he holds.

It’s measured by the people he’s impacted.

One phrase has followed Ricky throughout his career, and it perfectly captures the kind of leader he is. Whenever an important decision was being discussed, he often asks one simple question:

“How will this affect the little old lady at the end of the line?”

That question says everything about Ricky. It reflects his belief that leadership is about people—that every member matters, every family matters, and every decision should be made with those who depend on you in mind.

That same philosophy extends far beyond his career.

Ricky never meets a stranger. He has a remarkable ability to make everyone feel welcome, valued, and respected. He’s the kind of person who remembers your name, asks about your family, and is always willing to lend a helping hand. He doesn’t serve for recognition or applause. He serves because that’s simply who he is.

That servant’s heart has been evident throughout more than 37 years of community involvement. Ricky has exemplified Rotary International’s motto, “Service Above Self,” as a longtime member, Past President, and current Board Member of the Sneads Ferry Rotary Club. He has played a vital role in countless charitable initiatives and community events, including the Rotary King Mackerel Tournament and the Sneads Ferry Shrimp Festival.

His commitment to service extends throughout Onslow County. Ricky currently serves on the Jacksonville-Onslow Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and has been a dedicated member of the Military Affairs Committee for many years, including serving as Chairman of the MAC Fish Fry and continuing today on the MAC Steering Committee. He is also a former board member of One Place, served on the Albert J. Ellis Airport Advisory Commission, and has been active with the Sneads Ferry Community Council.

Whether leading an organization, serving his community, or simply helping a neighbor, Ricky has always led with humility, compassion, and a genuine desire to make life better for others. His legacy is not defined by the positions he has held, but by the countless lives he has touched through his leadership, generosity, and unwavering commitment to serving others.