W. Rayner Blair, III

Chairman

“The biggest challenge facing us is keeping SMECO’s rates low. Purchasing power today is very difficult, because of the price of coal and the price of crude oil and natural gas. It’s certainly not like it was a few years ago. This is easily our greatest challenge.”

Rayner Blair represents St. Mary’s County on SMECO’s Board of Directors. He was elected as the Board Chairman in September 2023. Owner of Blair’s Jewelry and Gifts and Suntime Tanning LLC, Blair also serves as president of the Blair Real Estate Development Company.

Blair has served on the Board of Cedar Lane since 2013. He is a member of the St. Clements Island Museum and St. John’s Church. An avid boater, he is the current president of the Southern Maryland Boating Club. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland.

Blair has served on the SMECO Board of Directors since 1999. He served as Vice Chairman of the Board from 2013 to 2018. He currently serves on the Board Risk Oversight Committee, and is Chairman of the Capital Projects Committee.

He received the Credentialed Cooperative Director designation in 2005 and is pursuing the Board Leadership Certificate from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.