Over 275 members attended the Annual Meeting of Wood County Electric Co-op, Inc., (WCEC), held Friday afternoon, October 6, 2023, at Governor Jim Hogg City Park in Quitman. This was the first community event held under the new pavilion, and prior to the meeting the crowd enjoyed a lively concert featuring Low D and his Jam Band.
Members were updated by WCEC’s GM and CEO, Trey Teaff, who spoke about the co-op’s strategic direction. Teaff said, “As a cooperative and a good neighbor, our mission has grown to be much more than just existing to provide electricity. Our new mission statement embraces the cooperative difference, which is to be a good steward as well as a good neighbor.”
He then spoke about five focus areas the co-op is actively enhancing within the framework of a strategic plan, including employee retention and culture, member engagement, rates, safety, and the unprecedented growth of the co-op. Teaff emphasized, “Enhancing service to our members and our community is embedded in each one of these areas and we are always striving to improve.”
Cathy Roberts, WCEC’s Board President opened the business portion of the meeting. She announced that the board has retired $1.7 million in capital credits, which will be credited to members accounts in December. She also relayed that because the director’s election was uncontested, there was no need to hold an election. Per the by-law’s uncontested elections and director candidates are deemed to be elected by member’s consent. Therefore, incumbents and sole candidates, Kenneth Langley, District 3, and Freddie Jones, District 7 were both re-elected.
Once the business meeting closed, members were treated to an extensive prize drawing of items donated by WCEC’s generous vendors. The winner of the grand prize, a $500 VISA gift card, was Bailea McGregor of Yantis.