CEO’s Message – December 2024

Feeling the Warmth

I sure do love the holidays. We probably won’t get snowfall, but that’s never mattered much to me. The best part of the season is spending time with family, sharing meals, stories, and laughter. As a father and grandfather, I’m constantly reminded that family is the greatest gift of all. It’s those moments with loved ones that fill me with pride and joy — and they’re also a reminder of the importance of our mission here at Wiregrass Electric. Just as I want my family to feel safe, warm, and cared for, I want every one of our members to feel that same sense of security and support from us.

At our 85th Annual Meeting, we reflected on the strength of this community and our commitment to serving each of you as a trusted energy provider. Connecting and reflecting on the cooperative’s achievements and the road ahead is always a privilege. As we do every year, our team shared updates on our mission, our vision, and our commitment to being your trusted energy provider.

We welcomed Sandy Morris as the newly elected board trustee for District 8. Randy Odom, representing District 2, and Tracy Reeder, representing District 5, will continue serving on the board. Kip Justice will serve as board president, with Randy Odom as vice president and Debra Eubanks Baxley as secretary. With these dedicated leaders at the helm, we’re confident that Wiregrass Electric is in experienced, capable hands.

As winter sets in, one of the most important ways we serve you is by managing peak demand. When those crisp, chilly mornings arrive, we rely on our heaters and hot water to get us going. Those early-morning hours between 6 and 9 a.m. are when our system sees the highest demand. It’s that demand that drives up costs, which can impact everyone’s bill.

That’s why we’ve been working hard to share tips and information, including on the page to the right, about how members can help manage peak times, and I’ve been encouraged to see so many folks taking part. By making small adjustments — like lowering the thermostat a few degrees or waiting to run large appliances later in the day — we can keep our system running smoothly and our costs manageable. Our goal is for all members to understand how peak demand affects the cooperative, and together, we’re making strides toward that.

Of course, preparing for the winter season means investing in a strong and resilient system. This year, we’ve made upgrades to power lines and strengthened our outage response systems to make sure we’re ready for whatever winter brings our way. And when the lights do go out, we’ve got a team that’s ready to respond. I’m incredibly proud of our team for answering the call to support our sister cooperative in Georgia with their restoration efforts. Their willingness to step up in challenging times shows true dedication to service and community. I also want to recognize the families who support them; their patience and understanding while our team members are away make all the difference. It’s a real commitment from both our crews and their loved ones, and I’m grateful for their resilience and sacrifices.

As we close out another year, I’m deeply grateful for your trust and support. Just like family, this cooperative exists for us to look out for each other, and I’m honored to be part of it. From all of us at Wiregrass Electric, we wish you and your loved ones a safe and warm Christmas.

And remember, if you need us, we’re just a call away.