CEO’s Message – November 2024

I always enjoy getting the chance to connect with our members — whether it’s at community events, through your feedback from surveys and elsewhere, or just in a friendly conversation. You remind me every day why Wiregrass Electric Cooperative (WEC) exists — to serve and support the people of this community. We’re not just your electric provider, we’re your neighbors, and we’re committed to making life better for everyone in the Wiregrass.

We're especially encouraged by the recent results of our member satisfaction survey, which brought to light some very positive feedback about our service. Our members have affirmed that they’re satisfied with the reliability of our service and the professionalism of our team. You told us that our member service staff is courteous, knowledgeable, and always ready to help. We couldn’t agree more. We’re proud of our team members and their dedication to serving you with the highest standards of excellence.

1 area where we’ve seen encouraging progress is in our members’ understanding of peak demand. We’ve talked before about how peak demand — the highest amount of electricity used at 1 time — affects the price we pay for power. This is why we must manage these peak times, especially during high-demand hours, to keep costs down for everyone.

We believe part of this increased awareness is a result of the price signals we’ve implemented and the efforts we’ve made to educate our members on why these high-demand periods matter. We’re getting closer to our goal of having 100% of members understand what peak demand is, when our peak hours are — 6 a.m. through 9 a.m. in the winter — and how this affects wholesale power costs. Your involvement in managing energy use during these times is making a real difference, and we couldn’t be more grateful.

This feedback is more than just numbers on a page. It’s a reflection of the kind of relationship we’ve built with our members. It’s a reminder that, even as we face challenges like rising costs and regulatory changes, we’re still delivering on our promise to be a cooperative you can trust.

While we’re working hard to manage costs and provide reliable service, we’re also deeply committed to giving back to the Wiregrass community, with your support. 1 of the ways we do this is through our Operation Round Up Foundation. Recently, we hosted our annual golf tournament, which raised an incredible $50,000 for the foundation. These funds will go directly to supporting local causes and helping those in need right here in our community.

From providing grants to local schools and charities to helping families facing hardships, Operation Round Up is a testament to what we can accomplish when we work together. Whether it’s managing peak demand or supporting community initiatives, your participation and generosity make a huge impact.

As we move forward, our focus remains on providing you with the reliable, affordable service you expect, while being a good neighbor in the Wiregrass community. We’re committed to ensuring that every member understands peak demand, how it affects your bill, and what you can do to help keep costs down. Together, we can achieve our goal of informing and engaging every member in these efforts.

Thank you for being an essential part of Wiregrass Electric Cooperative. Your feedback, participation, and support help us to continuously improve and serve you better. We’re in this together, and we’re excited about the future we’re building — with you — right here in the Wiregrass.

As always, if you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly and knowledgeable member service team. And thank you for helping us make a difference in the community we all call home.