CEO John Bartley’s Annual Address to GCEC Members

Obviously, we are not in our usual meeting location due to the construction of our new headquarters facility. At last year’s meeting, I announced that our staff had been diligently working with engineers and contractors to determine the most cost-effective way to repair or rebuild our headquarters. After much research, it was determined that it was more cost-effective to construct a new building than to repair the existing structures.

Many factors were taken into consideration when making this decision. First, we had to consider the cost to repair roof damage, structural and foundational issues due to Hurricane Michael. We also had to consider the cost of bringing the former headquarters up to code. Our previous headquarters were built in 1956 and was added onto three times.

To support our members, we needed a building that allows us to safely shelter in place during a storm event so we can immediately begin repairing our electric system to reenergize your homes and businesses. In addition to repairs, we also outgrew the former office. There is a need for approximately 10 more offices. With safety being a No. 1 priority here at GCEC, constructing a building that implements the proper safety features helps ensure we are doing everything possible to keep employees and members safe. When all these factors were taken into consideration, it was determined that constructing a new facility would be the best use of cooperative resources. Having proper office and warehouse facilities ensures we can continue delivering a stellar level of service to our members, including residential, commercial and the Department of Defense. It is expected the new office will be completed in the fall, and we look forward to welcoming all of you next spring as we resume holding our annual meeting at our headquarters.

Attending the co-op’s annual meeting is truly seeing your democracy in action. Thank you for your participation in our election. We had nearly 3,640 members—a little more than 10% of our membership—take the time to mail in their ballots or to cast their votes online, and election results will be announced toward the conclusion of today’s meeting.

As you know, by casting your ballot, you were entered to win a gift card, an electric bill credit and the grand prize—a truck. We are proud to offer these prizes to our membership in appreciation of you taking the time to vote. And remember, every member who voted will receive a $5 bill credit.

Later this morning, we will also announce our scholarship winners. Today, we have 17 high school seniors from across our service territory joining us. These students applied to win a $1,000 award that may be used to continue their education at a college, university or technical school. We are delighted to assist these students and thank them and their families for joining us today.

While we are on the subject of youth, I am pleased to announce we are continuing the more than 50-year tradition of recognizing great students through the Rural Electric Youth Tour program. Earlier this year, local high school guidance counselors and civic organization representatives nominated high school juniors to compete for a chance to travel to Washington, D.C., this summer.

In February, all students nominated traveled to Tallahassee for our state Youth Tour. Following the Tallahassee trip, we held our Youth Tour competition, and this year’s winners are McKinley Cantwell, of Mosley High School, and Laila Suber, of Wewahitchka High School. We are proud to have them representing us in Washington this year.

I want to thank the management and employees for a job well done during the past year. Day or night, rain or shine, calm or storm, your cooperative employees work 24 hours a day, seven days a week to keep your homes comfortable and energized. We are lucky to have such incredible people working behind the scenes to power our homes, businesses and communities.

Through whatever comes our way, your cooperative’s employees and board are here to keep the power on and serve you, our members. And they are ready to answer the call and assist other co-ops, too. This past winter, we sent crews to South Carolina and Mississippi to help power restoration efforts following Winter Storm Fern.

The cooperative has recently purchased a second drone. Just one benefit of having a drone program is being able to inspect lines more efficiently so that we can restore power more quickly. It is much faster to perform inspections by flying over our lines to identify fallen trees and lightning strikes than by using bucket trucks. You may see our drones out and about, and just know they are one more way that we work to bring you quality, reliable service.

In 2011, GCEC’s 50-year contract to own and maintain the electric and water distribution systems at Tyndall Air Force Base commenced. We have completed many water and electric projects, including replacing aging infrastructure.

Today, our primary duty is helping Tyndall Air Force Base fulfill its mission to recover and rebuild from the devastation of Hurricane Michael. Supporting Tyndall is not only our job; it is our great honor. Supporting the base of the future allows GCEC to directly contribute to the security of our great country and support our freedom. We are proud to be a part of Team Tyndall.

Safety training is held at least once a month for all GCEC employees and before every job. We are also committed to safety training for our community. Today, we have safety demonstrations using our live line demonstration trailer. We hope that you will take the time to attend one of the presentations. We are proud of this trailer, built by our employees, and enjoy taking it to local schools, festivals and training sessions to educate our members and keep them safe.

GCEC has 100% participation on behalf of its employees and trustees in America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC, formerly known as the Action Committee for Rural Electrification, or ACRE. The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s federal political action committee supports candidates for the U.S. House and Senate—those in office now and running for office—who will speak for and protect the interests of electric cooperatives and their consumer-owners.

Our employees have a mission: to deliver safe, affordable and reliable power. One way that we ensure reliability is through our right-of-way program. If vegetation comes into contact with power lines, it can interfere with your electric service and cause a potentially dangerous situation. It is vital this vegetation be cleared from the power lines to provide reliable electric service and prevent a hazardous condition.

We realize most property owners regard trees as an asset. However, federal law states it is GCEC’s responsibility to eliminate hazardous conditions. The co-op tries to work with each landowner to preserve landscaping when maintaining rights of way. If we are trimming in your area, we ask that you please mark anything buried underground that can be harmed by our trucks and heavy equipment. Please be aware that we will need access to fenced-in areas. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to bring you quality, reliable service.

We know how busy everyone is these days. That’s why we offer a multitude of ways to do business with the co-op. Our lobbies and drive-thrus are open, and you can always reach a friendly cooperative employee over the phone during regular business hours. Don’t forget that our drop boxes, automated phone system and website are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for payments or for reporting power outages.

If you haven’t downloaded our app, we encourage you to do so. It is available from the App Store for iPhone users and from Google Play for Android users. It offers a variety of convenient features, including the ability to view and pay your bill and to report an outage.

And don’t forget, if you can’t make it to one of our office locations, you can pay your bill at retailers such as CVS pharmacy, Dollar General and Family Dollar. Visit GCEC.sedccheckout.com to get started.

We are proud to offer rebate programs for electric vehicles, HVAC and water heaters, as well as products including GenerLink, meter poles and surge protectors. For more information, please stop by the marketing table and speak to Shannon Hill. We also have Bobby Hutchinson of Conexon with us today, offering information on fiber internet service coming to our area. Sign up today, and enter to win a 50-inch smart TV.

On behalf of all your co-op employees and board here providing this great celebration for you, please enjoy our annual meeting, our celebration of you, our member-owners. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve all of you. Thank you again for your time and attention this morning.