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SECO Energy’s Pennies Program Donates $3,485 to the American Cancer Society

SECO Energy’s Pennies from Heaven program recently donated $3,485 to the American Cancer Society. From October 1 through November 15, for every new SECO Energy member who enrolled in SECO’s Surge MitiGator surge protection program, the not-for-profit electric cooperative pledged to donate $5 from the Pennies from Heaven program to a local chapter of the American Cancer Society. A total of 697 SECO members enrolled during that timeframe and resulted in a $3,485 donation.

 

The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. The organization is taking action to battle a disease that has affected millions. In the United States, 600,000 die of cancer each year. The organization funds and conducts cancer research, supports cancer patients, shares expert information and cancer prevention tips to help people live longer – and better. Learn how you can donate or volunteer at the American Cancer Society.

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “Thank you, members, who donated spare change to our Pennies from Heaven program. Those extra pennies allow SECO to contribute to worthy causes in our service area. While the vast majority of Pennies from Heaven funding is allocated for bill payment assistance and educational initiatives for our members, I am pleased that we can support our local American Cancer Society to help in the fight against cancer.”

 

Although the Pennies from Heaven fundraiser is over, members can still enroll in the surge protection program. Take the bite out damaging surges and spikes with the Surge MitiGator. Power surges are caused by lightning, vehicles crashing into utility poles, small animals, birds or fallen trees.

 

SECO’s made in the USA meter-based surge arrester reduces surges BEFORE they enter your home through the meter. The Surge MitiGator has a beastly 15-year warranty and is designed to protect your home’s large-motor appliances. Household appliances and sensitive electronics such as televisions and computers can be damaged or destroyed by power surges and also require point-of-use devices for adequate protection.

 

Lease the MitiGator for only $5.95 plus tax per month plus a $25 installation fee. The purchase price ranges from $349 to $399, with installation included. Visit our Surge MitiGator website section to learn more about the program, to read the warranty and to complete the web form to enroll.

 

The Pennies from Heaven program rounds up monthly SECO bills to the nearest dollar and uses the spare pennies to fund member bill payment assistance and local, worthy causes. Visit Pennies from Heaven and complete the web form to enroll. Conversely, members who need help paying their bill should visit SECOEnergy.com and click on the “Find Bill Payment Help” banner. Use the interactive map to locate a social service agency that receives Pennies from Heaven funding from SECO Energy.

 

“Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

 

Gresco Partnership Pays Capital Credits to SECO Energy

SECO Energy has a long-standing partnership with fellow not-for-profit cooperative Gresco Utility Supply that benefits SECO members in the form of Capital Credits. Gresco’s Senior Vice President of Supplier Relationships Todd McLellan presented CEO Jim Duncan with a check for $336,327 that represents SECO’s share of Gresco’s current Capital Credit retirement cycle.

 

Gresco Utility Supply was formed by 15 electric cooperatives in 1960. SECO Energy is one of Gresco’s member-owners and earns allocated margins annually from Gresco based on that year’s supply purchases. Gresco has grown from a small cooperative serving the southeastern region into a supply-chain partner with a diverse portfolio that includes products and services in lighting, tools, telecom, solar, EV charging stations and unmanned aircraft systems.

 

McLellan values SECO’s partnership with Gresco and stated, “SECO Energy is a valued partner of Gresco Utility Supply. We are thankful for our continued relationship with a large and fast-growing cooperative like SECO Energy. A cooperative principle is Cooperation among Cooperatives and is a foundation of both Gresco and SECO’s business models. Cooperatives doing business with other – like -minded cooperatives – makes sense.”

 

SECO Energy CEO Duncan stated, “Central Florida communities are growing at an astounding pace and SECO Energy is welcoming new members every day. Having a valued supply-chain partner like Gresco enables SECO to procure the construction material we need to meet the growing demand for new services. Gresco also aids in securing material needed to expand and upgrade SECO’s existing electric infrastructure. Gresco is our valued partner and we’re honored to be a member-owner of the cooperative.”

 

Gresco is SECO Energy’s premier supply partner. SECO Energy’s equity in the company is now over $12,776,000 million making it one of Gresco’s largest member-owners by equity.

 

As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO Energy also returns a portion of its margins in the form of Capital Credits to current and former members. With the Board of Trustees’ approval, current members received their Capital Credits retirement on their November billing statement.

 

To learn more about Capital Credits, visit SECOEnergy.com>Your Co-op>Capital Credits. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

 

SECO Energy Board of Trustees Selects New CEO

SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees recently voted to hire a new CEO to step into the shoes of retiring CEO Jim Duncan, who led the cooperative as CEO for most of his long and distinguished 43-year tenure. SECO Energy currently provides electric service to 220,000 homes and businesses across seven counties in fast-growing Central Florida. SECO Energy is a J.D. Power award-winning electric utility and is a frontrunner statewide and nationally with the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI).

 

The candidate selected by the Board of Trustees from both internal executives and external applicants is Mr. Curtis Wynn who has been the President and CEO of Roanoke Electric Cooperative in North Carolina since 1997, a not-for-profit electric utility that serves 14,000 members. Prior to that, Mr. Wynn was the Vice President of Member Services, Information Technology, Marketing and Economic Development from 1981 to 1997 at West Florida Electric Cooperative. Mr. Wynn steps in at SECO Energy in time to transition into Jim Duncan’s departure date of January 3, 2022.

 

Mr. Wynn is married with three children and is a graduate of Troy University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration & Management Information Systems. With nearly 42 years of experience in the electric cooperative industry, Mr. Wynn’s resume reflects a long list of awards and accomplishments showing a history of supporting creative solutions that are turning the challenges of the energy industry evolution into major opportunities.

 

Mr. Wynn also serves or has served on a variety of boards including: immediate past board president, National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association (NRECA); past president, vice president and secretary-treasurer of North Carolina Electric Membership Cooperative; board member, North Carolina’s Association of Electric Cooperatives; board member, Meridian Cooperative (formerly Southeastern Data Cooperative – SEDC); and past nominating committee member, CoBank.

 

SECO Energy is a not-for-profit electric cooperative, operated for and owned by its members. SECO’s nine-member Board of Trustees consists of members who live in SECO’s service area. They are elected to oversee the governance of the cooperative. Each Trustee on the Board is elected by the members who reside in his/her District. Collectively, the Trustees are responsible for establishing, reviewing and revising corporate policies to ensure that SECO continues to preserve reliable, affordable service for all members.

 

SECO Energy Board of Trustees President Richard Dennison stated, “Welcome, Mr. Wynn. Our expectation is that you continue the extremely successful legacy that CEO Jim Duncan nurtured throughout his career with SECO Energy and to see our cooperative into the future supporting our strategic goal of providing affordable, reliable electric service.”

 

To view brief bios of SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees and a District boundaries map, visit SECOEnergy.com>Your Co-op>Board of Trustees. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

 

SECO Energy Trustee Morgan Hatfield Earns Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate

SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees District 9 Trustee Morgan Hatfield has earned her Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD) Certificate from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). Achieving the CCD certificate is the initial step in the NRECA’s Director Education Program.

 

According to the NRECA, directors/trustees seeking the CCD certification must complete five courses that focus on basic cooperative governance and the essential skills needed for cooperative directors/trustees. The CCD prepares directors/trustees to fulfill their fiduciary duty as elected officials serving on behalf of their membership. Upon completion of the five CCD required courses, directors/trustees are awarded the Credential Cooperative Director Certificate.

 

SECO Energy is a not-for-profit electric cooperative, operated for and owned by its members. SECO’s nine-member Board of Trustees consists of members who live in SECO’s service area. They are elected to oversee the governance of the cooperative. Each Trustee on the Board is elected by the members who reside in his/her District. Collectively, the Trustees are responsible for establishing, reviewing and revising corporate policies to ensure that SECO continues to preserve reliable, affordable service for all members.

 

Trustee Hatfield is proud of her accomplishment in earning the Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate through the NRECA. Ms. Hatfield stated, “I am proud to have completed the first part of the NRECA’s Director Education Program by completing my Credentialed Cooperative Director certification. It’s an honor to serve as the District 9 representative on SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees, and I look forward to continuing my Board education through the NRECA.”

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “Congratulations, Trustee Hatfield, on earning your Credentialed Cooperative Director Certification as a major part completing the NRECA’s Director Education Program. I am thankful for your Board service and willingness to serve as your District’s representative on the SECO Energy Board of Trustees.”

 

To view a brief bio of SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees and a District boundaries map, visit our Board of Trustees page. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

 

SECO Energy Back-To-School Program Funds $3,000 for Sumter County Schools Enhancement Foundation

SECO Energy’s back-to-school program allocated Sumter County Schools Enhancement Foundation $3,000 for the county’s use in educational initiatives. As a not-for-profit local electric cooperative, SECO believes in supporting the communities it serves.

 

The Sumter Schools Enhancement Foundation is a non-profit organization that enhances educational opportunities for students by providing incentives for achievement, helping students in need, and awarding scholarships to seniors to promote lasting success through higher education.

 

Executive Director, Sumter Schools Enhancement Foundation Eileen Goodson said, “The Foundation is thankful to receive this generous donation from our SECO community partner. From post-it notes to a pair of shoes that really fit a child, schools always have needs beyond their budgets. The SECO donation will be used to meet the needs for our homeless and most needy students, and to help students at each school get settled into a strong school year with proper supplies and materials.”

 

SECO Energy Sr. Consultant for Civic, Charitable and Government Relations Kathy Judkins states, “SECO is proud to partner with local school districts to fund projects related to STEM. We know our future workforce may be among Sumter County students, and we want to ensure they know that SECO is community focused and that potential employment opportunities await them after high school, technical school or college.”

 

Learn more about SECO Energy and its efforts to support education and local communities at SECOEnergy.com>Your Co-op>Community. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

SECO Energy Back-To-School Program Funds $3,000 for Marion County Education Foundation

August 19, 2021 – SECO Energy’s back-to-school program allocated Marion County Public Schools with $3,000 for the Public Education Foundation of Marion County. The funds will support teacher requests for support of STEM-related projects in the classroom. As a not-for-profit local electric cooperative, SECO believes in supporting the communities it serves.

 

The Public Education Foundation of Marion County’s mission is to financially and materially support Marion County Public Schools, its students and teachers. Meghan Magamoll, Executive Director stated, “We are grateful for SECO Energy’s commitment to supporting educational STEM projects in Marion County.  Through the Public Education Foundation’s Grants for Great Ideas program, SECO Energy’s generous donation will be matched dollar for dollar to double the impact in our schools.”

 

SECO Energy Sr. Consultant for Civic, Charitable and Government Relations Kathy Judkins states, “SECO is proud to partner with local school districts to fund projects related to STEM.  We know our future workforce may likely be among Marion County students, and we want to ensure they know that SECO is community focused and that potential employment opportunities await them after high school, technical school or college.”

 

Learn more about SECO Energy and its efforts to support education and local communities at SECOEnergy.com > Your Co-op > Community. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECO Energy Back-To-School Program Funds $1,000 for Citrus County Education Foundation

SECO Energy’s back-to-school program allocated Citrus County public schools with $1,000 for the county’s Education Foundation to support the Supplies 4 Success teacher store. As a not-for-profit local electric cooperative, SECO believes in supporting the communities it serves.

 

The mission of the Citrus County Education Foundation is to provide resources to support the Citrus County School District to enhance the quality of education for present and future generations. The Foundation encourages business and community involvement, promotes creative and innovative educational programs and recognizes outstanding achievements of students and staff. Over 16,000 or 93 percent of Citrus County K-12 students benefit from the Foundation’s efforts.

 

The Education Foundation’s Executive Director Shaunda Burdette is thankful for SECO Energy’s community involvement. Burdette stated, “It is because of the generosity and support of incredible partners such as SECO Energy that we are able to impact more than 16,000 students and more than 2,000 teachers and staff each year. Your support is changing the lives of students in Citrus County. Thank you for being a CHAMPION for our children!’”

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “SECO Energy is honored to support Citrus County students through its back-to-school program’s contribution to the Citrus County Education Foundation. As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO believes an investment in education is a benefit to all our members. In Citrus County, we serve over 15,000 homes and businesses. Teachers are an invaluable community asset, they enrich our communities by educating our future leaders and as a benefit to SECO, possibly our future employees.”

 

Learn more about SECO Energy and its efforts to support education and local communities at SECOEnergy.com > Your Co-op > Community. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

 

SECO Energy Back-To-School Program Funds $3,500 for Lake County Education Foundation

August 17, 2021 – SECO Energy’s back-to-school program allocated Lake County public schools with $3,500 for the county’s Education Foundation to support the Lake County Schools robotics program. As a not-for-profit local electric cooperative, SECO believes in supporting the communities it serves.

 

Established in 1987, the Education Foundation of Lake County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and designated direct support organization for Lake County Schools. The Foundation’s mission is to serve as the connection between the community and public education, evaluating needs and securing resources to enhance the quality of education. The Education Foundation of Lake County operates for the benefit of students and teachers in Lake County Public Schools.

 

SECO Energy provided $3,500 in funding to be used toward the Lake County Schools Robotics Scrimmage, scheduled for Saturday, October 2, at Tavares Middle School. “The Lake County Schools robotics program engages students in compelling, real-world challenges that help them become better collaborators and problem solvers,” said Carman Cullen-Batt, Executive Director of the Education Foundation of Lake County. “Thanks to SECO Energy’s generosity, the robotics students will learn in-demand knowledge and skills that they can use in high school and the rest of their life.”

 

SECO Energy Sr. Consultant for Civic, Charitable and Government Relations Kathy Judkins states, “SECO is proud to partner with local school districts to fund projects related to STEM. We know our future workforce may likely be among the robotics program students, and we want to ensure they know that SECO is community focused and that potential employment opportunities await them after high school, technical school or college.”

 

Learn more about SECO Energy and its efforts to support education and local communities at SECOEnergy.com>Your Co-op>Community. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

 

 

SECO Energy Tracking Tropical Depression Fred

SECO Energy is tracking Tropical Depression Fred as it moves closer to the Florida Peninsula. Currently a tropical depression, forecasters predict that Fred will pick up speed and intensity to become a tropical storm before making landfall.

 

Tropical Depression Fred is moving west-northwest at 10 mph with sustained winds of 35 mph. The National Hurricane Center warns Floridians along the west coast to prepare for heavy rain and possible flooding beginning on Sunday. Current models show a possible landfall in Big Bend area in the Panhandle early Monday morning as a tropical storm.

 

SECO members will feel the effects from Tropical Storm Fred on Sunday. Fred’s outer rainbands will affect SECO’s service area for over 24 hours from early Sunday morning through Monday morning. Wind gusts off Florida’s west coast could be as high as 50 mph. The western portion of SECO’s service area especially Citrus County will feel the worst impact with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph. Expect severe weather and possible tornadoes. SECO’s service territory has experienced above-average rainfall the last two months which means more rain could bring trees crashing down and create extended power outages.

 

CEO Jim Duncan encourages members to monitor Tropical Depression Fred stating, “Tropical Depression Fred has the potential to bring heavy rain and winds to our area. Fred will most likely develop into a tropical storm. SECO Energy is prepared for Tropical Depression Fred and the weather effects this system will bring into our area. Now is the time to prepare your home and families and gather your emergency supplies. Don’t wait until the last minute to prepare.”

 

Duncan also reminded members that SECO Energy’s StormCenter outage reporting and communications platform offers outage alerts. “StormCenter is available for members to report outages using their smartphones or tablets 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Members should also enroll in outage notifications and alerts via email, text, voice message, or all three. An alert is sent when the system recognizes that your service has been interrupted. The alert will include crew status and an estimated restoration time. You’ll also receive a notification when the service is restored that includes the cause of the outage if it is known at that time.”

 

Members should visit StormCenter and bookmark the site on their smartphones or tablets. At StormCenter, members can view the outage map, manage notifications, check the status of an existing outage, report an area light outage and more.

 

Stay up to date on weather affecting SECO Energy’s service area, the latest news releases and cooperative updates by “liking” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter.

SECO Energy’s Pennies Program Donates $12,305 to Local Animal Shelters – Marion County

SECO Energy’s Pennies from Heaven program has donated $12,305 to local animal shelters and rescues. In February, the not-for-profit electric cooperative announced that for every new Surge MitiGator meter-based surge protection lease enrollment or purchase, members could choose a shelter or rescue to receive a $5 donation on their behalf.
 

Between February 1 to June 15, 2,461 members enrolled in SECO’s Surge MitiGator surge protection product that resulted in a total donation of $12,305 in Citrus, Lake, Marion and Sumter Counties. The total allocated in Marion County is $4,100 donated to the shelters listed below:

 

Endangered Animal Rescue Sanctuary – $200
Forest Animal Rescue – $200
Front Range Equine Rescue – $200
Fur Kids Pet Rescue Inc. – $200
Humane Society of Marion County – $1,000
Kindred Spirits Sanctuary – $200
Marion County Animal Services – $500
Ocala Wildlife Sanctuary Inc. (Owls Ocala Inc.) – $200
Pets in Distress Inc. – $200
Quality of Life Rehab and Foster – $200
Sheltering Hands – $200
SPCA of Marion County – $200
SPCA of Ocala – $200
Vocal (Voices of Change Animal League) – $200
Forest Animal Rescue – $200
Beauty’s Haven Farm and Equine Rescue Inc. (Levy County) – $200

 

Eddie Leedy, the Executive Director of the Humane Society of Marion County stated, “The Humane Society of Marion County values and cherishes our donors and business partners. Their support allows us to help thousands of animals each year. SECO Energy’s generous donation is so appreciated in these difficult times for non-profits.”

 

CEO Jim Duncan is pleased to help local shelters and rescues. Duncan stated, “Thank you, members, for making our Surgeo Loves Pets charitable initiative a success. I am grateful for members who recognize a need in their community and respond generously. Though the vast majority of Pennies funding is allocated for bill payment assistance and educational initiatives for our members, the animals in our local communities need assistance as well, and SECO is happy that the Pennies from Heaven donations will be put to good use.”

 

SECO Energy’s Surge MitiGator product helps to reduce damaging surges and voltage spikes at the meter. Visit our Surge MitiGator page to learn more about the product, to read its beastly 15-year warranty and to complete the web form to enroll.

 

“Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.