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Category: Press Releases

SECO Energy Offers Payment Arrangements and Waives Late Fees

SECO Energy understands that members may have difficulty in the coming weeks with potential unexpected Coronavirus impacts of illness, quarantine, lack of regular income or caring for an affected family member. SECO’s not-for-profit electric cooperative is applying flexibility to these scenarios.

 

SECO will proactively waive late fees and allow additional payment time during the declared emergency. Members can call the automated IVR to request a payment arrangement, log into SmartHub to conveniently request a payment arrangement or visit with one of SECO’s Member Service Representatives to discuss extenuating circumstances on a case-by-case basis.

 

It’s also important to know that every quarter SECO Energy funds local United Way chapters managed through Florida 211 for bill payment assistance in the counties SECO serves. The reliability of SECO’s electric service also plays a role in SECO families’ wellbeing, and the cooperative is taking precautions to keep its employees healthy and ready to serve members.

 

SECO’s upcoming 2020 Annual Meeting’s format is now VIRTUAL ONLY. SECO typically hosts a crowd of 6,000 to 8,000 attendees at the Annual Meeting. Based on Florida’s declared public health emergency in response to Coronavirus developments, CDC advisories and SECO’s corresponding need to activate our Emergency Response Plan, the Board of Trustees and senior leadership have determined the need to hold a Virtual ONLY Annual Meeting instead of hosting the large crowd of thousands who typically attend the Annual Meeting.

 

On Saturday, March 28, attend the Virtual Annual Meeting by visiting SECOEnergy.com and clicking on the Virtual Annual Meeting link which begins at 10:30 a.m. Board President Jerry Hatfield and CEO Jim Duncan will deliver their respective addresses via the Virtual Annual Meeting streamed live. Results of member votes on the Bylaws Revision and the 2019 Annual Meeting Minutes will be announced and the 89 prize winners from the names drawn from all members who cast votes.

 

Since SECO won’t be holding an in-person prize drawing, all members who vote on Annual Meeting business are entered to win all prizes. To vote, visit SECO Energy’s homepage and click on the VOTE homepage banner to cast your vote on the Bylaws Revision and 2019 Annual Meeting Minutes. A complete list of prizes is available on the website. Win from the comfort of your own home.

 

Prizes include a 2010 Chevy Colorado 4×4, two 2016 EZGO RSV golf carts, cash prizes ($1,500, $1,000 and two $500s), electric bill credits, WiFi thermostats, Instapots, air fryers, tool sets, Ring doorbells, Amazon Fire and Apple TVs, Fire HD tablets with Alexa, Fitbits, a 43-inch Visio TV, twenty $100/$50 VISA gift cards and more. View the full prize list at SECOEnergy.com.

 

Learn more at SECOEnergy.com>Your Co-op>Annual Member Meeting. “Like” SECO’s page on Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

SECO Energy 2020 Annual Meeting Goes VIRTUAL ONLY for Public Health and Safety

SECO Energy announced that its 82nd Annual Meeting is going virtual only in the interest of public health and safety. The SECO Energy Annual Meeting is the cooperative’s pinnacle event. Based on Florida’s declared public health emergency in response to coronavirus developments, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advisories and SECO’s corresponding need to activate its Emergency Response Plan, the Board of Trustees and senior leadership have determined the need to hold a virtual ONLY Annual Meeting instead of hosting the large crowd who typically attends.

 

The Virtual Annual Meeting will be live streamed online on Saturday, March 28, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Members can tune in by visiting the website and clicking on the Virtual Annual Meeting homepage banner. Board President Jerry Hatfield and CEO Jim Duncan will deliver their respective addresses via the Virtual Annual Meeting streamed live. The results of member votes on the Bylaws Revision and 2019 Annual Meeting Minutes will be announced by Cooperative Attorney Scott Gerken. Vice President Kathryn Gloria will announce the prize winners from the names drawn from the list of members who cast votes.

 

To encourage members to vote on the Bylaws Revision and 2019 Annual Meeting Minutes, SECO Energy is shifting its traditional in-person door prize drawing to a voting member drawing. All members who cast a vote are eligible to win a prize from the comfort of their home. A complete list of prizes is available on SECO’s website.

 

Members can vote electronically by visiting the website and clicking on the Vote homepage banner or by texting VOTE to (352) 320-2200. Members also have the option to complete the by-mail ballot on the Official Annual Meeting Notice and mail with their electric payment. Members who are not tech-savvy can visit a Member Service Center or call (352) 793-3801 for voting assistance. To be eligible for the prize drawing, members must cast their vote before the Virtual Annual Meeting begins at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 28.

 

Prizes include a 2010 Chevy Colorado 4×4, two 2016 EZGO RSV golf carts, cash prizes ($1,500, $1,000 and two $500s), electric bill credits, WiFi thermostats, Instapots, air fryers, tool sets, Ring doorbells, Amazon Fire and Apple TVs, Fire HD tablets with Alexa, Fitbits, a 43-inch Visio TV, twenty $100/$50 VISA gift cards and more. View the full prize list online.

 

Prize winners will be announced at the end of the Virtual Annual Meeting and also published on the website. Prizes will be shipped to each winner. SECO will arrange delivery of the truck and golf carts along with the title/registration documents. Winners of the $1,500 and $1,000 prizes will receive an IRS Form 1099 and will be required to sign an IRS Form W-9 before the checks can be issued.

 

SECO Energy CEO Jim Duncan states, “The on-site Annual Meeting is an event that we look forward to hosting every year. We will certainly miss visiting with members and seeing their smiling faces for this year’s Annual Meeting, but the decision to change the format to a Virtual Annual Meeting is in the best interest of our members and employees. I hope members plan to watch the Virtual Annual Meeting on Saturday, March 28 at 10:30 a.m.”

 

Members who want to interact with SECO live during the Virtual Annual Meeting can call (352) 329-MEET or email SECO2020AM@secoenergy.com starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 28. The phone number and email will only be available during the Virtual Annual Meeting timeframe. For members who aren’t able to watch virtually, a video production of the Virtual Annual Meeting will be available on SECO Energy’s YouTube channel the following week.

 

Learn more about SECO Energy’s Virtual Annual Meeting on our website. “Like” SECO’s page on Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

SECO Energy Supports Sumter PREP Academy Intervention Program

SECO Energy is a supporter of educational programs and initiatives. SECO recently provided funding to assist Sumter PREP Academy with its Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support (PBIS) bi-monthly progress monitoring breakfast meeting.

 

The breakfast meeting offers an opportunity for student advocates (district staff, Department of Juvenile Justice, Teen Court, zone-school administrators, parents and students) to discuss the academic and behavioral progress of the Academy’s students.

 

Sumter PREP Academy operates under the umbrella of Sumter County Schools. As a result of the positive behavioral intervention program, Sumter PREP Academy has reported a 93 percent success rate of students transitioning back to their zoned schools.

 

SECO Energy is an active corporate citizen and a good neighbor. The cooperative sponsors and donates to programs based on its commitment to the key cooperative principles Concern for Community and Education Training and Information. $36,000 in scholarships is available for 12 recipients in the SECO Energy 2020 Youth Scholarship Program. Graduating high school seniors interested in a career in the energy industry who live in a home served by SECO are encouraged to apply. Print an application online on our 2020 Youth Scholarship page. Completed applications due by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 27.

Learn more about SECO’s corporate citizenship online. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

SECO Energy Awarded 5-Star Status in ‘Co-ops Vote’ National Program

SECO Energy announced today it has been named a “5-Star Co-op” by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). NRECA is the national organization that represents the nation’s 900+ not-for-profit, consumer-owned electric cooperatives. With 42 million members in 48 states, electric co-ops can stand together as a powerful voice in this year’s elections.

 

The 5-star designation recognizes SECO Energy’s high level of participation in Co-ops Vote, a national get-out-the-vote campaign. The non-partisan campaign seeks to engage voters and boost turnout in areas served by electric co-ops. The 5-star status marks the highest level of engagement in Co-ops Vote and is achieved when a participating co-op completes five or more program activities.

 

SECO Energy CEO Jim Duncan stated, “Voting is an important right that too many citizens across the nation don’t embrace but SECO is fortunate to have a higher-than-average level of participation in the Central Florida counties we serve. Elections are important and SECO uses the Co-ops Vote program to increase awareness of civic duty on Election Day and every day. We’re honored to be recognized by NRECA for being a Co-ops Vote award winner.”

 

SECO Energy encourages member participation in the democratic process on a local, state and federal level. The cooperative’s members can find out more about legislation affecting the energy industry, how to register and where to cast their vote by visiting our Legislative Corner.

 

The Co-ops Vote program makes a difference in the communities SECO serves by giving a voice to SECO Energy members related to issues affecting affordable, reliable electric service. Learn more about Co-ops Vote and subscribe to updates at Vote.coop.The seven cooperative principles include the premise of participation in the political process. As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO supports these principles and encourages its members to engage in the political process and make their voices heard at the local, state and national level.

 

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

SECO Energy District 4 Members Re-elect Trustee Richard Dennison

SECO Energy members residing in District 4 re-elected incumbent Trustee Richard Dennison. A large crowd of District 4 members gathered at the Marion Oaks Community Center on February 20 to elect a Trustee to represent their District on SECO’s Board of Trustees. Mr. Dennison currently holds an officer position on the Board as Vice President.

 

SECO Energy is a not-for-profit electric cooperative, operated for and owned by its members. SECO members who reside in the District elect one of their fellow members to serve on SECO’s nine-member Board of Trustees. SECO Energy CEO Jim Duncan stated, “Collectively, the Board represents the SECO membership, meeting monthly to monitor the financial status of the cooperative while providing fiduciary oversight and participating in policy decisions that serve the best interests of the members at large.”

 

Mr. Dennison declared his willingness to serve the members of District 4 by submitting his letter of intent to run for Trustee. Elected Trustees serve a three-year term. A SECO member since 1999, Trustee Dennison lives in Ocala and was first elected to the Board in 2015. Mr. Dennison ran unopposed and even though Mr. Dennison was the only candidate, the Bylaws require that SECO hold a District Meeting. Subsequently, Florida Statute requires SECO to hold in-person elections.

 

Trustee Dennison stated, “I began my campaign months ago and am grateful for the members in District 4 who came out today and voted to re-elect me as the District 4 Trustee. It is truly an honor that my fellow members have continued to place their faith in me. I want you to know it is a pleasure to work in this role at SECO because we all get along for the good of the cooperative. The Board members, the senior management and the employees of this well-run company make this work fulfilling.”

 

President Jerry Hatfield stated, “Congratulations, Mr. Dennison on your re-election as District 4 Trustee. On behalf of my fellow Board officers and peers, we look forward to continue working with you.”

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “I would like to thank the members of District 4 for engaging with SECO in the democratic process to elect a Trustee to represent your District. Congratulations Mr. Dennison on re-election as District 4 Trustee. I appreciate your community-minded enthusiasm and your dedication to your fellow members.”

 

Visit our Board of Trustees page to view a photo and brief bio of SECO’s Trustees along with a District Map. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

SECO Energy Trustees Maintain Director Gold Credentials

SECO Energy congratulates five members of its Board of Trustees who have completed the necessary coursework to maintain their Director Gold Credentials from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). The five Trustees are: Board President and District 9 Trustee Jerry Hatfield; Board Secretary/Treasurer and District 8 Trustee William James; District 2 Trustee Dillard Boyatt; District 5 Trustee Ray Vick; and District 6 Trustee Earl Muffett.

 

To earn Director Gold, Trustees must first complete the Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD) and the Board Leadership Certificate (BLC). The Director Gold Credential Program (DGC) offers Trustees and Directors the opportunity to enhance their education to better support their cooperatives. Trustees Hatfield, James, Boyatt, Vick and Muffett earned their Director Gold Credentials and continued to attend courses through the NRECA to maintain their Director Gold status.

 

SECO Energy’s service area is geographically divided into nine Districts. Members in each District elect one member from the District to represent the District on SECO’s Board of Trustees and the membership at large. Trustees are elected to oversee the governance of the cooperative.

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “Congratulations, gentlemen, on continuing your Trustee education through the NRECA. Our Board of Trustees is an active, engaged group who has assisted SECO during times of high member satisfaction and improved reliability. Thank you, gentlemen, for your commitment to SECO members and your communities through your Board service.”

 

Visit our Board of Trustees page to view a short bio of SECO Energy’s Trustees and a District Map. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

SECO Energy District 2 Members Elect Joyce Anderson as New Trustee

SECO Energy members residing in District 2 elected Joyce Anderson as their new Trustee. District 2 members gathered at the Sumter County School Board building on February 11 to elect a Trustee to represent their District on SECO’s Board of Trustees. Ms. Anderson lives in Sumterville and is the first woman to be elected to the SECO Energy Board of Trustees.

 

SECO Energy is a not-for-profit electric cooperative, operated for and owned by its members. SECO members who reside in the District elect one of their fellow members to serve on SECO’s nine-member Board of Trustees. SECO Energy CEO Jim Duncan stated, “Collectively, the Board represents the SECO membership, meeting monthly to monitor the financial status of the cooperative while providing fiduciary oversight and participating in policy decisions that serve the best interests of the members at large.”

 

Along with Ms. Joyce C. Anderson of Sumterville; from The Villages Mr. John F. Baileys; Mr. Joe W. Elliott; Mr. Peter N. Hill; Mr. Neil R. Hoffman; Mr. Lee R. Linn; and Mr. Dale J. Williams declared their willingness to serve the members of District 2 by submitting their letter of intent to run for Trustee. Elected Trustees serve a three-year term. Trustee-elect Anderson will attend her first official Board of Trustees’ meeting on Monday, March 30.

 

Trustee-elect Anderson stated, “I am excited and honored to serve as a SECO Energy Trustee, and proud to be the first woman elected to the Board. I greatly appreciate the support of my fellow District 2 members. SECO members and continued member satisfaction will be my highest priority.”

 

President Jerry Hatfield stated, “Congratulations, Ms. Anderson on your election as District 2 Trustee. On behalf of my fellow Board officers and peers, we welcome you and look forward to working with you.”

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “Congratulations Ms. Anderson on your election as District 2 Trustee. Thank you to the members in District 2 who assembled to democratically elect your new Trustee to represent your District on the Board. In District 2, a total of seven candidates expressed a willingness to serve their fellow members and the membership at large.”

 

Duncan continued, “Thank you Mr. Baileys, Mr. Elliott, Mr. Hill, Mr. Hoffman, Mr. Linn and Mr. Williams for your interest. It is truly amazing to have seven candidates eager to be of service to their cooperative and our members.”

 

Visit our Board of Trustees page to view a photo and brief bio of SECO’s Trustees along with a District Map. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

SECO Energy Honored as a Tree Line USA Utility

SECO Energy has once again been honored as a Tree Line USA Utility by the Arbor Day Foundation. Tree Line USA recognizes best practices in utility arboriculture. This is the eleventh year that SECO has received this honor.

 

The Arbor Day Foundation was founded in 1972 and its mission is to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. The Foundation recognizes that communities depend on safe, reliable electricity to power homes and businesses, while protecting and enhancing community treescapes.

 

Tree Line USA recognition is awarded to utilities that follow the Arbor Day Foundation’s five core standards of Quality Tree Care; Annual Worker Training; Tree Planting and Public Education; Tree-based Energy Conservation Program; and participating in an Arbor Day Celebration.

 

“Trees are a critical part of urban landscapes all across the United States,” said Dan Lambe, president of the Arbor Day Foundation. “They provide important benefits to residents, including clean air, clean water and a tolerable climate. Service providers like SECO Energy demonstrate that it’s possible for trees and utilities to co-exist for the benefit of communities and citizens.”

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “The SECO Energy team is extremely proud to once again be recognized as a Tree Line USA Utility by the Arbor Day Foundation. Central Florida is a natural paradise, we understand our members love their trees and landscaping and expect their cooperative to maintain reliable service. The Arbor Day’s five core standards enable SECO to find the proper balance between member reliability and encouraging a healthy tree canopy.”

 

SECO Energy Vice President of Operations John LaSelva stated, “Maintaining SECO’s Tree Line USA Utility status is a priority for our Vegetation Management team. The National Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree Line USA Utility status benefits our service area by strengthening our urban forest and reducing tree-related outages. On behalf of the SECO’s executive leadership and the Vegetation Management team, we are honored to receive the 2020 Tree Line USA designation.”

 

Visit our Right Tree, Right Place page to learn how strategically planted trees can help reduce energy usage. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

SECO Energy District 6 Members Elect Michael E. Muffett as New Trustee

SECO Energy members voted to elect Mr. Michael E. Muffett as their new District 6 Trustee. District 6 members gathered at the Village View Community Church on February 4 to elect a Trustee to represent their District on SECO’s Board. Mr. Muffett lives in Summerfield and has been a SECO member for over 35 years.

 

SECO Energy is a not-for-profit electric cooperative, operated for and owned by its members. SECO members who reside in the District elect one of their fellow members to serve on SECO’s nine-member Board of Trustees. SECO Energy CEO Jim Duncan stated, “Collectively, the Board represents the SECO membership, meeting monthly to monitor the financial status of the cooperative while providing fiduciary oversight and participating in policy decisions that serve the best interests of the members at large.”

 

Along with Mr. Michael E. Muffett, Mr. Tom Ford and Mr. Mark L. Wade from Summerfield declared their willingness to serve the members of District 6 by submitting their letter of intent to run for Trustee. Elected Trustees serve a three-year term. Trustee-elect Muffett will attend his first official Board of Trustees’ meeting on Monday, March 30.

 

Trustee-elect Mr. Muffett is looking forward to his Board service. Mr. Muffett stated, “First, I want to thank the members for attending last night’s District 6 Meeting and thank you to my fellow candidates who were prepared to serve our fellow District 6 members of SECO’s Board. I am excited to begin my Board service and eager to use this opportunity to expand my service to our local communities.”

 

President Jerry Hatfield stated, “Congratulations, Mr. Muffett, on your election as District 6 Trustee. On behalf of my fellow Board officers and peers, we welcome you and look forward to working with you.”

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “Thank you District 6 members for gathering this evening to elect your new Trustee. Congratulations, Trustee-elect Muffett, on your election as District 6 Trustee. I would also like to thank Mr. Ford and Mr. Wade for their interest to serve as District 6 Trustee and the membership at large.”

 

View a photo and brief bio of SECO’s Trustees along with a District Map online. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

SECO Energy CEO Jim Duncan Named Sumter Chamber Business Man of the Year

SECO Energy CEO Jim Duncan was named the Business Man of the Year by the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce at its Around the World Annual Dinner and Awards Gala on Friday, January 17. The Awards Gala was held at The Villages’ Savannah Center to celebrate outstanding businesses and individuals in Sumter County.

 

According to its website, the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce is the only chamber of commerce serving Sumter County businesses for over 91 years. The Chamber has grown along with the county, but its commitment to Sumter County businesses is unchanged. The Sumter County Chamber’s mission is to educate, support and promote businesses in Sumter County.

 

SECO Energy is a Diamond-level Chamber sponsor and a long-time Sumter County Chamber of Commerce member. The not-for-profit electric cooperative was established as Sumter Electric Cooperative, Inc. in 1938 with its headquarters in Sumter County. Now doing business as SECO Energy, the cooperative continues to support the Chamber’s efforts in fostering a healthy business climate in Sumter County.

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “Thank you to the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce for recognizing me as Business Man of the Year. This is truly an honor and I am humbled by the recognition. SECO Energy’s employees and their dedication to our members and the communities we serve are the backbone of our success. SECO’s roots are firmly planted in Sumter County, and we are proud of our partnership with the Chamber. With the Chamber’s support, commerce is flourishing in our area.”

 

Duncan continued, “SECO is privileged to be a part of Sumter County’s community, its history and growth and its future. Congratulations to all of my fellow awardees recognized by the chamber who work diligently to ensure the County’s success.”

 

The 2019 awardees recognized by the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce include Primus Pipe & Tube – Outstanding Large Business of the Year; Beth Hunt, Community Outreach Coordinator – Chamber Volunteer of the Year; Mary Beth Locke, Back Road Berries – Business Woman of the Year; Allstate Insurance, The McDonald Agency – Outstanding Small Business; and the Wildwood Rotary – Outstanding Non-profit of the Year.

 

SECO Energy Key Accounts Consultant Jeff Light led the invocation and held a moment of silence for the loss of Chamber member and community business leader Mike Scott. Light was also sworn in as a Sumter County Chamber of Commerce Board Member by the Honorable Judge Militello.

 

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