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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.

SECO Energy Kicks Off 2020 Scholarship Program

SECO Energy is kicking off its 2020 SECO Scholarship Program. For over two decades, SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees has renewed its commitment to members and the communities the cooperative serves by approving the Scholarship Program for local students. A total of $36,000 is available for 12 recipients to receive $3,000 each.

 

SECO Energy is adjusting the eligibility requirements for the 2020 Scholarship Program to better align with its corporate goals. SECO believes its annual scholarships are a way to spark an interest in energy industry careers and should be used as a recruitment tool.

 

To be eligible to apply, the student must be interested in pursuing a career in the energy sector. The student must live in a home served by SECO and be a high school senior who is graduating this school year (May/June). Awardees must be enrolled full-time in an accredited college, university or vocational/technical school located in Florida by the end of 2020. Students should also be pursuing a degree in technology, engineering, math or business. The student may also pursue a certification directly related to jobs in the electric industry.

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “The goal for our 2020 Scholarship Program is to attract local students who want to come to SECO for internship opportunities during breaks and begin their careers with us after graduation. Our Scholarship Program embraces two of the seven cooperative principles observed by SECO: Concern for Community and Education, Training and Information. I wish our applicants the best and look forward to meeting our scholarship winners at the awards banquet in May.”

 

Scholarship applications are available online. For those without internet access, applications are also available at SECO’s Member Services Centers. The application must be completed in full and received in our corporate offices on or before 5 p.m. on Friday, March 27, 2020. Email Communications for questions about the scholarship eligibility requirements or application.

 

View a slideshow of past scholarship awardees, print an application and read more about eligibility requirements on our Scholarship page. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

SECO Energy Scores 90 in Satisfaction

SECO Energy members have rated the not-for-profit electric cooperative as a customer satisfaction leader. SECO received an American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) score of 90 for 2019. SECO’s 90 is a one-point increase from its 2018 score.

 

The American Customer Satisfaction Index provides a one-of-a-kind, cross-industry measurement of customer satisfaction in the United States. Each year, the ACSI uses data from interviews with roughly 300,000 customers as inputs to an econometric model for analyzing customer satisfaction with more than 400 companies in 46 industries and 10 economic sectors. ACSI data has proven to be strongly related to several essential indicators of micro and macroeconomic performance.

 

At the end of 2019, NRECA Market Research Services conducted the membership survey on SECO Energy’s behalf that included the ACSI metrics at year end and contacted members by email to ask about their unique experience with the cooperative. Members rated SECO with an impressive ACSI score of 90.

 

SECO Energy’s ACSI score is tops when compared to average ACSI scores in the energy industry. Nationally, cooperative utilities averaged 75 in 2019, which is 2 points lower than the 2018 cooperative average. Investor-owned utilities and municipal utilities scores averaged 73, both of which are 2 points lower than the 2018 average.

 

In the 2019 membership survey, members scored SECO well in all 18 service attributes with 16 rated as “excellent.” The highest rated were employees, bills and payment options, minimizing outages and community support. A service attribute that increased significantly is “Keeping members informed on the status of outages.” The increase in this particular attribute can be attributed to SECO’s online outage and communications platform StormCenter that communicates outage alerts with enrolled members via email, text or voice notifications.

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “SECO Energy excels in customer satisfaction. When comparing our 2019 ACSI score of 90 to our industry peers and Fortune 500 companies, SECO is clearly a satisfaction frontrunner. One of the reasons members have rated SECO so well over the years is our world-class employees. We are customer service champions because of our employees’ dedication to member satisfaction and their commitment to local communities.”

 

Duncan added, “Thank you, members, for taking the time to respond and recognizing our employees’ efforts on your behalf. We are grateful for your approval and continued support.”

 

In recent years, SECO Energy has received national attention and three J.D. Power trophies for its exceptional customer satisfaction rankings. In the 2015 J.D. Power study, SECO Energy was ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Midsize Utilities in the South.” And in 2016 and 2017, SECO was ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Cooperatives.”

 

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

SECO Energy Employee Donations Make a Difference at Christmas

SECO Energy’s generous employees are Making a Difference at Christmas by donating hundreds of toys for its annual Marine Toys for Tots donation drive. Members also joined in the gift-giving by adding toys to the donation boxes at SECO’s five Member Service Center locations.

 

SECO employees’ and members’ donations provide toys and smiles for local children on Christmas day. The toys donated through Toys for Tots remain in the community where they are donated. For many local children, a toy donated through the generosity of SECO employees and members will be the only present received for Christmas.

 

Among the hundreds of toys were 75 bicycles and tricycles donated by SECO employees. SECO’s Pennies from Heaven program chipped in this year to purchase bicycles and tricycles to match the number donated by SECO employees. In all, over 140 local children will receive a new bicycle or tricycle courtesy of SECO employees and members who participate in Pennies from Heaven.

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “SECO employees are a charitable group and they especially enjoy contributions that benefit the communities we serve. As a fellow marine, I’m proud of the Marine Toys for Tots organization whose volunteers work tirelessly to bring joy to children at Christmas. I am grateful to our generous employees and members who are willing to share their Christmas spirit with others.”

 

Senior Consultant for Civic, Charitable and Government Affairs Kathy Judkins manages the Toys for Tots donation drive companywide. Judkins stated, “I am so thankful for the hundreds of employees and many SECO members who chose to join SECO in supporting Toys for Tots this year. Making a Difference at Christmas brings happiness to children across our service area.”

 

Members who want to partner with SECO Energy to improve quality of life in local communities served by SECO can enroll in the Pennies from Heaven program that rounds up monthly bills to the nearest dollar. The small change donated through Pennies from Heaven supports financial assistance to local worthy causes in SECO’s service area. Requests for Angel Fund bill payment assistance are administered through several local agencies by calling 211 or visiting 211 online.

 

Watch a slide show of donated toys from SECO’s Toys for Tots toy drive photos on SECO’s YouTube channel. Learn more about SECO Energy’s community involvement online. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

SECO Energy Embarks on Solar and Battery Energy Storage Pilot Project

SECO Energy’s Engineering department recently embarked on a solar and battery energy storage pilot project. The cooperative contracted local solar array vendor Solar Trek to construct a 6,000-watt solar array and battery storage system at the Sumterville substation at its headquarters location. The project was designed and constructed over a nine-month period this year.

 

The new 6,000-watt solar array is ground mounted near Highway 470 to offset the utility-supplied power needed to serve the load in the switchgear enclosure. The energy storage batteries are housed in a cabinet outside of the substation switchgear. On average, the solar panels will produce 25 kilowatt hours (kWh) per day or about 750 kWh per month. Each panel is connected to a micro inverter that maximizes efficiency by converting DC to AC power at the panel. The battery storage is configured for charge by the solar system. This stored energy is released onto SECO’s electric system twice per day, in the morning before 9 a.m. and in the evening before 6 p.m.

 

Solar systems produce energy from the sun in the form of direct current (DC). To convert DC power to alternating current (AC) that is usable in homes and businesses, inverters are installed on each solar panel. The pilot project offers a variety of data for SECO’s Engineering staff to collect and study. SECO will measure the amount of AC power produced by the panels and the amount of energy the battery inverters will use to convert AC to DC then back to AC voltage. Also, SECO will assess the amount of energy required to charge the batteries and how much energy the battery inverter uses to convert DC to AC voltage. In its first month of operation, the system has produced 700 kWh of energy and approximately 300 kWh has flowed back into the grid.

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “The goal of the pilot project is to learn more about solar arrays and battery storage systems. This knowledge will better prepare SECO employees who assist members interested in solar investments at their homes or businesses. Ultimately, we will monitor the data collected to compare the costs and benefits of energy storage and determine if the efficiency of the project will lead to SECO investing in future large-scale solar enterprises.”

 

SECO Energy is an advocate for members who decide to invest in a member-owned solar array and want to interconnect with SECO’s electric facilities. The not-for-profit cooperative has devoted a section of its website to helping members understand their solar investment prior to committing to a project. Visit our Solar Power page for an overview of solar panels, inverters and net metering. Members can also use the Solar Estimator to determine the potential reduction in utility-supplied power they may expect after installing a solar system.

 

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

SECO Energy Trustee Joseph Kusiak Earns NRECA Board Certificates

SECO Energy District 7 Trustee Joseph Kusiak has completed two cooperative-focused board certifications from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). Mr. Kusiak completed the courses required to earn both the Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD) and the Board Leadership Certificate (BLC).

 

The NRECA’s CCD is the first certificate in a three-part education program for Board of Trustee members of Directors of an electric cooperative. The courses encompassed in the CCD curriculum prepare Trustees to fulfill their fiduciary duty as elected officials who serve on behalf of the cooperative’s members.

 

Trustee Kusiak also earned the BLC, the second part of NRECA’s Board of Trustees Director curriculum. The BLC courses focus on specific industry and governance issues that directly affect electric cooperatives today. Lessons focus on risk management, power supply, parliamentary procedure, technology and policy development.

 

Mr. Kusiak resides in Dunnellon and has been a SECO member since 2002. He was elected to serve as District 7 Trustee in a special election to fill a Board vacancy on October 25, 2018.

 

Trustee Kusiak stated, “I am honored to continue my professional development by completing the CCD and BLC courses offered through the NRECA. This knowledge will help me in my role serving as the District 7 representative on SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees. I appreciate the trust my fellow members have placed in me.”

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “Congratulations, Mr. Kusiak, for completing the Board certificate courses to advance your knowledge of the energy industry. SECO Energy is grateful for your time and dedication to serve the cooperative’s membership through your Board service. Thank you.”

 

Learn more about SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees and read a short bio about Joseph Kusiak. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

SECO Energy District 3 Trustee Gerald Anderson Earns NRECA Certificate

SECO Energy congratulates District 3 Trustee Gerald Anderson who has completed the requirements to earn the Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD) certificate from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).

 

The CCD is the first of a three-part certificate program offered by the NRECA for Board of Trustee members or Directors. Participants complete courses on director duties and liabilities, understanding the electric business, board operations and processes, strategic planning and financial decision making. The courses encompassed in the CCD curriculum prepare Trustees to fulfill their fiduciary duty as elected officials who serve on behalf of the cooperative’s members.

 

Mr. Anderson has been a SECO member for five years and resides in The Villages. He was elected to represent the members of District 3 at a special election to fill a Board vacancy on May 13, 2019.

 

Trustee Anderson stated, “I am pleased to continue my education through the NRECA’s Director Certificate Program. The lessons I’ve learned help me to sharpen my skills in the energy industry. I look forward to continuing as the District 3 Trustee to represent my fellow SECO members.”

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “Congratulations, Mr. Anderson, on completing your Credentialed Cooperative Director certificate. I am grateful for your commitment to SECO members through your service on the SECO Board of Trustees. Thank you.”

 

Learn more about SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees and read a short bio about Gerald Anderson. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.