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SECO Energy Partners with United Way at 81st Annual Meeting

SECO Energy is partnering with local United Way agencies during its Annual Meeting of the Membership on March 23, 2019, with a food donation drive to help restock local food pantries. Food donation drop-offs will be situated near parking areas between registration and the big American flag displays.

 

“Feeding the Cooperative Spirit” is the theme for this year’s Annual Meeting and is also a mission. Many local food banks are running desperately low on critical need food items. These shortages compromise their ability to support area residents. SECO and its local United Way partners have a plan to change that.

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “This year’s Annual Meeting is a perfect opportunity for community-minded members and guests, along with SECO and the United Way, to fill a community need. Almost 7,000 members and guests attended last year’s Annual Meeting, and we are expecting an even larger crowd this year. Please donate canned, boxed or jarred foods upon arrival at this year’s Annual Meeting food drive. Together, we can make a tangible difference in the communities we serve.”

 

Consider donating low-sodium, low-sugar options including canned meats, fruits, vegetables, soups and stews. Canned or dried beans, whole grains such as oatmeal, rice and pasta, assorted baby foods and prepared meals are also good options.

 

Local food pantry needs for 2019 Annual Meeting food drive

 

Gates and registration open at 8 a.m. To register bring a copy of your bill and photo ID. Members who attend the meeting are treated to hot sausage egg and cheese biscuits, cookies, doughnuts, coffee and soft drinks, a SECO gift and a 2018 Annual Report. Find a seat in the Annual Meeting Pavilion because Margo Rochelle & Rodeo Drive will be center stage. Visit the Energy Showcase for energy efficiency ideas and product information from SECO’s partners, and pick up a free LED provided by our wholesale provider Seminole Electric.

 

Members are invited to stroll the grounds and locate a member of the Facebook Help Squad. Snap a selfie or take a picture while at the Annual Meeting and post it on SECO’s Facebook page for the chance to win a $300 bill credit. Be sure to “like” SECO’s Facebook page before the meeting begins.

 

The business meeting begins at 10:30 a.m. Toward the end of the business meeting, members will be asked to vote on the Board-recommended Articles of Incorporation amendment and related Bylaws revision. After the votes, the drawing for grand and door prizes begins. Grand prizes this year include a refurbished 2009 Ford SuperCab 4X4, a gas-powered golf cart and $1,500 cash. Door prizes include cash, gift cards and assorted high-tech items.

 

Click on the RSVP home page banner to RSVP online before the meeting to help SECO with breakfast and gift headcount. Members who RSVP online are entered in a drawing for a $300 bill credit. As with all other prizes you must be present to win.

 

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

SECO Energy Trustee Richard Belles Resigns

SECO Energy announced today that District 3 Trustee Richard Belles has resigned from the Board of Trustees. Belles was elected initially in 2013 and has been a SECO Energy member since 2001.

 

Per the SECO Energy Bylaws, the cooperative will hold a special District 3 Meeting in the near future to elect a new Trustee. District 3 members will be invited to the special meeting and provided with instructions about Trustee candidacy and the election via a District Notice letter.

 

SECO Energy is the third largest cooperative in the state and the seventh largest in the nation. At the end of 2018, the not-for-profit cooperative was delivering power to 205,887 service locations.

 

The reliability of SECO’s $878.7 million electric system remains stellar. In 2018, the cooperative invested $3.3 million per month to extend facilities to new members and improve reliability to existing members. The cooperative’s 2018 ACSI (American Customer Satisfaction Index) score rose to 89.

Members Re-elect District 5 Trustee Ray Vick

District 5 members gathered at Inverness Middle School on Thursday, February 21, to elect a member to represent their District on SECO’s Board of Trustees. The members elected Mr. Ray Vick who lives in Inverness and has been a SECO member since 1974. Mr. Vick was first elected to the Board in 1980.

 

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 a three-year term on SECO’s nine-member Board of Trustees. Collectively, the Board represents the SECO membership at large. The Board meets 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.

 

In early February, Mr. Vick declared his continued willingness to serve the members in District 5 by submitting his letter of intent to run for Trustee. Joseph M. Judge of Inverness, Patricia A. Sandoval of Floral City and Chris L. Smith of Inverness also submitted letters of intent to run.

 

Trustee Vick stated, “Thank you, District 5 members, for re-electing me as your Trustee. I am humbly grateful for your long-standing trust in my service to SECO members. Serving on SECO’s Board is a rewarding experience, and I look forward to a new term.”

 

President Jerry Hatfield stated, “Congratulations, Mr. Vick, on your re-election as District 5 Trustee. SECO Energy is a fiscally responsible organization, and I know Mr. Vick takes his duties seriously in support of the members.”

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “First, I would like to thank the candidates from District 5 for their willingness to serve their fellow members on SECO’s Board of Trustees. It is gratifying to have such a strong show of support from members. Congratulations to Mr. Vick on his re-election.”

 

Duncan continued, “I hope members plan to attend our Annual Meeting on Saturday, March 23. We will be serving breakfast, coffee, soft drinks and snacks. Members can visit the Energy Showcase for energy-efficiency displays, enjoy live entertainment and enter for the chance to win door prizes. The grand prizes this year are a refurbished 2009 Ford SuperCab 4-wheel drive with less than 60,000 miles, a golf cart, cash and more. Read the upcoming March edition of SECO News for a full list of all door prizes.”

 

Visit the 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 Earns 2019 Tree Line USA Recognition

SECO Energy is proud to announce it has earned the Tree Line USA Utility distinction from the Arbor Day Foundation. The cooperative has been named a Tree Line USA Utility for twelve consecutive years.

 

The Arbor Day Foundation created the Tree Line USA program to recognize public and private utilities for practices that protect and enhance America’s urban forests. A collaboration of the Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters, Tree Line USA promotes the dual goals of delivering safe and reliable electricity while maintaining healthy community trees.

 

To be named a Tree Line USA Utility, SECO follows the Arbor Day Foundation’s standards that include quality tree care, annual worker training, tree planting and public education, tree-based energy conservation programs and participation in an annual Arbor Day celebration event.

 

SECO contracts with professional utility tree trimming services that employ trimmers who are specially trained to perform work near electric lines. SECO’s contractors prune trees according to International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) standards that maintain a healthy tree structure and appearance.

 

“Trees are a critical part of urban landscapes all across the United States,” said Dan Lambe, president of the Arbor Day Foundation. “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 is proud of SECO’s Vegetation Management team for their Tree Line USA recognition, stating “Congratulations to our Vegetation Management team for helping SECO earn its 12th consecutive Tree Line USA recognition. Reducing the potential for tree-caused outages and SECO’s commitment to member satisfaction is a delicate balance. Trees growing too close to power lines are a leading cause of power outages in our service area. Communicating with members about trimming near their property and following industry best practices for tree care promote healthy community trees while lowering the number of tree-caused outages and shortening outage duration.”

 

SECO encourages members to plant the right tree in the right place to reduce energy consumption and save on energy costs. To reduce cooling costs, plant deciduous trees to the south, southwest or west sides of structures to reduce heat from the summer sun. To reduce heating costs, plant evergreens and shrubs on the north and west sides of structures to block winds. Trees that grow to a mature height of over 40 feet should never be planted near power lines.

 

Learn more about landscaping to reduce energy costs or planting the right tree in the right place online. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

Members Re-elect District 1 Trustee Scott Boyatt

Congratulations to SECO Energy District 1 Trustee Scott Boyatt on his re-election. District 1 members gathered at Pine Ridge Elementary School in Clermont on Thursday, January 31, to elect a Trustee to represent their District on SECO’s Board. Mr. Boyatt lives in Clermont and has been a SECO member since 2004. Mr. Boyatt was first elected to the Board in 2013.

 

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. 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. Boyatt declared his continued willingness to serve the members in District 1 by submitting his letter of intent to run for Trustee. Elected Trustees serve a three-year term. Mr. Boyatt’s candidacy for District 1 Trustee was unopposed.

 

Trustee Boyatt stated, “I thank the District 1 members for pledging their continued support for me as their Trustee. After recently completing my Director Gold Credentials from the NRECA, I am looking forward to putting my enhanced skill set to work for not only District 1 members but SECO’s membership as a whole.”

 

President Jerry Hatfield stated, “Congratulations, Mr. Boyatt, on your re-election as District 1 Trustee. Mr. Boyatt is a valued member of SECO’s Board, and I look forward to working with him and my peers on behalf of our fellow SECO members.”

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “Thank you, District 1 members, for joining us at your District Meeting and participating in the cooperative governance process. I congratulate Mr. Boyatt on his re-election and thank him for sharing his industry knowledge to support his fellow members. I am grateful for our Board’s fiduciary guidance and oversight, and their collective knowledge of the utility industry.”

 

Duncan continued, “I hope members plan to attend our Annual Meeting on Saturday, March 23. We will be serving breakfast, coffee, soft drinks and snacks. Members can visit the Energy Showcase for energy-efficiency displays, enjoy live entertainment and enter for the chance to win door prizes. The grand prizes this year are a refurbished 2009 Ford SuperCab 4-wheel drive with less than 60,000 miles, a golf cart, cash and many other prizes.”

 

Visit SECO’s 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 Trustee Scott Boyatt Earns Director Gold Credential

SECO Energy congratulates District 1 Trustee Scott Boyatt for continuing his education and earning the Director Gold Credential from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).

 

The NRECA offers a Director Certification Program for not-for-profit electric cooperative Trustees to better understand their roles and responsibilities, stay up-to-date on key issues and energy trends while preparing them to meet the challenges facing electric cooperatives now and in the future. To attain the Director Gold Credential, Mr. Boyatt first completed the Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD) Certificate and the Board Leadership Certificate (BLC).

 

Mr. Boyatt lives in Clermont and became a SECO member in 2004. He was elected by District 1 members to serve as their representative on SECO’s Board of Trustees in 2013. Collectively, SECO’s nine-member Board of Trustees represents members as a whole with one Trustee elected from each of SECO’s nine Districts.

 

Trustee Boyatt stated, “I am very proud to represent my fellow District 1 members as their voice on SECO Energy’s Board. After earning the BLC last year, I was inspired to earn the Director Gold Credential before the District 1 Trustee election on January 31. Upon completing the Director Certification Program, I felt that I was called to run for Trustee again and I am confident in my ability to serve our members.”

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “Congratulations to Mr. Boyatt on his recent educational achievement and his willingness to serve as District 1 Trustee. SECO’s Board has continually supported our cooperative’s efforts to offer members improved reliability, safe and affordable power with excellent customer service. I am grateful for the Board’s guidance and their commitment to fellow members.”

 

Duncan continued, “Make plans to attend our 81st Annual Meeting of the membership on Saturday, March 23. We are serving breakfast and snacks, providing live entertainment and offering members chances to win prizes, including a refurbished 2009 Ford SuperCab, a golf cart, several cash prizes and a large variety of other door prizes.”

 

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.

Members Re-elect District 3 Trustee Richard Belles

SECO Energy District 3 members gathered at The Villages’ Savannah Center on Thursday, January 24 to elect a Trustee to represent their District on SECO’s Board. Members voted to re-elect District 3 Trustee Richard Belles. A SECO member since 2001, Mr. Belles was first elected to the Board in 2013.

 

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. 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.

 

In January, both Mr. Belles and fellow District 3 resident Bryan Lifsey declared their willingness to serve the members in District 3 by submitting letters of intent to run. On the afternoon of January 24, a large crowd assembled in the Savannah Center to elect a District 3 Trustee for a three-year term.

 

Trustee Belles stated, “Thank you District 3 members for choosing me as your Trustee. I am humbled and honored by your support and trust. It is a pleasure to work on your behalf with my fellow Trustees, and I look forward to continuing my Board service.”

 

President Jerry Hatfield stated, “Mr. Belles’ Board service has had a meaningful impact on SECO’s improved reliability, financial stability and customer service recognitions and success. I congratulate him on his re-election and I look forward to his assistance in serving our fellow SECO members.”

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “Congratulations to Mr. Belles on his re-election and thank you District 3 members for participating in your District Meeting. SECO’s Board of Trustees is an important piece of the cooperative process. They are a fiscally responsible group who is very supportive of SECO, its members and employees. I am grateful for our Board’s fiduciary guidance and oversight, and their collective knowledge of the utility industry.”

 

Duncan continued, “I hope members plan to attend our Annual Meeting on Saturday, March 23. We will be serving breakfast, snacks, visit the Energy Showcase for energy-efficiency displays, enjoy live entertainment and the chance to win door prizes. The grand prizes this year are a refurbished 2009 Ford SuperCab 4-wheel drive with less than 60,000 miles, a golf cart, cash and many other prizes.”

Visit our Trustees page to view a photo and read a 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.

Members Rate SECO Tops in Satisfaction

SECO Energy members have once again rated the not-for-profit electric cooperative top in customer satisfaction. SECO received an outstanding ACSI score of 89 in 2018, a one-point increase from the cooperative’s 2017 score.

 

The American Customer Satisfaction Index provides a one-of-a-kind, cross-industry measurement of customer satisfaction. ACSI scores are comparable across all sectors, industries, companies and time periods. SECO Energy conducted the membership survey that included the ACSI metrics at year end and contacted members both by phone and online to ask about their unique experience with the cooperative. Members rated SECO an impressive score of 89.

 

When comparing SECO to average ACSI scores in the energy industry – SECO is a clear Florida and national frontrunner. Nationally, cooperative utilities averaged 77 in 2018. Scores for municipal and investor-owned utilities both averaged slightly lower at 75.

 

Among 18 other metrics in the survey, members ranked SECO as “excellent” on 16 of 18 attributes with the highest ratings for employees, bills and payment options, minimizing outages, having consumers’ best interests at heart and the cooperative’s corporate citizenship initiatives. Three attributes increased significantly from 2017: having highly trained, professional employees, communicating with members and keeping them informed and being easy to reach.

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “SECO’s recent increase in our ACSI score is a clear indicator that our employees are our cooperative’s greatest asset. Accolades and high rankings from members are a testament to our employees’ dedication to improving reliability, maintaining low rates and offering members world-class customer service. I am grateful to work with a group of folks committed to the cooperative purpose.”

 

Duncan continued, “And thank you, members, in particular for recognizing our employees’ efforts on your behalf. We are grateful for your continued approval and support.”

 

The survey also included feedback that members’ satisfaction increased with the addition of our new StormCenter outage map and communications suite that offers proactive email, text and voice notifications. To manage preferences, visit SECO Energy’s StormCenter.

 

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. Visit SECO Energy’s About SECO page to learn more about the Central Florida not-for-profit electric cooperative.

$36,000 in Scholarships Available from SECO Energy

SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees has once again approved $36,000 in 2019 scholarships to support local students looking to fulfill their quest for a higher education. SECO has provided over $500,000 in scholarships to area students during the program’s 20-year tenure.

 

The Cooperative will award up to 12 local high school students a $3,000 scholarship toward their education at an accredited college, university or vocational/technical school located in Florida. To be considered, applicants must live in a home served by SECO and must graduate in the 2019 school year (May/June). Awardees must be enrolled full time by the end of 2019 to receive the scholarship disbursement.

 

Scholarship awards are based on scholastic achievements, community service and financial need as well as an interest in pursuing a career in the energy field. An independent group of educators from within SECO’s service area evaluates all applicants and determines the winners.

 

CEO Jim Duncan encourages area high school seniors to apply stating, “We are happy to continue SECO’s scholarship program in 2019. SECO embraces educational initiatives, especially ones that may lead to future energy industry careers. In addition to scholarships, SECO has formed a partnership with Dunnellon High School assisting students in its Power Generation Academy. We talk to students of all ages about careers at SECO when attending career fairs.”

 

Duncan added, “Our communities are full of bright, talented young men and women who are looking for stable employment close to their hometowns with benefits and competitive compensation. We hope that our scholarship winners will choose to apply for a position at SECO as they begin their career.”

 

Scholarship applications are available beginning January 2 at SECO’s Member Service Centers or on our Scholarship page. Students can also pick up an application at their local high school guidance counselors’ offices.

 

Mail completed applications to: SECO Energy Attn: Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 301, Sumterville, FL 33585-0301. SECO must receive the completed application by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 29. Winners will be notified by phone or letter on or before April 26. The awards banquet is scheduled for May 20, 2019.

 

“Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates. Visit our Community page to learn more about SECO’s corporate citizenship and other community outreach initiatives.