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SECO Buys Marion County Students’ Swine and Steer

Last week, Kathy Judkins, SECO Energy’s Deputy Director for Civic, Charitable and Government Affairs, purchased one steer and three swine at the Marion County Southeastern Youth Fair at the Ocala Live Stock Pavilion.

 

Each year, hundreds of students glean from the exposure they’ve received from participating in the youth fair. They learn how to care for their animals which is very evident when they step into the auction’s area seeking the highest bid from buyers. Besides seeking the highest bid, the students gain something greater – work ethic, finance and business management skills.

 

As a buyer representing SECO, Judkins purchased a steer from Riley Thoresen, a junior at Belleview High School, who showed a steer for Wild n’ Country 4-H Club that weighed in at 937 pounds. Riley plans to use her profits from the sale to continue saving for college where she hopes to become a behavioral analyst.

 

Later in the week, Judkins purchased two pigs from Dunnellon High School Future Farmers of America (FFA). Christen Adams’ pig weighed 252 pounds and Barry Duncan’s pig weighed 225 pounds. A third pig was purchased from Cassidy Clarke, a SECO member and a senior at Belleview High School, who showed a 236-pound pig for the Wild n’ Country 4-H Club. Fighting back tears, Clarke stated, “I’ve been showing pigs for twelve consecutive years, and I’m going to miss it. This year’s swine auction will help me with my college funding. My love for animals will continue because I’ve been accepted into Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College in Tifton Georgia where I plan to major in Pre-Professional Biology and then transfer to a Veterinary Science Program.”

 

Judkins stated, “The youth fair gives students an introduction to agriculture and animals that they may never receive otherwise. For decades, SECO continues to be a proud supporter of the students in rural agriculture programs. From an educational standpoint, these students are learning valuable skills that will prepare them for remarkable careers.”

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “SECO’s participation in youth livestock programs in the counties we serve also helps the cooperative identify and encourage students whose homes are served by SECO to apply for the scholarship program. This year, SECO will award twelve $3,000 scholarships to high school seniors enrolling in a Florida institute of higher learning. Academic achievement, financial need and other factors are considered by the judges, but participation in 4-H or FFA gives students added points. I encourage these students to visit our website and apply today because the submission deadline is March 30.”

 

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

SECO Energy Awarded Outstanding Large Business

The Sumter County Chamber of Commerce awarded SECO Energy the 2017 Outstanding Large Business of the Year at its Celebrate Sumter Annual Dinner and Awards Gala on January 19, 2018, at the Savannah Center in The Villages.

 

The Annual Awards Gala celebrates businesses, large and small, in Sumter County. Members of Sumter County’s business community stood to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, and received a greeting from County Commissioner Doug Gilpin. The Honorable Judge Militello took the stage to swear in the Chamber’s 2018 Board Members including SECO’s Hank Bolduc, Key Accounts Consultant. Before dinner began, Sumter County Sheriff, William Farmer, delivered the night’s invocation. The group enjoyed dinner and live entertainment, followed by live and silent auctions.

 

During the awards presentation, SECO Energy’s Vice President of Corporate Communications and Energy Services Kathryn Gloria accepted the award naming SECO as Sumter County’s Outstanding Large Business of the Year. Gloria stated, “On behalf of SECO Energy’s CEO Jim Duncan and the Board of Trustees, I am honored to accept the award for Outstanding Large Business. Since our founding in 1938, SECO’s roots have been firmly planted in Sumter County which is home to our headquarters and many SECO employees as well. These employees are local residents who come running to restore power and answer the phones during storms. They are often your friends, neighbors and sometimes even your family members. I am delighted to share this honor with the employees of SECO Energy.”

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “It is an honor to be recognized as Sumter County’s Outstanding Large Business of the Year. This accolade is a credit to SECO’s Board of Trustees’ governance, the executive team’s leadership and our employees’ dedication and hard work. Thank you, Sumter County Chamber of Commerce, for this award and for your long-time support of local business and communities.”

 

The 2017 awardees recognized by the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce include: Dawn Hodges – Outstanding Chamber Volunteer; House of Hope – Outstanding Non-Profit; La Hacienda Catering – Outstanding Small Business; SECO Energy – Outstanding Large Business; Connie Mahan – Business Woman of the Year; and Matt Hatcher – Business Man of the Year.

 

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

Members Re-elect District 9 Trustee Jerry Hatfield

On Thursday, February 8, members who attended the District Meeting voted to re-elect Jerry Hatfield to represent District 9 on SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees. Hatfield, a SECO member since 1971, was first elected to the Board in 2000 and currently serves in an Officer position as Vice President.

 

SECO Energy is a not-for-profit electric cooperative, operated for and owned by its members. SECO members elect their fellow members to 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.

 

Members in District 9 gathered at Spring Creek Elementary in Paisley to elect a District 9 Trustee for a three-year term. In January, Hatfield and Mount Dora resident Dennis Armstrong expressed a willingness to represent the members of District 9, each submitting their letter of intent to run.

 

Hatfield stated, “Thank you District 9 members for again electing me to serve on the SECO Energy Board of Trustees. I am grateful to be able to serve my community and fellow SECO members through my continued Board service. As a long-time Lake County resident, I am humbled by the confidence and trust bestowed upon me by SECO’s District 9 members.”

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “I congratulate Mr. Hatfield on his re-election and continued service to SECO members.  Mr. Hatfield is a valuable member of SECO’s Board and a trusted member of his community. It is a pleasure to work with a Board that is member-focused and committed to the Cooperative’s success. I also extend my gratitude to our District 9 members who attended the meeting and participated in SECO’s democratic process.”

 

Duncan added, “I hope to see all of you at SECO’s Annual Meeting of the Membership in March. Enjoy breakfast and snacks, browse energy efficiency displays at the Energy Showcase and stay through the business meeting for the door prize drawing. This year, door prizes include a refurbished 2009 Chevy Colorado, an electric golf cart, cash and more.”

 

SECO members are invited to the 80th Annual Meeting of the Membership on Saturday, March 24.  Registration opens at 8:00 a.m., and the business meeting begins at 10:30 a.m. The meeting is located across the street from the corporate headquarters at 293 S. Highway 301 in Sumterville. Members who RSVP online and attend the meeting will be entered in a drawing for a $300 electric bill credit.

 

View photos and brief bios of the Trustees along with an interactive District map. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

Members Re-elect District 8 Trustee Bill James

On Thursday, February 1, members who attended the District Meeting voted to re-elect Bill James to represent District 8 on SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees. James became a SECO member in 2002 and was first elected to the Board in 2010.

 

SECO Energy is a not-for-profit electric cooperative, operated for and owned by its members. SECO members elect their fellow members to 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.

 

Members in District 8 gathered at The Manor at The Plantation at Leesburg to elect a District 8 Trustee for a three-year term. James has served on SECO’s Board for eight years, and ran unopposed.

 

James stated, “Thank you District 8 members for again electing me to serve on the SECO Energy Board of Trustees. I am privileged to continue my work with the cooperative, CEO Jim Duncan, SECO’s senior management team and my fellow Trustees. It is a pleasure to use my 50+ years of experience in the electric utility industry to make a difference in the quality and value of the electric service in the Central Florida communities served by SECO Energy.”

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “I congratulate Mr. James on his re-election and continued service to SECO members. Mr. James’ electric utility industry knowledge and experience is an asset to SECO’s Board. It is a pleasure to work with a Board that is member-focused and committed to the Cooperative’s success. I also extend my gratitude to our District 8 members who attended the meeting and participated in SECO’s democratic process.”

 

Duncan added, “I hope to see all of you at SECO’s Annual Meeting of the Membership in March. Enjoy breakfast and snacks, browse energy efficiency displays at the Energy Showcase and stay through the business meeting for the door prize drawing. This year, door prizes include a refurbished 2009 Dodge Dakota pick-up truck an electric golf cart, cash and more.”

 

SECO members are invited to the 80th Annual Meeting of the Membership on Saturday, March 24. Registration opens at 8:00 a.m., and the business meeting begins at 10:30 a.m. The meeting is located across the street from the corporate headquarters at 293 S. Highway 301 in Sumterville.

 

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

SECO Members Use 30% More Energy in January

To help members understand increasing energy bills this winter, SECO Energy has published its Central Florida January weather blog

 

January 2018 was much colder than January 2017. The average low in January was a chilly 46 degrees – last year at the same time the average low was a warmer 54 degrees. Central Florida residents experienced ten days of lows in the 30s and one day in the 20s, when snow flurries were reported at the Leesburg Airport!

 

SECO’s residential members consumed, on average, 30 percent more energy in January this year than last year. Members’ bills will reflect the increased energy consumption. SECO is advising members to expect an increase in usage and billing amounts of 30 percent or higher due to the cold weather.

 

Heating costs can vary widely depending on your home’s type of heat unit. If your thermostat does not have an “emergency heat” setting, then you will likely have electric resistance heat (also known as heat strips). This type of heating costs up to five times more to operate than a heat pump or conventional air conditioning unit.

 

SECO Energy’s Kathryn Gloria, Vice President of Corporate Communications and Energy Services, reminds members to be energy efficient in the colder months. “For energy efficiency, ENERGY STAR® recommends setting your thermostat at 68 degrees or lower. Members can install an ENERGY STAR programmable thermostat and utilize the pre-programmed settings to save energy year-round. And don’t forget to check the weather stripping on your windows and doors and re-seal as needed.”

 

Gloria added, “Even if you didn’t raise your thermostat settings in January, your heating unit ran more frequently to maintain your home’s temperature. That’s why it’s important for members to have their HVAC units serviced annually by a qualified technician and change the air filter according to manufacturer’s instructions.”

 

Members who are concerned about their January energy usage increasing more than 50 percent over last year’s usage are urged to contact SECO for a high usage investigation. To arrange for an Energy Services Specialist to visit and conduct the investigation, use the handy web form to contact SECO by visiting www.SECOEnergy.com. This service is free to SECO members.

 

There were 292 heating degree days for January 2018, while last year there were only 116 heating degree days (HDDS). Degree Days are based on how much warmer or cooler than 65°F the average temperature at a particular location is. With nearly three times as many HDDs in January, your heating units will have run more frequently to maintain your temperature setting.

 

For members who would like to learn more about energy efficiency, visit SECOEnergy.com and request a free in-home energy audit. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” the company on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

Sunshine State Expanded stats January 2018

 

FAQ:

 

Why is my bill higher this January than it was last year? Temperatures were much colder this January. The average low temperature was only 46 degrees compared to 54 degrees last year. Even if you didn’t raise your thermostat settings during January’s cold weather, your heating unit ran more frequently to maintain your home’s temperature.

 

How do I ensure my heating unit is working properly? Have your unit serviced annually by a qualified technician. The best time is typically in the spring or fall before the extreme temperatures of summer and/or winter.

 

What should I set my thermostat at during cold weather? The recommended setting for heat is 68 degrees or lower.

 

How do I know if I have a heat pump unit? A heat pump thermostat will have an “Emergency Heat” setting.

 

What is the cost difference in a heat pump and electric resistance heat? Electric resistance or heat strips can cost up to five times more to operate than a heat pump unit.

 

I have a heat pump. Aren’t these supposed to be energy efficient? Heat pumps are very efficient; however, when temperatures drop into the 30s, heat pumps rely on auxiliary heat also known as emergency heat. Your thermostat will indicate if “auxiliary” or “emergency” heat is operating. Keep in mind that Central Florida experienced 20 days with temps that dropped to the 30s and one day that dropped to the 20s. During these low temperatures every type of heating unit ran frequently to maintain warmth.

 

How do I use a heat pump most efficiently? Set it and forget it. The less you adjust the thermostat the better. If you do need to make an adjustment, raise the temperature slowly one or two degrees at a time to prevent the emergency heat from operating.

 

What else can I do to get my heating bill down?

  • Lower the thermostat to the lowest setting you are comfortable with. You can save 3-5 percent on your electric bill for every degree lower you set the thermostat.
  • Be sure to check your weather stripping and caulking. A leaky house will use more energy and produce higher bills.
  • Close your drapes or blinds at night to help retain the heat in your home.

I’m not even using my heat because I have space heaters, so why did my bill go up? Space heaters cost 15-17 cents per hour to operate. If you’re using two space heaters, the cost per hour would be about the same as a three-ton heat pump.

 

My bill is double the amount of last year’s bill and I can’t afford to pay it right now. What can I do? Contact us. For members whose bills are 50% higher than last year due to cold weather or a malfunctioning heating unit, SECO may be able to offer payment arrangements and waive late fees.

 

What energy efficiency tools does SECO offer to help me reduce energy use? 

If you want to check historical usage, log into SmartHub to view past bills and charts. If your usage is high, SECO offers several energy-efficiency tools to help you identify energy wasters.

 

Take the Home Energy Assessment to receive a detailed email tailored to your home’s features and lifestyle. The energy-saving advice will provide low-cost ways to decrease your usage – and your electric bill.

To easily calculate how much energy your appliances, lighting, electronic devices, and other energy-using items in your home consume, use the Energy Estimator.

Members Re-elect District 7 Trustee Rob Henion

On Tuesday, January 23, members who attended the District Meeting voted to re-elect Rob Henion to represent District 7 on SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees. Henion became a SECO member in 2002 and was first elected to the Board in 2009. Henion currently serves in an Officer position as Secretary-Treasurer.

 

SECO Energy is a not-for-profit electric cooperative, operated for and owned by its members. SECO members elect their fellow members to 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.

 

Members in District 7 gathered at the Rainbow Lake Estates Community Center in Dunnellon to elect a District 7 Trustee for a three-year term. Henion and Dunnellon resident Carmen A. Pintado-Kusiak along with Ocala resident Donald R. Stanton expressed a willingness to represent the members of District 7. In January, all three submitted their letter of intent to serve.

 

Henion stated, “Thank you District 7 members for once again selecting me to represent District 7 on SECO’s Board of Trustees. I am privileged to continue my work with the cooperative, CEO Jim Duncan, SECO’s senior management team and my fellow Trustees.”

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “I congratulate Mr. Henion on his re-election and continued service to SECO members. It is a pleasure to work with a Board that is member-focused and committed to the Cooperative’s success. I also extend my gratitude to our District 7 members who attended the meeting and participated in SECO’s democratic process.”

 

Duncan added, “I hope to see all of you at SECO’s Annual Meeting of the Membership in March. Enjoy breakfast and snacks, browse energy efficiency displays at the Energy Showcase and stay through the business meeting for the door prize drawing. This year, door prizes include a refurbished 2009 Chevy Colorado pick-up truck an electric golf cart, cash and more.”

SECO members are invited to the 80th Annual Meeting of the Membership on Saturday, March 24. Registration opens at 8:00 a.m., and the business meeting begins at 10:30 a.m. The meeting is located across the street from the corporate headquarters at 293 S. Highway 301 in Sumterville.

 

Visit SECOEnergy.com>YourCo-Op for photos and brief bios of the Trustees along with an interactive District map. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

$36,000 in SECO Scholarships Up for Grabs

SECO Energy is renewing its commitment to young scholars through its 2018 Scholarship program. Apply today, as SECO will award up to twelve $3,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors in late April.

 

SECO’s Board of Trustees has authorized a total of $36,000 for SECO’s 2018 Scholarship program. For more than two decades, SECO has awarded scholarships to deserving, local students. During the program’s tenure, SECO has awarded over $500,000 in scholarship assistance to more than 250 high school graduates seeking further education.

 

To be eligible, applicants must be a high school senior graduating in 2018 (May/June) who live in a home served by SECO Energy. Scholarship recipients must be enrolled full-time in an accredited college, university or vocational/technical school located in Florida by the end of 2018 to receive scholarship disbursement.

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “Last summer, SECO was proud to offer an internship in our Engineering department to Megan Elliott, a 2016 SECO Scholarship awardee. We hope to cultivate new relationships and attract future employees through our scholarship program. SECO offers high-skill, high-wage positions in beautiful Central Florida, so that students who grew up in this area can find a promising career path and stay close to family and friends.”

 

SECO’s Board of Trustees President Ray Vick stated, “On behalf of the Board, it is an honor to continue the scholarship program. Our local communities abound with bright, talented young scholars who are poised to be tomorrow’s community and business leaders, and I am looking forward to meeting this year’s group of recipients.”

 

Scholarship applications are available at all SECO Member Service Centers beginning January 2, 2018. Applicants can also visit our Scholarship page to print an application or check with your local high school guidance counselor. SECO must receive the completed applications with all required components before March 30, 2018 at 5 pm.

 

As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO adheres to the seven key cooperative principles. SECO’s long-standing scholarship program exhibits the cooperative’s Concern for Community and belief in Education, Training and Information by offering educational assistance to local young people.

 

Learn more about SECO’s community involvement by visiting SECO’s Community page. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” the company on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

SECO Delivers for Yearly Toys for Tots Drive

SECO Energy employees performed the role of Santa Claus for SECO’s annual Toys for Tots toy drive. The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program collects new, unwrapped toys and distributes them as Christmas gifts to local children in need.

 

SECO employees were especially generous this year as they shopped for and donated hundreds of toys for the Toys for Tots Program. Each of SECO’s five Member Service Centers were open to the public as local drop-off locations for Toys for Tots, and charitable SECO members contributed toys as well. Toys collected at our Member Service Centers and Operations Centers will be dispersed to children in Sumter, Lake, Marion and Citrus Counties.

 

 

As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO adheres to the seven key cooperative principles – one of which is Concern for Community. SECO employees reflect this principle by remembering the youngest community members through their Toys for Tots donations.

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “During the Christmas Season and beyond, SECO employees are a perpetually generous group. Our employees donate toys to support SECO’s Toys for Tots drive and willingly pledge a portion of their yearly salary to endow service programs in nearby communities through United Way.”

 

Employees donned their Santa hats and smiled for the camera while displaying the toys gathered across the cooperative. The toys collected through Toys for Tots will bring joy to thousands of local children who will wake up to presents under the tree on Christmas morning.

 

Duncan added, “I am extremely fortunate to work with employees who actively share their good fortune with those in need and aspire to make a difference in our area.”

 

Learn more about SECO’s community involvement here. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” the company on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

Reliability, Raptors and a River

SECO Energy first electrified homes and farms in Lake, Sumter and Marion Counties in 1938. The not-for-profit electric cooperative has grown alongside the counties it serves, and now provides safe, affordable, reliable power to 200,000 homes and businesses across Central Florida.

 

Currently, 63,000 of those members live in Lake County, famous for its vast number of lakes, rivers and streams in its 1,100-square mile area. In fact, almost 20 percent of the county is covered by water. SECO’s Operations crews responsible for building and maintaining SECO facilities must adapt to the unique watery landscape.

 

Years ago, linemen attached climbing spikes to their boots and scaled poles on a daily basis, and facilities were installed using the most direct route possible. Lines would span small bodies of water, and poles were sometimes installed in water. Currently, one such pole rises out of Tavares’ Dead River, and a SECO crew was recently transported to work on it using a 75-ton crane.

 

 

This particular pole is concrete, supports a main feeder line and has an osprey nesting dish installed at the top. Dishes offer nesting space for raptors that inhabit Lake County waterways. The longstanding osprey nest on this dish was inactive and was collecting debris from years of inactivity. The rotting debris was falling off the dish and making contact with the feeder line and caused a feeder outage for 250 SECO members.

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “Improving reliability for SECO members served by this feeder was the cooperative’s immediate concern. Operations crews restored power to these members in under an hour by temporarily rerouting or backfeeding power through a different feeder line, but a permanent fix was needed. To complete this system improvement project, crews needed to replace the insulators, add new conductor line, and remove the rotting debris from the osprey dish – all while suspended 45 feet in the air above the Dead River.”

 

SECO Energy places a top priority on Safety – a cooperative Core Value. Safety was the first consideration during the planning and execution of this project. Standard utility bucket trucks aren’t equipped for this type of work. To comply with safe work practices, SECO needed heavy equipment, employing a 75-ton crane and attaching a crane basket for the team’s 45-foot ascension over the river to safely access the facilities.

 

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0U1uGCfBhDc[/embedyt]

 

Stationing a 75-ton crane near the marshy river bank was impossible. The pole would have to be accessed from the river overpass on Highway 441. With assistance from the Florida Highway Patrol and permitting from Lake County, the right two lanes were closed after 7 pm. The crane rolled in while SECO personnel set-up a roadside job site.

 

Line techs from SECO’s Eustis Operating Center – Nathan Rioux and Brandon Blackmon – volunteered to work suspended over the river while Sumterville line tech Logan Land observed from the rescue boat. Previously that day, the line was grounded and de-energized for safety.

 

Before work commenced, SECO personnel and crane operators secured and tested the connections from the crane to the basket that would hold the men aloft. Nathan and Brandon donned their personal protective equipment and inspected their safety harnesses that attach to the crane basket. The basket’s maneuvers were tested while empty and with the men on-board.

 

Once testing was complete, the hard work began. Nathan and Brandon replaced the damaged insulators and spliced in 20 feet of overhead conductor before installing new animal deterrents. Logan observed the work from the rescue boat below – keeping an eye on the alligators and fishing boats. The team removed all nest debris that caused the power outage. With a cleaner, safer dish now available, ospreys will soon build anew.

 

SECO’s Safety and Risk Manager was on-site to oversee the project from beginning to end. Additional safety measures for this project included directing traffic away from the work site, a rescue boat staged in the river at the base of the pole and multiple SECO personnel observing the project from ground level.

 

Duncan added, “In the future, SECO is proposing a redesign of this feeder as underground service. This enhancement requires a St. John’s Water Management District permit, as SECO plans to bore under the Dead River.”

 

This project was critical to immediately improving reliability to the area and providing a safe nesting dish for osprey. The pole will remain in its current location to support existing communications cable and fiber lines belonging to other entities. The pole and nesting dish will stand available for future generations of roosting osprey making their home near the river.

 

View the entire album of video footage and photographs on SECO’s Flickr page.

 

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

SECO Employees Pledge $52,200 for United Way

SECO Employees Pledge 52,200 to United WaySECO Energy’s yearly United Way pledge drive concluded on Giving Tuesday, and once again SECO employees demonstrated their personal commitment to local communities by pledging generously. This year, SECO employees pledged $52,214 for United Way’s 2018 Live United campaign.

 

The Tuesday after Thanksgiving is recognized as Giving Tuesday – a global giving movement to help neighbors in need. SECO employees’ pledges aid in endowing local service programs benefitting the communities in SECO’s footprint and beyond. The United Way fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community. Yearly, 61 million people across the world benefit from the programs and services funded by the United Way.

 

Much of the pledged funding is locally designated by each employee to the agency of their choice and administered through the United Way. 2018’s United Way campaign hit close to home for SECO employees who witnessed first-hand the devastation from Hurricane Irma this summer. As of Giving Tuesday 2018, the cooperative’s employees had topped the 2017 pledges of $50,171 – beating it by $2,043.

 

CEO Jim Duncan states, “SECO employees consistently display their goodwill toward others, and I am grateful to work with employees who care about our members and our communities. I applaud our employees’ generous spirit with their promise of $52,214 to support local United Ways. This giving spirit reflects the very essence of our not-for-profit electric cooperative business model.”

 

Kathy Judkins, SECO Energy’s Deputy Director of Civic, Charitable and Government Affairs stated, “On Giving Tuesday, commit to volunteering your time or donating monetarily to help others in need. I am so proud of SECO employees’ willingness to share a portion of their paycheck with local communities through their United Way pledges, and through their personal altruistic endeavors throughout the year.”

 

To learn more about the United Way, find a volunteer opportunity or to be connected with a local agency, visit www.UnitedWay.org. To learn more about SECO Energy’s corporate citizenship initiatives.

 

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