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 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 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.
Over the last two days, SECO Energy has noticed an escalation in reports from members in The Villages who have been targeted by phone scammers in a combination of live person calls and automated robo calls. The scam callers demand payment within 30 minutes or service will be disconnected. Some scam callers have advised that a truck is in the area to collect cash payment or payment can be made via PayPal.
The scam appears to be a boots-on-the ground effort to collect cash, money cards or PayPal funds. The scams have been identified as a Villages-targeted effort, and SECO has notified law enforcement. SECO does not collect money in the field or call to threaten disconnection of service if payment isn’t rendered. SECO does not disconnect service after regular business hours or on the weekend.
If a member is contacted and the caller indicates someone is in the area to collect payment, the member should call the local law enforcement agency to report it. An impersonator on the phone often tries to make a scam believable by providing a name and employee identification number – don’t fall for it. The caller may pretend to know your account details. Do not fall for this or reveal any financial or account information to a scammer.
In the field, SECO employees carry company identification and drive company vehicles with the SECO Energy logo displayed prominently. SECO authorized contractor vehicles are marked as an authorized contractor and display the SECO logo. Contract employees carry SECO-issued contractor Identification. If you are approached by a SECO employee or contractor, please ask to see the individual’s ID. If you don’t have an appointment with a SECO employee, don’t answer the door. Call law enforcement.
For more information on scams, visit our website and click the Scams banner.
On Monday, May 13, members who attended SECO Energy’s District 3 Special Meeting voted to elect Gerald B. Anderson to represent their District and the members at large on SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees. The Special Meeting to elect a new District 3 was held to fill the vacant Board seat. Mr. Anderson will serve the remainder of the term that ends in early 2022.
A SECO member for nearly five years, Mr. Anderson served in the Marine Corps and worked for a utilities manufacturing company. Mr. Anderson served as president of his hometown volunteer Fire Department, was elected to four six-year terms on the Board of Supervisors of Warrington, Pennsylvania and after retiring he was appointed as Director of Operations for Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He and his wife, Jane, enjoy making friends through their work with the Belle Aire Social Club in which Mr. Anderson serves as President and Mrs. Anderson serves as Secretary.
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 3 gathered at The Villages’ Savannah Center for the election and to hear a short update on the status of the cooperative. In total, eight members residing in District 3 submitted a letter of intent to run. In addition to new District 3 Trustee Gerald B. Anderson, the candidates who expressed their willingness to represent the members of District 3 were: Stephen M. Doran, Paul G. Embs, Barry R. Evans, Gary L. Jackson, Bryan T. Lifsey, Aileen M. Milton and Albert D. Uhryniak.
Mr. Anderson is eager to begin his duties as the new District 3 Trustee stating, “Thank you District 3 members for trusting me to represent you on the SECO Energy Board of Trustees. My previous experience in the utility industry will allow me to readily fulfill my new role in cooperative governance.”
Board President and District 9 Trustee Jerry Hatfield stated, “Congratulations, Mr. Anderson, on your election as District 3 Trustee. On behalf of myself and the Board, I am excited to welcome Mr. Anderson as our newest Board member.”
CEO Jim Duncan stated, “Congratulations to Mr. Anderson on his successful election as the new District 3 Trustee. The willingness of District 3 candidates to share their time, knowledge and energy to work for the SECO Energy membership is unprecedented. A Board of Trustees elected by its fellow members is a unique component of the not-for-profit cooperative business model and democratic process. I look forward to SECO’s continued success working with Mr. Anderson and our current Board members.”
Visit SECO’s Your Co-op page for photos and brief Trustee bios along with an interactive District map. “Like” SECO Energy on Facebook and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.
At year-end 2018, your not-for-profit cooperative served 205,644 members with reliable, safe, affordable power. The communities SECO Energy serves in our seven-county area are growing. You and your fellow members consumed over 3.14 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) last year – an increase of 184 million kWh over 2017.
We welcomed 5,161 new members in 2018. SECO invested over $3.3 million per month to maintain, inspect and build new infrastructure to reach new members and improve system reliability. The total investment in facilities tops $878.7 million.
Much of our growth can be attributed to The Villages expansion in Sumter County but other counties are prospering as well. 23% of last year’s new growth occurred in Marion County and 32% was attributed to Lake County. 43% of the growth falls in Sumter County, and SECO’s 2019 work plan aligns with that ongoing development.
This month, I’m highlighting a noteworthy system improvement project – the $3 million Federal substation expansion in Sumter County along County Road 501. Federal’s expansion is impressive – tripling its size – making it the largest in SECO’s territory to keep pace with growth in The Villages of Fenney, Southern Oaks and the Turnpike area.
The existing substation was rebuilt in 2017. A new control house was installed. The high and low side bus work was rebuilt, the sub was completely rewired and expanded foundations were poured.
In this state-of-the-art substation, we are adding two 56 MVA power transformers for a total of three, and building eight new distribution feeders for a total of 12 to serve more members. Federal serves 3,000 members – my home included. After expansion, capacity will increase ten-fold to potentially power 30,000 members’ homes.
Safeguarding this multi-million-dollar investment is a relay protection scheme programmed to protect the substation and power transformers to keep the sub operational. SECO Relay Technicians like Travis Taylor (who you’ll read about as this month’s SECO Champion) compute the limits feeders can distribute and the amount of fault current feeders can absorb and continue to operate safely.
Power transformers provide the proper voltage to members served by the substation. When unexpected outages occur, a car hits a pole or a tree falls on the line, relays operate and try to clear the fault/interruption detected on the line. A power blink is the relay scheme in action, interrupting power and restoring quickly. If the fault still exists after the blink, the relay shuts the power flow to protect the transformers as well as the downline breakers and equipment.
Like the substation itself, the relay scheme is high-tech. Federal will be equipped with an auto-restore scheme. If a power transformer is nonoperational, a transformer in the substation will automatically pick up the load in less than a minute. Thus, members may see a blink instead of a full outage. The transmission lines will be fully looped – meaning if a fault occurs on one side of the transmission line, another side will automatically pick up the load and members won’t know a problem occurred.
SECO’s 48 substations are inspected monthly. Crews visually inspect all material, run diagnostic tests and view equipment through an infrared camera that detects temperature variations. Equipment that is out of normal temperature ranges is inspected and replaced or repaired.
Along with monthly maintenance, substations undergo a major overhaul every eight years. Our techs test relays, breakers and transformers. Test records help build trends over time. Every year, a dissolved gas analysis is conducted on all substation power transformers. Techs take a sample of the oil found in the transformers and test for arcing, which is the first sign of failure. Samples are tested in-house at our mini lab and sent away for further analysis if dangerous gases are present and degradation is suspected.
Federal is one of many system improvement projects scheduled this year. The Marion Oaks substation is being completely rebuilt, and we’re upgrading the Ocala Park substation. Major maintenance is happening at the Clermont, Haines Creek, Inverness, Linadale, Mount Dora and The Villages substations.
Improving reliability and keeping power affordable for you and your family are top priorities at SECO.
Sincerely,
Jim Duncan
Chief Executive Officer
Meet SECO Champion Travis Taylor – an example of our 400+ SECO Champion employees. Travis is dedicated to providing exceptional service to members, co-workers and communities.
TRAVIS TAYLOR – RELAY TECHNICIAN
LENGTH OF SERVICE – 2 YEARS
“SECO is reliable.”
SECO Champion Travis Taylor is a 1st Class Relay Technician stationed in Sumterville. As a Relay Technician, he commissions, tests and maintains the equipment in SECO’s substations. A Florida native originally from Apopka, Travis and his wife have two young sons and make their home on the eastern side of SECO’s territory in Mount Dora. Travis and his family are active at their local church. Travis’ work at the Federal substation is instrumental in bringing its two new power transformers and expanded member capacity online. When Federal’s expansion is complete it will be the largest substation in SECO’s territory.
RELAY FOR LIFE – JOIN THE SECO ENERGY VIRTUAL TEAM
SECO Energy is a proud, long-time supporter of the American Cancer Society by participating in local Relay For Life events. Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s premier event.
This year, we are asking members to join a virtual SECO Relay For Life team established in your local community.
By partnering with SECO’s virtual Relay For Life team, you become a member of an organization of 3.5 million survivors, patients, advocates, volunteers, caregivers and researchers doing everything within our power to save lives.
You can participate virtually and/or in person. To join a SECO Energy team, visit Relay Events, look for “Find a Participant or Team” and choose “Team.” Enter team name: “SECO Energy” and click “Search.” Choose your local Relay event to join one of SECO’s teams, donate or dedicate a luminaria.
Join SECO Energy and the American Cancer Society today!
CALL 811 BEFORE YOU DIG
Planting a garden or a tree? Call 811 before you dig. In Florida, it’s the law.
Sunshine 811 is a free service that locates and marks underground utilities, keeping you and your family safe from digging into buried electric, natural gas, telephone or water lines. Know what’s below – dial 811 or visit Sunshine 811 online to request utility locating assistance.
TREE LINE USA 12 YEARS GROWING
We are proud to announce that SECO Energy has earned the Tree Line USA Utility distinction from the Arbor Day Foundation. Your cooperative has been named a Tree Line USA Utility now for 12 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 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.
