The 86th annual meeting of the members of Excelsior EMC was held May 10 at the Bulloch County Agricultural Complex in Statesboro, with approximately 301 members participating.
Upon arrival, members drove through to register, received a registration gift, and entered into a drawing for a chance to win one of ten $100 gift cards. Members then entered the main arena of the Ag Complex for the in-person business meeting, called to order by Steve Minor, cooperative attorney.
Five employees were recognized with a service award for a combined total of 135 years of service to the cooperative. Receiving service awards were Nelsan Hobbs, 20 years; Jody Wilson, 20 years; Matt Smith, 30 years; Jim O’Brien, 30 years; and Chris Howell, 35 years.
Following the awards presentation, Greg Proctor gave the President/CEO’s Report, in which he provided members an overview of how the cooperative is continuing to provide a safe work environment and reminded members to promote safety in their daily lives. Proctor commented on the growth of the cooperative and the major projects that were completed in 2023, including the voltage conversion and capacity increase at the Jimps Substation and the reconductoring project along Highway 301. He also noted the cryptocurrency processing consumer that was added last year.
Proctor mentioned major storm events Excelsior EMC experienced in August 2023, including a severe thunderstorm on Aug. 8 and Hurricane Idalia on Aug. 30, and the assistance provided by other EMCs, contractors and retired employees. He then described efforts being made to increase the overall resiliency of the system in order to make Excelsior’s distribution system more robust, and how the cooperative has been identifying projects that will increase the capacity as well as improve the reliability of the electrical grid.
Proctor said that safety is the cooperative’s highest priority, adding that Excelsior had its fourth consecutive year of work with no lost time due to an accident. He thanked Excelsior EMC employees for their awareness and the safety culture that they exhibit daily, as well as for their hard work in keeping the lights on for members.
Proctor noted that the cost of wholesale power decreased in 2023, but inflation keeps increasing the cost of everything the cooperative purchases, therefore increasing the cost of all new powerlines added to the system. He detailed the addition of Plant Vogtle’s units 3 and 4, which came online in mid-2023 and early 2024, respectively, noting that Excelsior EMC would benefit from clean energy provided by the plants for the next 60 to 80 years.
Each year, the Board of Directors conducts a detailed review of capital credits. The 2024 revisions and updates to the cooperative’s capital credit study, along with management recommendations that there be no general retirements or estate retirements during 2024, were reviewed and approved by the board during its April meeting.
Proctor thanked the board for its role in guiding the direction of the cooperative and noted its commitment to making decisions that provide the best in safe, reliable and cost-effective service for Excelsior EMC’s members.
Proctor closed his annual report with thanks to the members for their support throughout the year and for their attendance at the annual meeting. He noted that Excelsior EMC employees are honored to be able to serve their members and strive to improve every day.
Three directors were elected to serve three-year terms: G.W. Johnson Jr., District 4; Amy Hendrix, District 5; and Grady McCray, at-large.
After the meeting was adjourned, door prizes were awarded, and attendees enjoyed ice cream.