Even the threat of bad weather couldn’t keep a crowd of more than 550 people from attending Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative’s (MEC) Annual Membership Meeting held in Chase City on June 19. Prior to the business session, attendees visited booths with information about EMPOWER Broadband, ElecTel Cooperative Credit Union, MEC’s right of way program and SmartHub account management system, Generac and energy efficiency tips from Old Dominion Electric Cooperative (ODEC). A wellness area from Community Memorial Hospital/VCU and the Mecklenburg County Health Department provided free health screenings and give-away items, while the Kid’s Zone featured games and prizes for the youngsters. Members and guests alike enjoyed a hearty dinner prepared by Risin’ Smoke Barbecue of South Hill.

The theme of this year’s meeting was “Driven by Responsibility;” and after calling the meeting to order, Board Chairman David Jones of Bracey emphasized the organization’s on-going commitment to serving its member-owners. “That responsibility begins with the strategic direction provided to your cooperative by the eleven-member board of directors here on this stage, elected by you, to represent the membership in every decision,” he stated. “We are driven by the responsibility to serve you, and we are very proud to do so.”

John Lee, MEC president and CEO, thanked everyone for coming out even with the impending bad weather. He explained that this year’s theme, “Driven by Responsibility,” represents the tremendous responsibility that has been entrusted to MEC and stated, “We are driven to meet our members’ expectations by the confidence and faith they place in us to get the job done.”

He went on to explain that the year 2018, in its entirety, was a very challenging year from an operations standpoint due to inclement weather. Lee noted, “There are no walls within Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative … our entire organization works in finely tuned unison to ensure power is available to you. That unity is never stronger, nor more evident, than when your cooperative moves into disaster recovery mode.”

Cooperative Attorney Warren Matthews conducted the election of Directors and at the conclusion of the process, he announced the re-election of the following to serve for three-year terms: David C. Hall of Hurt, Brandon G. Hudson of Virgilina, Fletcher B. Jones of Palmer Springs, and Angela B. Wilson of Emporia.

Lee introduced the evening’s guest speaker, Marcus Harris who is president and CEO of Old Dominion Electric Cooperative (ODEC), the power supplier for Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative and 10 other cooperatives located in Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware. He spoke to the crowd about ODEC’s commitment to the Clover Power Station and the new Wildcat Point generating facility that recently came online.

After the meeting was adjourned, a drawing was held for door prizes donated by MEC’s vendors and business associates.