The Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Newberry Electric Cooperative, Inc. was held at Newberry Electric Cooperative, Inc., located in Newberry County, South Carolina, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chairman Johnnie Dickert, followed by Trustee John Wayne Nichols' invocation, with the determination of a quorum present.
The secretary reported that the following Board Members were present:
Barbara C. Bishop
Leon Fulmer, Jr.
J. Craig Kesler
Melanie B. Hawkins
William Lominick, Sr.
Johnnie L. Dickert
Douglas E. Hipp
John Wayne Nichols
Also present were President and CEO G. Keith Avery, Attorney Thomas Pope, III, Drew Davidson, VP of Engineering & Operations, Leann Hutto, VP of Human Resources, Stephanie Sullivan, VP of Operational Support, Arthur Guy, CFO, and Executive Assistant Tara Chapman. Trustee M. Blake Brigman attended the meeting via Webex.
President and CEO Avery introduced the new Vice President of Engineering and Operations, Drew Davidson, to the Board of Trustees. Mr. Davidson left the meeting following the introduction.
President and CEO Avery requested an executive session. Trustee Nichols moved to enter executive session. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition. After some discussion, a motion was made by Trustee Kesler to come out of executive session and return to regular session. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously. No actions or voting took place during the Executive Session. Mrs. Hutto, Mrs. Sullivan, and Mr. Guy left the meeting at this time.
The Board of Trustees requested that a Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees will need to be held in May. After some discussion, it was decided that the meeting will take place on May 12, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at Newberry Electric Cooperative, Inc.
The meeting continued with Chairman Dickert recognizing Trustee Bishop for earning her Directors Gold Certificate.
Attorney Pope conducted the election of officers by paper ballots. The following were elected by majority vote:
Chairman: Mr. Johnnie L. Dickert
Vice-Chairman: Mr. William B. Lominick, Sr.
Secretary/Treasurer: Mr. John W. Nichols
President and CEO Avery reviewed the cost, stats, and the number of registered members for the 2026 Annual Meeting. The district totals are as follows:
District I: 659 District II: 563 District III: 598
Grand Total: Registered Members 1,820
The Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes from the March 2026 Regular Board Meeting. Trustee Hipp moved to accept the minutes as emailed. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
Committee Chairman John W. Nichols reported that the Finance Committee convened for its regular meeting on Monday, April 20, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. The members of the committee are Trustees Johnnie L. Dickert, J. Craig Kesler, William Lominick, and John W. Nichols. All committee members were present, along with President and CEO Avery.
Chairman Nichols reported that the Finance Committee reviewed cash disbursements for March. All expenditures were found to be in order, and the committee presents this report for information. The board's consensus was to accept the report.
Attorney Pope stated that he did not need an Executive Session.
President and CEO Avery reviewed the meetings, events, and activities he participated in during the month, including meetings with the Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina.
President and CEO Avery reviewed the April 2026 operational data in detail. The amount of write-offs for March 2026 is $3,160.89. Trustee Hipp made a motion to accept this amount. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
President and CEO Avery reviewed the Engineering & Operations and Operational Support reports for the month. The Belfast substation power transformer is back in service. Integration of downline reclosers into the SCADA system is still underway.
President and CEO Avery went over the details of the upcoming NRECA Legislative Conference. Four Trustees confirmed that they will be attending the event.
President and CEO Avery discussed the Newberry County Hospital Friends of the Foundation Gala, which will be held in May 2026.
President and CEO Avery reviewed the details of the ECSC Summer Conference to be held in June 2026. Nine Trustees expressed interest in attending the event.
President and CEO Avery reviewed the details of the Trustee Association Conference scheduled for August 2026. Eight Trustees expressed interest in attending the event.
The Central Electric Power Cooperative Inc. Specially Called April 6, 2026 Board Meeting, April 8, 2026 G20 Meeting, April 13, 2026 M&ES Committee Meeting, April 13, 2026 FAR Committee Meeting, April 14, 2026 Power Committee, April 14, 2026, Engineering Committee Meeting, and the April 15, 2026, Executive Committee Meeting summaries were all accepted as information.
President and CEO Avery reviewed the invitation for the ECSC Training Center Groundbreaking Ceremony.
The next scheduled Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held on Monday, June 29, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. There being no further business and without objections, Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert adjourned the April 2026 Regular Board Meeting at 8:29 p.m.
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SECRETARY APPROVED
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CHAIRMAN