The Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Newberry Electric Cooperative, Inc. was held at Newberry Electric Cooperative, Inc., located in Newberry County, State of South Carolina, on Monday, December 29, 2025.
Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m., followed by Trustee James Craig Kesler’s 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
Douglas E. Hipp Melanie B. Hawkins William Lominick, Sr.
Johnnie L. Dickert John W. Nichols M. Blake Brigman
Also present were President and CEO G. Keith Avery, Attorney Thomas Pope, III, and Executive Assistant Tara Chapman.
The Board dispensed with the reading of the Member & Public Relations Committee Meeting Minutes. Trustee Hawkins made a motion to approve the minutes as emailed. The motion was seconded and approved without opposition.
The Board proceeded with the reading of the December 2025 Special Board Meeting Minutes. Trustee Hipp made a motion to approve the minutes as emailed. The motion was seconded and approved without opposition.
The Board proceeded with the reading of the November 2025 Regular Board Meeting Minutes. Trustee Hipp made a motion to approve the minutes as emailed. The motion was seconded and approved without opposition.
Committee Chairman John W. Nichols reported that the Finance Committee held its regular meeting on Tuesday, December 22, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. The committee members are Trustees Johnnie Dickert, Craig Kesler, William Lominick, and John Nichols. All were present along with President and CEO Avery.
Chairman Nichols reported that the Finance Committee reviewed the November 2025 cash disbursements. All expenditures were in order, and the committee presents this report for general information. The board's consensus was to accept the report.
Attorney Thomas H. Pope, III, stated that he did not have an Attorney Report.
President and CEO Avery reviewed the activities and meetings that he attended in the month. He also went over information regarding fiber cash flow.
President and CEO Avery reviewed the results of the ORS compensation and benefits compliance examination. ORS states that Newberry Electric Cooperative, Inc. is in compliance with the S.C. Code 33-49-615 and 33-49-630(A).
President and CEO Avery reviewed the November 2025 operational data in detail. The amount of write offs for November 2025 is $762.88. Trustee Brigman made a motion to accept this amount. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. The bad debt incurred from an accident write-off amount for November 2025 is $667.10. Trustee Hipp made a motion to accept this amount. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
President and CEO G. Keith Avery reviewed the Engineering & Operations and Operational Support reports for November 2025. Updates to the Survalent SCADA system are still being conducted. Installation and repairs are still underway on Highway 176.
President and CEO Avery reviewed the details of the NRECA Directors Conference, scheduled for January 2026. Six Trustees plan on attending the Conference.
President and CEO Avery reviewed the details of the PowerXchange conference scheduled for March 2026. Seven Trustees plan on attending the Conference.
President and CEO Avery informed the Trustees that the Nominating Committee and the Credentials & Election Committee for the 2026 Annual Meeting must be appointed. The 2026 Newberry Electric Cooperative’s Annual Meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from 12 noon to 7:00 pm, with the Business Meeting starting at 7:00 pm. As of now, there is no contested race. If there is a contested race, voting will take place on Tuesday, March 31, from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm at Mid Carolina High School in Prosperity, SC. A Nominating Committee needs to be appointed to make nominations for the election of trustees. Due to the conflict of interest, Trustees Brigman, Hawkins, and Bishop recused themselves from voting on the appointment of members to the Nominating Committee, as they are running for re-election. The Board's consensus was to appoint the following committee members: Mr. Paul T. Brown, Mr. Lee Shaw, Mr. Rick Farmer, Ms. Ann Lominick, Ms. Jennifer Moore, Mr. Randy Nobles, and Mr. Kevin Satterwhite. Executive Assistant Tara Chapman will check with the committee members to see if they can serve.
President and CEO Avery also reminded the Trustees that a Credentials and Election Committee needs to be appointed. Again, due to a conflict of interest, Trustees Brigman, Hawkins, and Bishop recused themselves from voting on the appointment of members to the Credentials and Election Committee because they are running for re-election. The Board's consensus was to appoint the following committee members: Mr. Robert N. Bannister, Ms. Annette Bledsoe, Ms. Penny L. Hamm, Mr. Anthony Matthews, Mr. George H. Piersol, and Mr. Carold Wicker. Executive Assistant Tara Chapman will check with the members of this committee to see if they are available to serve.
President and CEO Avery reviewed the December 10, 2025, Central Executive Committee Meeting Summary.
President and CEO Avery informed the Board that the Co-op Day at the State House will be held in February 2026. Seven Trustees are interested in attending the event.
President and CEO Avery informed that the NRECA Washington Legislative Rally will be held in April 2026. Seven Trustees expressed interest in attending.
President and CEO Avery reviewed a memo regarding the Central Annual Meeting and delegate certification. Trustee Kesler made a motion that Chairman Dickert, Trustees Nichols and Hipp, and President and CEO Avery will serve as delegates. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
President and CEO Avery informed the Board that a Special Board Meeting will need to be scheduled for the Staff to present the new Service Rules and Regulations. After some discussion, it was determined that the meeting will be held on January 20, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.
President and CEO Avery discussed with the Board a proposal to begin working with Attorney Pope to take the initial steps to establish a separate subsidiary Development Company. President and CEO Avery is requesting the Board's approval to initiate this process in January 2026. After some discussion, Trustee Brigman made a motion to approve this request. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
The next regular Board Meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 26, 2026.
There being no further business and without objections, Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert adjourned the November Regular Board Meeting at 8:23 pm.
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SECRETARY APPROVED
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CHAIRMAN