The first community gathering in the newly-reconstructed pavilion at Jim Hogg City Park in Quitman was held Friday afternoon.

Wood County Electric Co-op (WCEC) welcomed more than 275 members.

Prior to the meeting the crowd enjoyed a lively concert featuring Low D and his Jam Band.

Members were updated by WCEC GM and CEO, Trey Teaff, who spoke about the co-op’s strategic direction.

Teaff said, “As a cooperative and a good neighbor, our mission has grown to be much more than just existing to provide electricity. Our new mission statement embraces the cooperative difference, which is to be a good steward as well as a good neighbor.”

He spoke about five focus areas the co-op is actively enhancing within the framework of a strategic plan, including employee retention and culture, member engagement, rates, safety and the unprecedented growth of the co-op.

“Enhancing service to our members and our community is embedded in each one of these areas and we are always striving to improve,” he said. 

Cathy Roberts, WCEC board president, opened the business portion of the meeting. She announced that the board has retired $1.7 million in capital credits, which will be credited to members’ accounts in December. She also relayed that because the director’s election was uncontested, there was no need to hold an election. 

Incumbents and sole candidates, Kenneth Langley, District 3, and Freddie Jones, District 7 were re-elected. 

Once the business meeting closed, members were treated to an extensive prize drawing of items donated by WCEC’s generous vendors. The winner of the grand prize, a $500 VISA gift card, was Bailea McGregor of Yantis.