2025 Annual Meeting
Garrett, Snyder Chosen for New Terms on SAEC’s Board
Along with the yearly financial report, South Alabama Electric Cooperative (SAEC) announced the results of its 2025 elections — which returned 2 current trustees to the board — during its annual meeting held on October 28 at the cooperative’s office in Troy.
In his remarks, SAEC General Manager David Bailey emphasized the importance of the distribution cooperative being prepared to respond in crisis events, such as a tornado that ripped through the service territory earlier this year, taking down utility poles and electrical lines.
“Your cooperative must be prepared to respond with employees to repair the damage and financially to pay for that damage,” Bailey said.
Operating revenues increased $3,600,000 during the 2024-25 budget year ending March 31, while operating expenses increased $2,700,000 over the previous year, mainly due to wholesale power costs. The cooperative ended the fiscal year with net margins of more than $4,100,000.
SAEC gets 57% of its electricity sales from residential members, 33% from large commercial members and 10% from small commercial members. The continued increase in large commercial members has positively impacted the cooperative, Bailey said.
Wholesale power accounts for 65% of SAEC’s expenses. Another 21% goes to the cooperative’s operations.
Bailey announced that trustees voted to retire $1,200,000 in capital credits during 2025, which will be refunded to members in December. Since 1984, SAEC has retired and refunded more than $20,000,000 in capital credits.
“Your cooperative is in good financial condition and is prepared to serve your electric needs,” Bailey reported to members.
Members cast a total of 2,863 ballots in the 2025 election for the District 1 and 2 seats on the SAEC Board of Trustees.
For the District 1 seat, incumbent Johnny Garrett was nominated along with Steve Thrash, of the Shiloh community.
Incumbent Bart Snyder and Chris Wilkes, of the Rodgers community, were nominated for District 2. Members voted in favor of Garrett and Snyder serving on the board for another 3 years.
District 1
District 1 Johnny Garrett has served on the board for 5 years. A Pike County native, Garrett attended Pike County High School and Troy University. He retired after 35 years as owner of the Piggly Wiggly locations in Brundidge and Troy.
Garrett is a member of the Pike County Cattlemen’s Association and serves as treasurer.
He and his wife, Patricia, live in the Pronto community in Pike County. Garrett attends Brundidge United Methodist Church, where he serves as a trustee and president of the church council.
District 2
Bart Snyder has served on the board for 2 years. He attended Goshen High School and earned a master’s degree in educational administration and a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Troy University.
Retired from the Pike County School System, Snyder taught and coached for 34 years.
Snyder has received his Board Leadership Certificate and Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
He and his wife, Stephanie, live in Goshen. Snyder is a member of the Little Oak Methodist Church.