General Manager’s Message – October 2025

Leaping Into Fall

October is a wonderful month. It’s a time when we may have some hot weather, but by the end, it is usually beginning to feel a lot like fall.

Farmers are gathering their crops of cotton, peanuts, and corn. And there are many outdoor activities, from hunting to high school football. For the college game in our great state, we’re fortunate to have the University of Alabama, Auburn — War Eagle for those of you who are fans — and Troy University playing great football throughout October. Best of all, October is my anniversary month, so happy anniversary, Nelda!

Also, October is what we electric cooperatives call a shoulder month. What does that mean? For our members, it means your power bill is usually not as high. As temperatures start to cool, your air conditioning doesn’t work as hard to keep your home comfortable.

This is also the month when South Alabama Electric Cooperative holds its annual meeting. By now, you should have received your meeting package with the annual report and voting instructions for trustees in districts 1 and 2. These trustees are voted on by the members, and the winner will serve as your representative to the co-op for the next 3 years.

1 of the 7 principles of a cooperative is Democratic Member Control. What does that mean? As a member of South Alabama Electric Cooperative, you can exercise that principle by voting for your trustee of choice. The trustees are elected among the membership and are accountable to the members. The members have equal voting rights — 1 member, 1 vote. If that isn’t reason enough to vote, you can even lower your power bill simply by filling out the ballot. The process is very quick, and you will get a $20 bill credit.

So, take the time to complete your ballot — make sure to add your email and cellphone numbers — and exercise your voice by voting for the trustee you wish to serve you.

I also hope you will take a few minutes to look over the annual report. With costs continuing to climb, as they seem to have done everywhere over the past few years, I am happy to say the cost of your electric service from SAEC has not changed in over 2 years. That is a great accomplishment, and I would like to give a shout-out to all our employees who help manage the costs of running your co-op in a financially responsible manner.

I would also like to express the same appreciation to the current board of trustees. We recently said goodbye to board member Douglas Green, who represented District 6 for over 40 years. Everything is always changing. As I was sad to lose a man who truly believed in me, the trustees changed, too. This change made way for David Lowery from South Crenshaw County. We are excited and honored to welcome Mr. Lowery, who has had a long career as a football coach and educator in the public school system, most recently in Brantley.

So, if you see Mr. Lowery, congratulate him and let him know how much you appreciate his service to our cooperative. I am confident he will serve the members in a way that will make us all proud.

Finally, you may have noticed that I gave a “War Eagle” earlier in my column. That was a shoutout for all our members who pull for the Tigers. But as a graduate of Troy University, back when it was Troy State University, I always have to leave room to say, “Go Trojans!” And as a huge Alabama football fan, you know I had to squeeze in a “Roll Tide!”

Until next month, enjoy a beautiful October as we leap into the fall of the year.