MY CO-OP IS
notes from the chair
Showing Up
By Lowell Hobbs, President, East Central Electric Cooperative Board of Trustees
Our annual meeting requires a quorum to conduct business such as election of directors. As the closing time for voting drew near, we were closely monitoring the total count, and with only single digit minutes left the required number was registered in, so the total number was sufficient. We had 8 candidates vying for 3 board seats. Strangely the votes cast were relatively close for each candidate. Clark Whitaker had the most votes in District 1. James Allred won in District 3, and incumbent Jim Hall was the winner in District 6. There were no landslide victories. The 2 new board members will be welcomed at the July Board meeting, and we will get down to business.
In last month’s article I wrote about the importance of the cell phone in our lives. When TV first came along, people said it would ruin the lives of many. I don’t remember any one saying negative things about the cell phone, but in my opinion it damages more relationships than TV. Television only distracted when you were mostly sitting at home. The cell phone distracts you wherever you are...at home, in the car, at the office, cafe, church, etc. I think it’s very rude to talk on the phone when you have the company of a real live person.
During my high school days a lady and her husband owned a farm and a commercial business. She ran it all. We used to talk about the good deal
Clark Whitaker, District 1
Lowell Hobbs, District 2
James Allred, District 3
Michael Vernnon, District 4
Jay Emerson, District 5
Jim Hall, District 6
Dwight Luther, District 7
To learn more about your elected trustees, or to view a district map, please visit ecoec.com.
To contact your trustee, please call 918-756-0833.
he had she ran the business and the cattle operation. She was fond of me and trusted me to groom and show her fine shorthorn cattle at the county and state fairs. That put me in a position to be familiar with her and her husband. He grew tired of her management and filed for divorce. Those of us who knew how little he provided to the marriage, laughed openly about what we predicted would happen. Strangely the judge ruled for her to pay him alimony and continue living at home with no mention of him providing any of the living expenses Go figure.
Lowell Hobbs represents ECE District 2. To reach him, please call his cellphone at 918-695-5289.
Thank You Annual Meeting Sponsors
Whitaker, Allred Win Board Seats
Despite a slow and rain-soaked start to Annual Meeting on June 24, East Central Electric Cooperative Members turned out to exercise their vote in the cooperative’s future.
The 5% of membership required to meet quorum and conduct business was achieved with 1,376 members registered between the drive-thru and in-person events.
Incumbent Jim Hall retained his seat representing District 6. James Allred of Morris won the open seat for District 3 and Clark Whitaker of Twin Hills won the open seat for District 1.
Allred is a financial advisor with Edward Jones and a rancher.
“Formerly I ran a construction company that specialized in concrete structures such as saferooms, slabs, and foundations. I have a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and an associates degree in surveying, and I currently work in the finance industry with licenses and registration on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and NASDAQ.”
Allred has served on the Morris Public Schools Board; the FSA Board; as the Muscogee (Creek) Nation NRCS Commissioner; as the Oklahoma Association of Conservation District (OACD) District 3 Representative, and on the Okmulgee County Cattleman’s Association.
“As demand for power increases and our community continues to grow and technology increases, I believe that it is important that we are able to prepare for the future by continuing to keep up with trends that are appropriate for our community,” Allred said, regarding his vision for the future of the Cooperative. “With this in mind, ECE will need to be able to keep pace while continuing to provide the excellent service that their community has grown accustomed to.”
Whitaker is a retired journeyman lineman and business owner.
“Having worked in line work since 1983, I understand the importance of affordable, dependable service, safety, and decision-making,” Whitaker said. “I want to use my experience to help support the cooperative, represent the members fairly, and make decisions that benefit the future of the communities we serve.”
“As technology changes and demands increase, I believe ECE can invest in dependable electric service, maintain good safety standards, and provide excellent member service. ECE should continue to focus on decisions that protect reliability while planning for future growth with solar, wind, and renewable energy,” Whitaker said.
Hall thanked members for their vote of confidence in allowing him to continue to serve as the board member for District 6.
Election Results
District 1:
Clark Whitaker - 658 Votes
Craig Alpers - 433 votes
District 3:
James Allred - 362
John Porter - 298
Adam Hamilton - 241
Jeremy Wade - 222
District 6:
Jim Hall - 680
Steve Emerson - 442
“I have always been an advocate for rural Oklahoma, it’s where I am from. I still live on the same farm that I grew up on and am also a second generation East Central member. The rural electric cooperative story inspired me to get on the board 11 years ago. I worked diligently to put our members first ever since.”
The first board meeting for the newly elected members was July 24, 2026.
DISTRICT 1 CANDIDATES CLARK WHITAKER, LEFT, AND CRAIG ALPERS, RIGHT, POSE WITH NRECA MASCOT WILLIE WIREDHAND.
DISTRICT 3 BOARD MEMBER JAMES ALLRED (LEFT) AND DISTRICT 6 BOARD MEMBER JIM HALL(RIGHT) ALSO POSE WITH WILLIE WIREDHAND.
Annual Meeting Prize Winners
Thank you for participating in your 2026 Annual Meeting.
Congratulations to our prize winners!
Grand Prize $1,000:
Jason Steele, Eufaula
$500:
Nathan Whitlock, Okmulgee
Delana Carter, Bristow
One Year of 1GB ecoLINK:
Tiffany Lee, Morris
Joe May, Boynton
Glenda Dixon, Morris
Three Months of 1GB ecoLINK:
Don Long, Council Hill
Kyle Brannon, Mounds
Jimmy Moore, Depew
Helen Maine, Boynton
One Month of 1GB ecoLINK:
Kenny Charles, Mounds
Trisha Bailey, Morris
Bill Tanner, Okemah
Mara Lewis, Beggs
Jay Price, Muskogee
Ronald Root, Kellyville
Carrie Stephenson, Okmulgee
Allene Starr, Okmulgee
Keith Russell, Okemah
Casey Davidson, Bristow
$100:
Henderson Truss Co., Eufaula
Samantha Petersen, Okmulgee
William Syme, Eufaula
Jody Phillips, Mounds
Virgil Smith, Okmulgee
Paul Pryor, Morris
Zach Ledbetter, Morris
Sheila Chambers, Muskogee
P&I Oil & Gas LLC, Okemah
Tammy Fisher, Henryetta
Tom Hoggatt, Beggs
Justin Nix, Glenpool
Jennifer Hughes, Muskogee
Ron Casselman, Morris
Sylvia Sterling, Muskogee
Bret Green, Morris
Bob Finley, Morris
Fred Davis, Henryetta
Bob Blackley, Beggs
June Williams, Henryetta
Katherine Willie, Morris
Bobby Cossey, Morris
Jeff Showalter, Mounds
Cornerstone Solutions LTD, Okemah
Lu Stobaugh, Muskogee
Dallas Ewton, Morris
Steve Ward, Morris
Jerry House, Henryetta
Dylan Harris, Oktaha
Jennifer Morgan, Bristow
Kathy Goodwin, Kellyville
Tony Wright, Henryetta
Mark Madlock, Okemah
Jennifer Hopson, Okmulgee
Jazete Adams, Okemah
Kerry Sheffer, Eufaula
Little Cussetah Church, Okmulgee
Brandon Flager, Checotah
Steve Shrum, Council Hill
Dean Jones, Depew
Danny Potter, Okmulgee
Terry Witham, Okemah
Roger Ennis, Schulter
Timothy Williams, Henryetta
Scott Fetgatter, Okmulgee
Tommy Sandridge, Morris
John Alley, Muskogee
Dayna Crawford, Depew
Larry Goodwin, Kellyville
Joseph Menninger, Bixby
Peggy Weatherly,Glenpool
Sheila Russell, Morris
Charles Baxter, Beggs
Michael Pennington, Beggs
Clark Story, Okmulgee
Janet Wallace, Henryetta
Vonna Lampkins, Beggs
Tim Kirk, Morris
Janna Morgan, Haskell
Dale Buttram, Mounds
$100 Stay to Win Bill Credit: Terry Russell Jr., Kellyville
Daniel Young, Kellyville
Cool Car Contest $50 Bill Credit: Bryan Ward, Morris
Recipe Contest $25 Bill Credit:
Erin Neal, Haskell
Recipe: Chicken Tamale Casserole
Get it in the 2028
Member Cookbook
MY CO-OP IS ... 2025 Annual Report
Serving Our Members and Communities
Co-op Stats
Miles of Electric Line
Dear ECE Member,
As you look through this annual report, you’ll see a simple phrase repeated throughout: “My Co-op Is...” followed by the words of the people who own this cooperative you.
Some members said their co-op is reliable. Others said trying to improve rural living and quick to respond to outages.
Miles of Fiber Line
Total Employees
Total Miles Driven 6,465 4,682 103 13,040 1,054,681
Those words remind us of something important: this cooperative belongs to all of us.
Unlike most businesses, an electric cooperative isn’t owned by investors in a distant office. It’s owned by the people who use the services every day. That’s what makes the cooperative special. That’s what makes it work.
Shared ownership also means shared responsibility. A cooperative works best when each member plays a role in the success of the whole. That might mean voting in board elections, attending meetings, sharing feedback, or simply staying engaged with the cooperative on your own.
Total overtime hours worked by employees
In order to become a journeyman lineman, East Central Electric Cooperative requires apprentices to go through four years of on-thejob training and continuing education. The safety of our employees is our highest priority, because without that, we couldn’t effectively serve you, our members.
Ownership is powerful, but it isn’t always easy. When members take that role seriously, the cooperative becomes stronger, more accountable, and more responsive to the needs of the community.
This past year gave us a strong reminder of what’s possible when a cooperative works well. Your cooperative earned a Top-5 American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) score among electric cooperatives nationwide, a recognition that reflects the dedication of our employees and the trust of the members we serve.
But awards alone aren’t what make a cooperative successful. The real strength of a cooperative is an engaged membership that takes pride in the organization it owns.
So as you read through the stories and voices in this report, we encourage you to think about what “My Co-op Is…” means to you. The future of this cooperative depends on something simple, but powerful: members who stay involved, stay informed, and take ownership of their part in the whole.
Your co-op works best when you take part in it.
Thank you for being a member-owner of your cooperative.
Dwayne Elam Chief Executive Officer
Lowell Hobbs Board President
Community Impact
Youth Power
Our co-op is a launchpad for the next generation. Through youth leadership opportunities, scholarships, and handson learning programs, we invest in young people today so they can power stronger communities tomorrow.
16,233 students reached via Safety & Youth Programs
Give-A-Watt
4 Students Sent to Youth Tour in Washington D.C.
4 Students Sent to Energy Camp in Oklahoma
$12,751.41 Youth & Agriculture Program Sponsorships
Our co-op is neighbors helping neighbors. During the Christmas season, members quietly lend a hand by donating to help fellow members keep the lights on when times get tough—proving that the power of community goes far beyond electricity.
∞$4,249 raised in 2025 ∞Helped 83 members pay their electric bill
Energy Efficiency
Our co-op is trusted guidance in energy saving solutions. Programs and services like free home energy audits and rebates for efficiency upgrades encourage members to use less and save more.
∞$24,270.44 awarded in rebates ∞Provided energy saver guidance to 139 members
Operation Round Up
Our co-op is the place where small change makes a big difference. As members round up the change at the end of their electric bill to the next whole dollar, members who comprise the Operation Round Up Board carefully and dutifully reinvest that change to serve the needs of our members and communities.
∞$270,953.47 granted in 2025
∞48¢ average member monthly contribution
∞39 $1,000 house fire grantees
∞20 $1,000 scholarship recipients
∞$2,945,942 granted since 2006
Paradise Point Volunteer Fire Department was one of 113 grant recipients, using funds to purchase muchneeded equipment.
Cooperative Financials
The books and financial statements of East Central Oklahoma Electric Cooperative, Inc. are audited each year as of December 31. An audit for the year ended December 31, 2025, has been completed by the firm of Briscoe, Burke & Grigsby LLP, Certified Public Accountants, Tulsa, OK.
The Comparative Financial Statements shown here are for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2025. East Central Electric’s balance sheet reflects 9.86% increase in assets. Membership fees decreased by 0.19% and Capital Credits and Other Equities increased by 4.94% from 2024, which gave our members an equity level of 24.66%.
Operating Report:
Electric Sales
Less Cost of Purchased Power
Net Sales
Operating Expenses
Interest on Debt
Depreciation
Total Expenses
Net Income from Electric Sales
Allocations from Suppliers
Total Margins and Capital Credits
Net Income from Electric Sales 2025
Net Income from Electric Sales represents cash that can be reinvested into the maintenance of the grid to build reliability as well as allocated and returned to members as capital credits.
$3,752,557
Allocations from Suppliers 2025
Capital credit allocations represent non-cash allocations assigned to East Central Electric Cooperative from other cooperatively-owned businesses of which we are a member. This includes our power generation and transmission providers KAMO Power and Western Farmers Electric Cooperative, among others. This is the allocation amount that is tracked based on the margins of those businesses, but is not returned as cash to the cooperative.
$4,021,421
“My co-op is important to me because we have a board who fights for us to keep our rates as low as possible. Especially matters as we as senior citizens are living on a budget. If you as a board didn’t consider all the pros and cons, a lot of us seniors would be looking for parttime jobs. Thank you!”
- Vonna Lampkins Members of 54 Years
As a member-owned organization, our Annual Meeting is the best way to stay involved and exercise your voice and your vote in the operations of the Cooperative. We encourage all members to attend, meet their board members, and stay connected to Cooperative updates year round by reading the Oklahoma Living Magazine.
“My co-op is informative. They let you know if they’re in your neighborhood for repairs. Quick to respond to outages. They’re the best!”
- Marc and Deborah Prisinzano Members
of 22 Years
5.8 13.19
99.92% 2.97
Where the Dollar Goes
115,495
2,431,177 17,468 2,840
Your Cooperative Owns:
Electric Plant
Less Depreciation
Net Utility Plant
Cash and Investments
Patronage Capital Assoc. Organization
CFC Investment Certificates
Accounts Receivable
Other Assets
Total Assets
Your Cooperative Owes:
Long Term Debt (RUS)
Long Term Debt (CFC)
Long Term Debt (FFB)
Long Term Debt (CoBank)
Consumer Deposits
Other Liabilities
Total Liabilities
$419,033,717
74,127,287
344,906,430 5,048,600
43,602,182 1,216,275 9,597,159
23,852,295
$428,222,941
$12,651,821
219,940,458 407,730 4,039,613 85,589,580
$322,629,202
Independent Auditor’s Opinion:
“We have audited the consolidated financial statements of East Central Oklahoma Electric Cooperative, Inc. and Subsidiary, which comprise the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, and the related consolidated statements of revenue and patronage capital, comprehensive income, and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes to the consolidated financial statements.
“In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of East Central Oklahoma Electric Cooperative, Inc. and Subsidiary as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.”
Everything your co-op owns is funded by plus Member equity represents the portion of the cooperative $428.2 Million in Assets
$322.6 Million in Liabilities
$105.6 Million in Member Equity
$1,062,329 Returned in 2025 as Capital Credits
$33,376,966
The Board of Trustees reviewed and approved the annual financial audit report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. The independent auditors, Briscoe, Burke, & Grigsby LLP, presented their findings and issued an unqualified audit opinion. This is the highest level of assurance an auditor can provide and indicates that the financial statements are presented fairly, in all material respects, and comply with required accounting standards.
“My co-op is great. They are always trying to improve rural living. Years ago with big satellite dishes to now, fast internet. Thanks.”
- David & Debbie Steele Members of 46 Years
Purchased power, carried along the large transmission lines pictured, is the single largest expense East Central Electric Cooperative has each month. The power we supply to our members is generated and transmitted to our Cooperative by
KAMO Power in Vinita, Oklahoma, and Western Farmers Electric Cooperative in Anadarko, Oklahoma.
“My co-op is very dependable. Especially when you’ve got to call or the electric is off. They are right on point. My co-op is also, with Operation Round Up, a hand extended to those that are in need. It is an amazing co-op.”
- Faye Alexander
Members of 40 Years
East Central Electric Cooperative employees volunteered their time in 2025 to attend Special Olympics; participate in Christmas present programs with Henryetta Lions Club, the Oklahoma Home Builders Association, and Bristow Social Services; ring bells for the Salvation Army (pictured); and raise money for international electrification at Shoot for the Nations.
2025 was the final full year of board service for Trustees Max Shoemake and Larry Harvey. Mr. Shoemake retired from the board with 23 years of service and Mr. Harvey retired with 18. They both attended their final board meeting on June 19, 2026.
“My co-op is an electric and internet provider you can rely on.”
“My co-op is reliable and affordable.”
Lowell Hobbs, Board District 2 President
“My cooperative is a challenge and an interesting part of my life.”
Dwight Luther, Board District 7
Secretary/Treasurer
“My co-op is a member-owned partnership focused on reliable power, strong communities, and serving people over profit.”
Jim Hall, Board District 6
Asst. Secretary/Treasurer
“My co-op is the best group of friends and neighbors I’ve ever had the honor of working for!”
- Max Shoemake, Board District 3
- Larry Harvey, Board District 1
Mike Vernnon, Board District 4 Member
“My cooperative is built on a legacy of trust and commitment to serve.”
Jay Emerson, Board District 5 Member
“My co-op has been a big part of my life. The people inside are extremely kind, unselfish people. I don’t think you can find any better.”
“My co-op is East Central. Been with the coop 49 years. Wow, what a great electric coop. Was a volunteer fire fighter with Brushy Mountain Fire Department. They came out and gave a safety program to our station. Best co-op ever.”
- Mark Carson Members of 49 Years
