March - April 2026 TCEC Rural Living Newsletter

Rural Living

March & April 2026

Board of Trustees

TCEC Staff

Julius Hackett, Chief Executive Officer

Jeff Brewer, Vice President of Engineering

Eileen Herndon, Vice President of Corporate Services

John Tuten, Vice President of Operations

Wendell Williams, Vice President of Finance

Tri-County Electric Cooperative Rural Living, the voice of your member-owned electric cooperative, is published bimonthly — more if necessary — at no subscription cost to the membership. The publication team is comprised of TCEC employees. Postage is paid at Tallahassee, Fla.

Publication Team

Julius Hackett, Chief Executive Officer

Eileen Herndon, Vice President of Corporate Services

Kaitlynn Culpepper, Community Relations Director

Publisher Joanna Forrester

Printed on Responsibly

Tri-County Electric Cooperative 2862 West US 90 Madison, FL 32340 www.tcec.com 1-800-999-2285

2026 POLICY PRIORITIES FOR ELECTRIC

American families and businesses count on reliable electricity at a price they can afford. But with the demand for power continuing to climb and the supply of always-available power sources at risk, smart energy policies are more important than ever.

At Tri-County Electric Cooperative (TCEC), our job goes beyond keeping the lights on day to day. We are responsible for advocating on behalf of our members in Washington, D.C., to make sure decisions being made at the federal level protect reliable, affordable power in our local communities.

As we head into 2026, America’s electric cooperatives are focused on a few key issues that directly impact our members:

• Faster Disaster Recovery: We support the bi-partisan FEMA Act of 2025. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is a critical partner in helping electric co-ops restore power and rebuild their systems in the wake of natural disasters, but it could be more effective and responsive to the needs of rural America. If the FEMA Act passes, it will help utilities restore power more quickly after storms and disasters—while keeping costs lower for rural families and businesses.

• Cutting Through Red Tape: Outdated and overly complex permitting rules slow down essential upgrades to power lines and substations. Streamlining these processes helps us keep up with growing demand and improve reliability. We’re urging Congress to pass comprehensive permitting reforms, including the SPEED Act and PERMIT Act, both of which cleared the House in December.

• Keeping Reliable Power Plants Online: We’re advocating for realistic energy regulations that don’t force dependable power plants to shut down before reliable replacements are ready. Mandating emissions limits based on unavailable technology would force critical power plants off the grid and restrict the operation of new natural gas plants.

• Protecting Critical Hydropower: Hydroelectric dams play a key role in keeping electricity reliable and affordable across multiple states. Removing them would raise costs and threaten reliability, which is why we support preserving them.

• Smarter Land Management Policies: We’re advocating for smarter land-management policies like the Fix Our Forests Act that would allow electric cooperatives to better maintain power lines on public lands and mitigate wildfire risk.

• Maintaining Funding for Grid Innovation and Investments: Federal loan and grant programs help co-ops strengthen the grid, prepare for extreme weather, improve cybersecurity and explore new energy technologies—without shifting costs to members.

While you may not consider it on a daily basis, electricity is essential and underpins nearly every aspect of modern life. Understanding today’s evolving energy landscape is important as it shapes how electricity is produced, delivered and consumed. Advocating on behalf of TCEC’s members is a critical part of our commitment to you. These policy priorities all come back to the same goal: making sure our members have safe, reliable and affordable power—now and in the future.

FEMA Reimbursement Update: Following damage to our electric system caused by Hurricanes Idalia, Debby, and Helene, as well as the 2024 Mother’s Day Tornado, we continue to await reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for eligible expenses. To date, storm-related repair costs total approximately $127.2 million. Of that amount, we have received $34.3 million in FEMA reimbursements, leaving approximately $92.9 million in restoration expenses completed and paid for in 2023 and 2024 still outstanding. These unreimbursed costs represent a significant financial commitment already made to restore service safely and reliably for our customers. We remain actively engaged with FEMA and our state partners to secure reimbursement as quickly as possible and remain committed to managing these costs while maintaining the financial strength and operational reliability our customers depend on.

Board Meetings

The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc. will be held the second Monday of each month at 3:00 p.m. in the central office building of the Cooperative located at 2862 West US 90, approximately two miles west of the City of Madison.

YOUTH TOUR 2026

L-R - Riley Young, Macy Fletcher, Maggie Walker, Ke’Andre Dobson, and Jacob Saltares

Tri-County Electric Cooperative sponsors several juniors from area high schools to attend the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour in Washington, DC each year. The Youth Tour is more than an all-expense paid trip to the nation’s capital to sight-see. It is a prestigious event in which thousands of high school juniors from across the nation join together to gain an understanding of our nation’s history and the freedoms we enjoy, as well as the many costs of those freedoms. The experience is rewarding, educational, and fun! Students will tour memorials, museums, and national landmarks that they may have only read about in history books. We believe by investing in today’s youth, we are investing in our, and your, future. We know that some of the brightest and best students live right here in North Florida, and we want to give them an opportunity to experience the past, present, and future of our country. For many students, it will inspire a future in government or political science or your local cooperatives.

TCEC had the distinct pleasure of taking our 2026 Youth Tour applicants on a two-day learning experience in Tallahassee. These five outstanding students are working toward the opportunity to represent our cooperative at the 2026 Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. this summer.

Their experience began with individual interviews and a tour of TCEC headquarters before heading to the Capitol. Over the next two days, students visited the Challenger Learning Center, explored Florida’s Historic Capitol, and gained an in-depth look at the day-to-day operations of our state government.

One of the highlights of the trip was participating in a mock legislative session inside the Florida Senate, where students had the honor of hearing directly from Senate President Ben Albritton. They also engaged with several legislators and staff members, gaining valuable insight into public service.

TCEC is sincerely grateful to everyone who took time to meet with the group, including:

Rep. Jennifer Canady

Rep. Shane Abbott

Jason Carter (Legislative Aide, Rep. Chuck Brannan’s Office)

Cody Farrill (Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff)

Rep. Nathan Boyles

Rep. J.J. Grow

Rep. Allison Tant

Rep. Taylor Michael Yarkosky

Allison Tant with the 2026 Youth Tour Delegates

Of course, the trip wasn’t all business—students also enjoyed bowling, laser tag, snacks, and plenty of laughs, making the experience both memorable and meaningful.

Following the trip, students patiently waited to hear who would be chosen to attend the 2026 Youth Tour in Washington D.C. The decision was easy, “lets take all five”.

5 Years of Service

Katie Oakes – Member Service Representative

Congratulations to the 2026 TCEC Youth Tour Delegates: Riley Young, Macy Fletcher, Maggie Walker, Ke’Andre Dobson, and Jacob Saltares.

Trey Killingsworth – Lineman (Not Pictured)

Lineworkers are Ready When it Matters Most

Not many people have the unique privilege of seeing firsthand what it truly takes to keep the lights on for our members. In April, we take time to pause and recognize the brave men and women who make that possible every single day—our lineworkers. When storms impact our communities and outages occur, many people experience the inconvenience, but our lineworkers see a call to action. Our crews are always ready when it matters most—leaving family dinners, working through the night and heading into challenging conditions to restore power as safely and quickly as possible. That readiness is not accidental. It comes from rigorous training, deep experience and a shared commitment to serving others.

What makes lineworkers especially remarkable is that they aren’t just restoring power to a system—they’re restoring power to their own communities. They live here. They raise their families here. They understand that electricity is more than a convenience; it’s essential to daily life, to local businesses, to schools, farms and emergency services. Powering the places we call home is personal to lineworkers. Electric cooperatives like TCEC were built on the principle of neighbors helping neighbors, and our lineworkers embody that spirit every day. They are the first to respond and the last to leave, often working long hours behind the scenes. At times, serving our neighbors means going beyond our own service territory through a process known as mutual aid. During major outage events, TCEC crews stand ready to assist neighboring co-ops––sometimes close to home, and sometimes across state lines––to help restore power. This spirit of mutual aid strengthens all cooperatives and ultimately benefits the members we serve.

We understand any time the lights go out can be frustrating, bringing everyday life to a halt. We are incredibly grateful to our members for your patience and encouragement during these times. Linework is demanding, physical, and at times, it can be dangerous. Our crews approach each job with a focus on safety and teamwork. They take pride in their craft and in the trust our members place in them.

On April 18, 2026, we will celebrate Lineworker Appreciation Day, but one day is hardly enough. Every day, we thank lineworkers for their service and dedication, which are the backbone of our cooperative. To our lineworkers: thank you for your hard work, your readiness and your unwavering commitment to the communities we serve. We are proud to stand behind you and grateful for all that you do.

Capital Credits: TCEC Refunds $434,561

TCEC Board of Trustees voted to refund $434,561 to TCEC members in Capital Credits in December 2025. More than 6,020 refunds were issued. Active account holders due less than $50 received a credit on their December 2025 electric bill, and those due $50 or more, received a check. This year’s Capital Credit refund represents 20% of our members’ Capital Credit accounts from 1996.

Refunds are based on the amount of electricity each member purchased that year, so refund amounts vary in proportion to the amount of electricity each member used during 1996. As a not-for-profit cooperative electric utility, TCEC allocates its margins (the revenues earned in excess of the cost of doing business) to its members in the form of Capital Credits. Since December, more than 174 of those checks have been returned by the post office because of incorrect address information.

TCEC wants to make every effort to return this money to its rightful owners. We have listed names of members whose check were undeliverable. Maybe you received your check in the wrong name, or the name of a deceased member? If you recognize a name and can provide an up-to-date address, please call us at 800.999.2285 or visit our website at www.tcec.com/capital-credits.

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ALDERMAN, IVEY A.

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BARNES, GERALD L.

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BECKER, THOMAS S.

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BENDL, BRUCE J.

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BISHOP, IRIS S.

BOWERS, KEVIN

BRACEWELL, ALICE B.

BRASWELL, TEDDY

BRAY JR., HARVEY L.

BROOKS, GLENN

BROWDER, SHIRLEY J.

BROYLES, JEANETTE L.

BROWN, DIANE C.

BUTCHER, MELISSA J.

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CAMPBELL, DORIS A.

CANNON, JR., JESSIE W.

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HARROD, ALEC

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HORNSBY, BECKY E.

HUMMEL, MIKE D. HYSMITH, CECIL

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Celebrating Remarkable Years of Service

On January 30, 2026, we celebrated the retirement of an extraordinary employee whose impact on our cooperative will be felt for years to come. After 46 years of dedicated service, Carol Timmons officially began her well-earned retirement — leaving behind a legacy of commitment, leadership, and heart.

Carol holds a distinction few can claim: she was employed longer than any current employee in our company’s history. Her decades of experience and deep institutional knowledge have been invaluable to the success and stability of our office operations. Throughout her career, Carol served in multiple departments, including Member Services and Finance, before becoming our Accounts Receivable Supervisor — a role she held for many years with excellence. She brought with her not only technical expertise, but also a remarkable understanding of how every piece of our organization works together. Her insight helped guide decisions, improve processes, and ensure our members were always well served.

Affectionately nicknamed “The Wizard” by her coworkers, Carol had a unique ability to untangle even the most complex issues. If there was an answer to be found, she would find it. More importantly, she never kept that knowledge to herself. She mentored others generously, always making time to teach, guide, and support. Her door — and her mind — were always open. Carol’s dedication extended far beyond her job description. She faithfully chaired our Relay for Life initiative for many years, helping lead one of our most successful and meaningful community efforts. Her leadership made a lasting difference not only within our company, but in the lives of many in our community.

While Carol took her responsibilities seriously, she was equally known for her fun-loving and thoughtful spirit. She surprised coworkers with the smell of freshly baked breakfast treats on early

mornings and was often the first to volunteer to help celebrate special milestones. She cared deeply for her coworkers, creating a workplace that felt like family.

Originally planning to retire in early 2025, Carol once again demonstrated her unwavering commitment when our cooperative faced the challenges of two hurricanes in 2024 — all while preparing for a major billing and member information software conversion. When asked if she would consider postponing her retirement to help guide the transition, she graciously agreed, extending her career by a full year to ensure the co-op’s continued success. Her role in the software migration was instrumental. She applied her extensive knowledge of the legacy billing system to help establish the new platform, quickly mastering its features and thoughtfully training her successor. This final act of leadership perfectly reflects the dedication she has shown throughout her entire career.

That commitment is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Carol’s contributions over the past 46 years.

Beyond the office, Carol is a loving mother and proud grandmother and wonderful friend to many. In retirement, she looks forward to enjoying slower mornings without an alarm clock and spending more time working in her yard. Knowing Carol, we fully expect to see her home earning “Yard of the Month” in the near future! We are deeply grateful for the legacy she leaves behind — one built on knowledge, integrity, generosity, and heart. While she will be greatly missed, her influence will continue to guide our team for many years to come.

Please join us in wishing Carol a long, happy, and well-deserved retirement.

Welcome Wyatt and Jackson to the Team

Tri-County Electric Cooperative is pleased to welcome Wyatt Russell & Jackson Ward, who joined our team in January 2026 as Lineman Trainees.

Wyatt lives in Perry, Florida with his wife, Logan, and their daughter, Drew. Their family is excitedly preparing to welcome a baby boy soon.

Wyatt earned his Associate of Arts degree from North Florida Community College and has spent much of his life working around heavy equipment. His interest in line work began early on, and he knew TCEC was the right place to build a meaningful career.

“I’ve always seen Tri-County supporting the community in so many ways,” he shared. “I felt like it would be a great company to work for and learn from.”

Now in his new role, Wyatt says his favorite part so far is getting to learn something new every day. He looks forward to continuing his training, gaining hands-on experience, and playing a bigger role in serving TCEC’s members. He’s eager to grow, learn, and contribute wherever he can.

Jackson comes to us from his hometown of Mayo, Florida, bringing with him a strong foundation of hands-on experience. After completing high school and two years of college, he built a solid background with five years in trade work and 1.5 years in linework, preparing him well for the demands and rewards of a lineman career.

Recently relocating to Perry, Jackson shared that joining Tri-County Electric Cooperative has long been a goal of his. “I enjoy doing linework, and I recently moved to Perry so this was a goal job for me. Great benefits and pay. Great people,” he said.

When asked about his favorite part of working here so far, Jackson didn’t hesitate: “Listening to Wyatt tell stories.”

Looking ahead, Jackson is eager to continue growing in his career. He looks forward to “making a long, rewarding, and safe career and creating stronger bonds with my coworkers.”

Outside of work, Jackson enjoys life with his wife, Tristyn, and their son, Roman. And here’s a fun fact we couldn’t leave out: Jackson can still throw a baseball 95 mph.

Please join us in welcoming Wyatt & Jackson to Tri-County Electric Cooperative! We’re excited to have them on board.

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Spring Salad With Berries And Bacon

Recipe Courtesy of southernliving.com

Cook: 45 min | Prep: 15 min | Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar

• 1 Tbsp. finely chopped shallot (from 1 shallot)

• 1 1/2 tsp. honey

• 1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard

• 3 cups sliced strawberries (from 1 lb. fresh strawberries), divided

• 3/4 tsp. kosher salt, divided

Directions

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

• 5 cups baby spring mix (from 2 [5-oz.] pkg.)

• 1 (4-oz.) feta cheese block, crumbled

• 1 medium shallot, thinly sliced lengthwise

• 1 cup yellow cherry tomatoes, halved

• 8 bacon slices, cooked and coarsely chopped

1. Place red wine vinegar, finely chopped shallot, honey, Dijon mustard, 1 cup of the strawberries, and ¼ teaspoon of the kosher salt in a blender. Process until smooth, about 30 seconds. With blender running, gradually drizzle in oil, processing until mixture is smooth and combined, about 30 seconds.

2. Arrange spring mix on a large platter. Top with feta, sliced shallot, tomatoes, bacon, and remaining 2 cups strawberries and ½ teaspoon salt. Drizzle vinaigrette over salad, and serve immediately.

This Publication’s

Inspirational Moment

“See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come.”

Song of Solomon 2:11-12

Holiday Schedule Reminder

All Tri-County Electric Cooperative offices will be closed Friday, April 3, 2026, in observance of Good Friday. We will have standby crews available for power restoration if needed.

Rural Living