The Light Post, Escambia River Electric Cooperative, February 2026

ISSUE 05 | FEB 2026

JAY OFFICE

3425 Highway 4

P O Box 428 (mail) Jay, FL 32565

850-675-4521 or 800-235-3848

WALNUT HILL OFFICE

4950 Highway 99A Walnut Hill, FL 32568

850-327-4122

NEW OFFICE HOURS BEGINS JAN 2

7:00 a m to 4:30 p m Monday - Thursday

7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. every other Friday

Closed on alternating Fridays

Walnut Hill is closed from 12 :00 - 1:00 p m

STAFF

Ryan C. Campbell, P.E., CEO

Sonya Dooley, Director of Finance and Administration

Lanie Sells, Director of Engineering

Glenn White, Director of Operations

Cortney Owens, Manager of Marketing Communications

Derek Bridwell, Manager of Information Technology

Crystal George, Manager of Accounting

TRUSTEES

Escambia County

Brian Davis

James E. Hall

Ernie Hester

Sam Walker (Vice President)

Gary Wiggins

Santa Rosa County

Mickey Diamond

Rick Hunsucker (President)

Philip Marshall

Wesley Scott

Dale Westmoreland (Secretary/Treasurer)

The board of directors meets at 5 p m the third Monday of each month at the cooperative’s Jay office.

FOR POWER OUTAGES

Call 877-OUT-EREC or 877-688-3732 For emergency conditions, call 911.

Contact Cortney Owens (cowens@erec com) regarding this monthly publication

RELIABILITY REQUIRES INVESTMENT

Ryan Campbell, P.E.

As your local power provider, EREC’s mission is simple: keep the lights on and support the communities we serve. Delivering reliable electricity, however, requires ongoing investment in our local grid through regular maintenance, system upgrades and the use of new technologies that help us operate more efficiently

Much of our electric system was built decades ago. While it continues to serve us well, aging equipment must be repaired or replaced to maintain safety and reliability. Proactive improvements help reduce outages, speed restoration and strengthen the system for a growing community

Electric demand is also increasing as homes and businesses rely more on modern technologies such as electric vehicles, advanced HVAC systems and smart appliances. Strategic upgrades, including improvements to substations and distribution infrastructure, ensure we can meet today’s needs and prepare for the future.

At the same time, innovative tools like smart meters, automated switching devices and advanced monitoring systems allow us to identify issues faster and respond more effectively. These investments improve reliability, enhance safety and support long-term planning.

By investing in our local grid today, we are building a stronger, more resilient system that supports our members, our economy and our community now and for generations to come

You? Isthis

You could win a $10 Bill Credit!

If the account number below matches yours, call us at (850) 675-4521 to claim a $10 credit on your next electric bill!

YOUTH TOUR SELECTIONS

We are pleased to announce the students selected for the 2026 Tallahassee Youth Tour, a leadershipfocused experience that brings history, civic engagement, and cooperation to life.

From monuments and memorials to meetings with members of Congress, Youth Tour emphasizes leadership and the cooperative values that electric cooperatives were founded on, empowering communities and improving quality of life

This year brought a record number of applications. From this group, two students will be selected to attend the Washington, D.C. Youth Tour in June, with all expenses paid

We are proud of every student who applied and look forward to an inspiring 2026 Youth Tour experience.

2026 YOUTH TOUR

We’re excited to announce the students who have been selected for the 2026 Youth Tour Leadership Trip to Tallahassee this month

Northview High School

Caley Daharsh

Presley Johnson

Jay High School

Dalton Boutwell

Chase Dooley

Ella Edwards

Sawyer LeFlore

Bailey Lowry

Kylei Martinez

Clayton Sowell

Lucas Taylor

Grace Walters

Central High School

Natalia Magdaleno

Sarah Miller

Josi Ratermann

WILLING TO BE A CANDIDATE FOR TRUSTEE?

Article IV Section 2 of the bylaws of Escambia River Electric Cooperative Inc provides the qualifications for trustees Qualifications are as follows: “No member shall be eligible to become or remain a trustee or to hold any position of trust in the cooperative who is not a bona fide resident in the area served by the cooperative, has not been a member in good standing of the cooperative for a minimum of five years, or who is in any way employed by or financially interested in a competing enterprise or a business selling electric energy or supplies to the cooperative, or a business primarily engaged in selling electrical or plumbing appliances, fixtures or supplies to the members of the cooperative, and no person shall take or hold office as a trustee who is the incumbent of or candidate for any political office in connection with which a salary is paid, and no person shall take or hold as a trustee who has been convicted of a crime which constitutes a felony and has not had their civil rights restored, and no member shall take or hold office, subject to the following, as a trustee if they have been lawfully charged or served with a grand jury indictment of warrant for a crime which constitutes a felony in any federal or state jurisdiction. When a membership is held jointly by a husband and wife, either one, but not both, may be elected a trustee provided, however, that neither one shall be eligible to become or remain a trustee or to hold a position of trust in the cooperative unless both shall meet the qualifications hereinabove set forth.”

Any member willing to be nominated as a trustee candidate and who is willing to serve on the EREC Board of Trustees, if elected, is asked to fill out the form below and mail it to the cooperative Those members’ names will be given to the nominating committee to aid them in the selection of candidates The nominating committee is not bound by the names received and may choose anyone who is a member to run if that member agrees

Nomination forms must be received in the cooperative office by March 1, 2026: 2026 Nominating Committee

EREC P.O. Box 428 Jay, FL 32565

I, , a bona fi de member of Escambia River Electric Cooperative Inc., am willing to have my name placed in nomination for trustee of Escambia River Electric Cooperative Inc. for the 2025 election of trustees, and I am willing to serve on the EREC Board of Trustees, if elected.

Name (as shown on EREC bill):

Account No:

Phone No :

Email:

Address: County of Residence:

Member’s Signature:

CELEBRATING RANDALL - 42 YEARS

After 42 years of dedicated service, Randall Ashworth retired from Escambia River Electric Cooperative on December 31, 2025 Throughout his career, Randall exemplified commitment, professionalism, and a deep dedication to serving our members and community

His years of service have left a lasting Randall Ashworth ERECServiceman

impact on EREC, and we are grateful for the knowledge, experience, and leadership he shared along the way As Randall begins this new chapter, we extend our sincere appreciation for his many contributions and wish him the very best in retirement.

Thank you, Randall, for 42 years of outstanding service to EREC

SPICY, AND A TOUCH OF SWEET!

Did You Know?

What uses more power: your refrigerator or your TV?

Wait for next issue

VEGETARIAN HOT HONEY PIZZA

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F

1 cup butternut squash (diced into small cubes)

1/4 cup olive oil (divided)

8 ounces sliced mushrooms

1 batch pizza dough

2 teaspoons minced garlic

4 cups arugula

1 cup grated parmesan

1 cup red onion (sliced)

Salt/pepper (to taste)

3/4 cup feta cheese (crumbled)

2 Tablespoons hot honey

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS OPEN!

Applications are now being accepted for the Herman D. Johnson Scholarship and the Votech Scholarship. The Herman D. Johnson Scholarship provides $1,000 per year for four years to students pursuing a four-year degree, while the Votech Scholarship offers $1,000 for a twoyear trade program

Seniors living on EREC lines are eligible to apply Applications can be completed online or mailed in Download an application at www.EREC.com or pick one up through your guidance counselor.

Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in your future!

Dice the butternut squash and place on a baking sheet or roasting pan with 1/4 cup of water (for a more tender texture)

Drizzle with 2 Tablespoons of oil and add salt and pepper to taste

Roast the squash for 15 minutes.

Add the sliced mushrooms to the same pan and roast for another 10 minutes

While the vegetables are roasting, prepare and press down the pizza dough into a pan

Drizzle the remaining oil over the pizza dough

Top with the garlic, arugula, grated parmesan, and sliced red onions

Add the roasted squash, mushrooms, salt/pepper (to taste), and crumbled feta. Drizzle with hot honey

Bake the pizza for about 15-20 minutes.

SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS

Schneider Farm Fence

McDavid, FL

850-516-4749

Email: myfarmfence@gmail.com myfarmfence.com

Check them out on facebook.

Serving Northwest Florida and Southern Alabama, Schneider Farm Fence is professional, reliable, and known for longlasting fencing solutions Founded in 2006 by Royce Schneider and his son, the company began by building fences for their own farm and quickly expanded to serve local neighbors Today, Schneider Farm Fence specializes in custom agricultural fencing, bringing expertise and quality craftsmanship to every project. Call them for a free, no-obligation estimate.

e Rustic Spur Parlor

37 Watermill Road Jay, FL

850-530-0423

Email: paws4537@gmail.com

Check them out on facebook.

Owned by local resident Jessica

Nowling, The Rustic Spur Pet Parlor is a full-service dog grooming shop in Jay Open Wednesday through Saturday, the salon offers complete grooming and bath packages, as well as extras including ear cleaning, nail trims, teeth brushing, and more Dedicated to keeping pets happy, healthy, and looking their best, The Rustic Spur Pet Parlor provides personalized care for your beloved pets.