It’s almost time for Annual Meeting

Stacey White, General Manager

Arab Electric has one goal when it comes to providing electricity to you, our member: to have the safest and most reliable electrical service at the lowest rates possible. As part of our commitment to member engagement, we would like to invite you to the 2023 Annual Membership Meeting, where we will discuss our achievements and plans. This year’s ballot will include electing trustees for Districts 2, 5, & 7

Date: August 26, 2023

Time: Doors open at 8:00 a.m. – meeting will start at 9:00 a.m.

Location: The Arab High School Auditorium, 770 6th St NE, Arab, AL.

At this annual meeting, you will have the opportunity to gain insights into the progress and advancements we have made over the past year. We will present a comprehensive report on our financial status, highlight successful projects, and share important updates.

Agenda highlights for the annual meeting include:

1. Welcome and report on number of Members Registered

2. Read Notice of meeting and 2022 minutes

3. Election of Trustees

4. Updates on ongoing projects

5. Old and New Business

6. Drawing for prizes

At Arab Electric, your voice matters. We are dedicated to serving you, our valued member, and ensuring that your electrical needs are met. Together, we can continue to deliver safe, reliable, and cost-effective electricity to our community.

If you have never attended our annual meeting, or if it has been a while, we invite you to attend this year. Our cooperative family looks forward to hearing from our members. Keeping in mind that our electric cooperative is member-owned, we want to share updates with you in person.

Every member that casts a vote will receive a $5 credit on their electric bill and we will have a drawing for one $500 cash prize, two $250 cash prizes and the opportunity to win a 2010 Ford Ranger Truck. You do not have to be present to win.

The annual meeting notice and ballots will be in your mailbox soon. We look forward to hearing from you!

You’ll see bios of the candidates running for the board of trustees on Page 6.

Stacey White, General Manager

General Manager

Official Notice: 2023 Annual Membership Meeting

You are hereby notified, under the provisions of Section 3, Article 3, of the By-Laws of the Arab Electric Cooperative, Inc. that the Annual Meeting of the Members of the Arab Electric Cooperative, Inc. will be convened at the Arab High School Auditorium located by Arab High School on Guntersville Road, in Arab, Alabama, on August 26, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. for the following purpose:

Meeting Agenda:

1. Report on Number of Members Registered

2. Read Notice of Meeting

3. Read Minutes of 2022 Annual Meeting

4. Election of Trustee by Mail-in-Ballot and Voting in Person

5. Presentation of Any Reports

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

6. Old Business

7. New Business

8. Drawing for cash prizes

9. Drawing for 2010 Ford Ranger

10. Adjournment

Anyone wanting to vote in person at the Annual Meeting must bring ballot and registration form to the Meeting. No Ballots will be issued at the meeting. Members voting must present personal identification. No member will be allowed to vote another member’s ballot. Whether you vote by mail or in person you will receive a $5 credit on your electric bill.

Dewane Shedd, District 2 Candidate

My name is Dewayne Shedd. While attending Wallace State Community College, I began my career in law enforcement with the Arab Police Department where I have served for 35 years.

I currently serve as Sergeant with the School Resource Officers and DARE program at the Arab Elementary School. During my career, I have served on committees for the Arab Police Department and Arab City School System.

I have operated a successful business and managed commercial and residential properties in Arab for the past 20 years. I feel with my business experience and community involvement I would be an asset to the Arab Electric Cooperative Board of Trustees and the members it serves.

I currently reside in District 2 with my wife, Nikki, and we are members of Union Hill FCM Church here in Arab. I understand the importance of the board of trustees' working relationship to provide quality service to the members and communities it serves. I would consider it an honor to serve the Arab Electric Cooperative and District 2.

Jordan Stewart, District 2 Candidate

Jordan Stewart was born and raised in Arab, Alabama. She was awarded a full athletic scholarship to Tennessee Wesleyan University for the Women’s Golf team. As a 4-year captain of the golf team, she won numerous leadership awards for both the conference and university. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science.

After college, Jordan spent 12 years working for the Tennessee Valley Authority in its Armed Nuclear Security department and serving in numerous leadership/management positions.

In 2020, Jordan left TVA for an exciting opportunity with the private spaceflight company, Blue Origin, where she is the Regional Security Manager for the company’s Huntsville Engine Manufacturing Facility, Test Stand 4670 on Redstone Arsenal, and the propulsion engineering/

Tyler Barnes, District 5 Candidate

Tyler Barnes is seeking re-election to the Arab Electric Cooperative Board of Trustees for District 5, which covers the Fry Gap and New Canaan areas. Other communities in District 5 include Thrasher Crossroads, Askea Grove, New Brashiers Chapel, Shoal Creek, Old Georgia Mountain, Grassy and Scant City. However, board members are elected systemwide. Barnes is a lifelong resident of the Arab community, where he graduated from Arab High School with the class of 2002. He has been customer sales office in Denver, Colorado. married to his wife Jessica for 17 years and they have one daughter, Kamryn, who is 14 years old. He studied business management and accounting at Snead State. Barnes owns and operates a local tree business, Briscoe Tree Service, that serves the Arab community and surrounding areas. Prior to the tree business he worked as a contractor at Marshall Space Flight Center building fiber optic networks, and handling network security issues.

Jordan also supports all celebrity flights on Blue Origin’s New Shepard low-orbit spaceflight vehicle as a security liaison to the Customer Experience/Astronaut team.

Jordan was appointed to the AEC Trustee Board in 2022 and has successfully represented the members with the following actions: law enforcement training at substations, cameras/security for substations, a kiosk to help members with ease of payments, additional retirement account for employees, new equipment and training for employees, continuing upgrades at substations to include Sundown (new station when it is finished), fiber to substations, bidding out contract work vs. hourly, and continuing to update equipment.

Jordan is married to Heather Stewart, and they have three young children: Raychel, Paige, and Sam. She is the daughter of Tommy and Nancy Stewart.

He’s been a board member for the past four years and is currently the board secretary. Barnes said he is proud of the remarkable accomplishments that have been achieved during his time on the board.“Together, we spearheaded groundbreaking projects, fostered meaningful collaborations, and achieved significant milestones that have left a lasting mark on our system,” he said.

Nathan Clarke, District 7 Candidate

Nathan Clark is running for re-election as the district 7 representative on the Arab Electric Cooperative Board of Directors where he has served since 2020.

District 7 covers the Ruth and Eddy communities along with Mobbs School, Friendship, Rocky Mount, Mount Oak, Pleasant Valley, and Egypt. However, board members are elected districtwide.

Clark said he views the opportunity to serve the Arab Electric Cooperative Board to give back to the great community of Arab. During his time on the board, great accomplishments have been made. AMI meters, an outage management system, bidding vs.

hourly work, and new substation just to name a few.

In 2021 Clark went in with Neal and Sterling Holland to form Holland and Clark Site Contractors which serves North Alabama. In that role, he interacts daily with other North Alabama utility companies, subcontractors, and municipalities, including the City of Arab. Nathan and his wife, Anna, live on their farm in the Ruth Community with their two sons, Frank (16) and John Winston (12).

Nathan is a graduate of Arab High School and holds a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Business from Alabama A & M University. He and his family are active members in the community and attend Arab Wesleyan Church. Clark said, “It would be an honor to serve our cooperative members and employees for another term”.