FROM theTOP
PATRICK GRACE
CEO ADDRESS
You might have noticed OEC Fiber reached a milestone a few months ago when they reached the 20,000 subscriber mark. Now, it's OEC's turn as we celebrate serving reliable electricity to over 60,000 meters. The excitement of a new broadband network is easy to celebrate, especially one that's moving as quickly as OEC Fiber. The relevance of its unique story — bringing high-speed internet where no one else will — has taken a lot of focus and attention. Not to be lost in that excitement is the tremendous electric growth we have experienced at the same time. Serving electricity to 60,000 meters places us among the largest distribution electric co-ops in the nation. Only 7% of the 865 local, member-owned electric co-ops serve more members than we do. Growth is good. It leads to financial stability and the ability to invest more resources into improving our reliability and the overall member experience. As we grow our infrastructure, we are also creating jobs, which means we must adapt our facilities to accommodate a growing workforce. It also gives us a cushion from devastating events like ice storms and polar vortexes, as we’re able to absorb costs so our members don't have to. Our proximity to the Oklahoma City metro and consumers' migration to the suburbs has led to accelerated growth over the past five years. While most of our new construction is residential, plenty of commercial properties have continued to develop in the communities we serve and, as a result, our communities continue to grow. One of the reasons we invest in our communities and give back is to see them and our members thrive. Growth in the areas we serve is always good to see, and we are happy to continually be your trusted energy partner as we work to improve the quality of life for all those we serve.
Oklahoma Electric Cooperative 242 24th Ave NW | PO Box 1208 Norman, OK, 73070 321-2024, FAX 405-217-6900 http://www.okcoop.org
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Rusty Grissom, President District3Trustee@okcoop.org
Ronnie Tharp, Vice President District9Trustee@okcoop.org
Bob Usry, Sec. Treas. District8Trustee@okcoop.org
Shirley Idleman, Asst. Sec. Treas. District5Trustee@okcoop.org
Mike Argo
District1Trustee@okcoop.org
Percy Moreu
District2Trustee@okcoop.org
Ronnie Grover
District4Trustee@okcoop.org
John Jensen
District6Trustee@okcoop.org
Danny Watters
District7Trustee@okcoop.org
District
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SENIOR MANAGEMENT
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Chief Executive Officer ............................. Patrick Grace Chief Financial Officer ............... Preston O’Brien, CPA VP of Engineering .................................... Thad Peterson VP of HR and Legal Services ................ Tracy Mowdy VP of Information Technology .. David Goodspeed VP of Metering ............................................... John Spencer VP of Operations ............................................ Marty Hayes
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Oklahoma Electric Co-op News is published monthly by Oklahoma Electric Cooperative, 242 24th Ave. NW, Norman, OK 73069, (USPS-865-700). Subscription rates: $6.00 per year for non-members, 50¢ per year for members. Periodical postage paid at Norman, OK and other additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Please send form 3579 to: Oklahoma Electric Co-op News, PO Box 1208, Norman, OK 73070.
Co-op News Editor Brianna Wall, CCC brianna.wall@okcoop.org Members who find their account number hidden within the text of this issue will be awarded $500. Call 405-217-6708.
