FROM theTOP
PATRICK GRACE
CEO ADDRESS
It seems like just yesterday we launched OEC Fiber with big goals and an even bigger vision. Now, we're celebrating the milestone of serving high-speed, reliable internet service to over 20,000 subscribers. What an accomplishment — and it only took two years. This rapid growth is all thanks to you — our member-consumers who shared with us your need for connectivity. We quickly learned it was a system-wide need, and one we were uniquely qualified to meet. When the pandemic hit last year, broadband instantly became essential to our livelihood. We always knew it was essential for distance learning, virtual healthcare and remote work, but that need made itself known a lot sooner than we anticipated. We found safe ways to continue working while businesses and schools had to close their doors. We kept going through the pandemic because the need was, and continues to be for some, so great. Our post-pandemic world will see a lot more remote learning, working from home and other virtual opportunities. We are helping ensure our members can take advantage of everything that lies ahead with high-speed internet they can depend on. Unfortunately, something that will have to wait another year is our Annual Meeting. We were looking forward to gathering with you this year, but commitments for an event of that size must be made months beforehand. We can't say with certainty what local mandates and venue policies will look like in August, so the board of trustees decided it's best to postpone the Annual Meeting until we know we can meet safely without any restrictions. We sure hope for more normalcy in 2022 and look forward to the day we can celebrate with you. Until then, know we continue doing everything we can to ensure you are receiving the most reliable electric and internet service.
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 Administration ...................................... Jonna Buck 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.
