What Does It Mean to Be a Member of Canoochee EMC?
BY MICHAEL WASSON, CEO, CANOOCHEE EMC
When people think of an electric company, it’s easy to assume it’s simply a transactional service, energy is delivered, a bill is paid and the cycle repeats. But at Canoochee EMC, we are built on something far more meaningful than a basic exchange of services. We are a member-owned cooperative, created by the very communities we serve and guided by the needs, values and voices of the people who live here.
Unlike traditional, investor-owned utility companies that answer to outof-town shareholders, Canoochee EMC operates under a fundamentally different model. Every customer we serve is also a member-owner, which means our priorities are shaped locally, not by distant corporate interests, but by the people who depend on us every day.
Decisions are made with our members in mind, focusing on reliability, affordability and long-term community well-being rather than maximizing profits. Our leadership and employees aren’t just representatives of a company, they are your neighbors, friends and fellow community members.
A strong example of our community first approach is Operation Round Up. Through the generosity of our members who choose to round up their monthly bills to the nearest dol-
lar, we can create meaningful change right here at home.
Those small contributions add up to significant impact, allowing our foundation board to provide financial assistance to local charities, families and individuals. Every dollar stays in the community, helping neighbors support neighbors in times of need.
Being a member of a cooperative distinguishes you from other electric utility consumers, as well as other business relationships, in important ways:
1. Co-op leaders are members of our local community. Our nine
board members live right here in our local area and are elected by co-op members just like you. Board members serve three-year terms and elections are held at our Annual Meeting each fall.
2. We belong to the communities we serve. Since we are a cooperative, any excess revenue is shared with members over time.
3. We follow the same seven cooperative principles that all cooperative businesses follow.
At Canoochee EMC, we don’t just power homes, we empower communities, because serving you isn’t just a job, it’s our purpose.
Canoochee EMC: 1938 to Now
In the late 1930s, a few citizens from Tattnall County decided that they wanted electricity, and they were tired of waiting for it. Mrs. C.P. Durrence was an important figure at the beginning of our co-op, and we believe she would be proud of what she helped to create.
Canoochee EMC was first incorporated in 1938, bringing electricity to the rural areas of southeast Georgia. Former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal brought the Rural Electrification Act (REA), and with it, places like our region were first able to provide power to rural Continued on page 18B
CEMC Foundation: Powering Minds From the Classroom
In March, the Canoochee EMC Foundation proudly awarded $54,000 to charitable organizations, schools and individuals in its service area.
Among the recipients, $5,000 was awarded to Tattnall County High School’s Project 7, a student-led, faith-based initiative focused on education, character development and community outreach. These funds will be used to purchase Bibles for students and families in the community.
Another $5,000 was awarded to Tattnall County High School’s Computer Science and Programming Pathways program. These funds will support updates to the lab environment, creating a more flexible and modern learning space that accommo-
dates plugged and unplugged activities. Planned purchases include alternative seating and tables, external monitors, laptop stands and other ergonomic technology accessories.
Teacher Appreciation Day
National Teacher
Appreciation Day is recognized on Tuesday, May 5, and Canoochee EMC is proud to recognize the educators who inspire curiosity, ignite new ideas and help power the future of our communities. Your dedication and passion make a lasting impact far beyond the classroom!
As your local electric company, we’re honored to serve the schools, teachers and students who keep our communities growing and thriving. Just as we work to power your classrooms, you power the minds and futures of the next generation.
The Canoochee EMC Foundation Board greatly supports these initiatives and remains committed to investing in programs that positively impact students and the broader community.
Being a Canoochee EMC Member,
America. We were part of this program—the REA. Today, we serve more than 18,000 members in parts of nine southeast Georgia counties, and we also maintain the electrical system for Fort Stewart–Hunter Army Airfield.
Maintenance Updates
Osmose: As part of our efforts to improve reliability, Canoochee EMC contracts with Osmose to complete pole inspections on our system. This preventive maintenance finds deteriorated poles that need replacing before they fail and cause larger problems. Osmose team members will be in marked vehicles that include our logo, in addition to theirs. This includes off-road vehicles.
Right-of-Way: Our right-of-way crews work year-round to maintain trees and branches that could potentially interfere with our utility poles. This maintenance is essential for ensuring reliable service, preventing outages and keeping our communities safe. You may see our crews working in your neighborhood as part of these ongoing efforts.
Office Closure
Power in Your Hands. Pay Anytime, Anywhere.
Download our convenient 24/7 accessible app today! On our app, Canoochee EMC members can:
• Access their online member portal.
• Monitor energy use.
• View real-time outages.
• Sign up for alerts and notifications.
• Make payments.
Important: We ask that members continue to update all contact information, such as phone numbers and emails, to ensure members can receive billing notifications, service updates and outage alerts.
Happy Mother’s Day
Sunday, May 10
Thank you to all the moms, grandmothers and mother figures who help keep our homes and communities running strong. Mothers bring the care, support and energy that brighten our lives every day. Thank you for all that you do. Happy Mother’s Day!
Canoochee EMC offices will be closed Monday, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day.
The Transformer
Official Publication of Canoochee EMC
P.O. Box 487
Reidsville, GA 30453
(800) 342-0134
Joseph A. Sikes, Editor
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Connie Thrift District 3
President
Bob Floyd District 4 Vice President
Kim Blocker ..................... District 9
Treasurer
LaNell M. Oliver District 6
Secretary
Ed Bradley Jr. District 5
Robert Dasher District 8
Kenneth L. Durrence District 7
Lavanda Lynn District 2
Bernard Purvis District 1
Michael Wasson, Chief Executive Officer
Andy Whiten, Chief Operations Officer
Mat Olson, Chief Financial Officer
Patrick Burkhalter, Chief Administration Officer
Kyle E. Durrence, Member Services Manager
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR POWER IS OFF . . .
1. Check your fuses or breakers.
2. Check with your neighbors.
3. Call (800) 342-0134 or (912) 557-4391.
There is a dispatcher on call 24 hours a day for your convenience.
OFFICE HOURS
Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed Saturday, Sunday and holidays
Branch offices Highway 196 West Hinesville, GA 31313
Highway 280 East Pembroke, GA 31321
Claim Your Capital Credits Today
A A
n electric cooperative operates on an at-cost basis, with any leftover revenue allocated to members as capital credits based on their electricity use. These credits represent each member’s ownership stake in the co-op.
When finances allow and the Canoochee EMC Board of Directors approves, the co-op returns the capital credits to members over time. This is called a general retirement. When we have a general retirement, we find that not everyone claims these funds. We hold these funds for our members for five years, at which point we make a final effort to find them.
The five-year claim period for capital credits is closing this year for 1990, 1991 and 2019. If you think you have unclaimed credits for these years, please check the full member list on our website. The final day to claim capital credits is Sept. 30, 2026. Call us anytime with questions.
Turn Up Your Grill, Turn Down the Bill
May is National Barbecue Month. Firing up the grill isn’t just great for flavor; it can also help you save energy. Cooking outdoors keeps extra heat out of the kitchen, so your air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard to keep your home cool. Enjoy the barbecue and the energy savings!
Touchstone Energy Senior Citizen of the Month
Congratulations to Annette B. Newton of Pembroke for being selected as the May 2026 Touchstone Energy Senior Citizen of the Month.
