JACKSON EMC LINEMEN
AT STATEWIDE COMPETITION
JUNE 2026 | IN THIS ISSUE
YOUR HOME'S ENERGY ANALYSIS IS JUST A FEW CLICKS AWAY NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS EVERY DAY ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS ON ENERGY
THE POWER OF SHOWING UP
Sometimes, the most important thing you can do is simply show up.
At Jackson EMC, showing up can mean restoring power safely after a storm, answering a member’s questions with patience and care, or helping neighbors prepare for severe weather and save energy. Regardless of the situation, serving people starts with the same mindset –being there when it matters most.
I see that commitment every day in our employees. The people who serve our members care deeply about this community because it’s their community, too. They live here, raise their families here and want to a make a positive difference wherever they can.
That spirit was especially evident during recent events across our service area when employees volunteered with local nonprofits, schools and community organizations. They packaged food for students in need, helped build benches for
a 4-H camp and cheered on participants at the Special Olympics.
One nonprofit leader shared something that really stood out to me. She said Jackson EMC employees are always willing to help – not only at their organization, but anywhere there’s a need in the community that serves people.
I think that says a lot about who our employees are.
Whether they’re volunteering at a local organization or helping restore power after a storm, they care about serving others well. It’s not about recognition. It’s about doing the right thing and helping make our communities stronger.
When you contact us, you can expect to talk to people who are ready to help and who genuinely care about your experience. You’re more than a customer. You’re a member of a cooperative built to serve you.
Your Home’s Energy Analysis is Just a Few Clicks Away
Want to know which appliances and habits use the most energy in your home?
The Home Energy Calculator on the MyJacksonEMC website gives you a personalized breakdown of your home’s energy use so you can make informed choices that fit your household and budget.
To get started, answer a few questions about your home, such as square footage and number of appliances. The Home Energy Calculator will use those details and your recent bills to create a free, customized report showing your energy breakdown. You may even discover simple ways to lower your energy use and monthly bill.
How to Get Started
• Log in to your MyJacksonEMC account on a desktop computer
• Click Usage, then Usage Management
• Select Start Saving
• Answer questions about your home
• Get a personalized report on your energy use
Our members help make that impact possible, too. Through programs like Operation Round Up®, members support organizations and services that are improving lives across Northeast Georgia. It’s a reminder of what can happen when neighbors come together to help one another.
Showing up is more than volunteering or responding during difficult times. It’s how we approach every interaction and every opportunity to serve you.
No matter what comes your way – a storm, a question or a challenge – you can count
CHIP JAKINS, President & CEO
Every Day NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS
At Jackson EMC, serving you goes beyond keeping the lights on – it’s about caring for the community you call home.
Our employees carry that commitment with them into neighborhoods across our service area, giving their time in ways that make a real difference for you and your neighbors.
You may see our employees volunteering at local schools, picking up litter along roadsides and in parks, or packing food boxes and backpacks for families and students in need. Each effort is personal, because it directly affects the places you live, work and raise your family.
The same people who answer your call and restore your power also show up in your community with a willingness
to help. It’s the kind of super-personalized care you can expect from your cooperative.
When employees give their time, they help strengthen the places we all call home as neighbors helping neighbors.
705 VOLUNTEER HOURS served by 100+ employees in April
20 SERVICE PROJECTS completed supporting 16 local organizations
ONGOING VOLUNTEER EFFORTS making a difference in the communities you call home
JACKSON EMC LINEMEN SHINE
AT STATEWIDE COMPETITION
Jackson EMC journeyman lineman teams were among the best in the state at the Georgia Lineman’s Rodeo, held May 2 in Fort Valley, Ga. Three Jackson EMC teams placed in the top five among all teams at the annual competition.
Jackson EMC sent 17 apprentices and seven journeyman teams to the Georgia Lineman’s Rodeo, where they competed in a series of events in traditional lineman skills and tasks.
A total of 143 apprentices and 37 journeyman teams from electric utility providers across the state participated in the competition. Apprentices compete as individuals, while journeymen compete in teams of three.
“The Lineman’s Rodeo is one of the best ways we reinforce what matters most on the job every day. We’re proud to see so many of our guys step up and compete at this level. It pushes them to perform at a high level while strengthening the safety habits, teamwork and real-world skills our members depend on.” said Patrick McAuliff, Jefferson district director of engineering and operations for Jackson EMC.
Apprentices and journeyman teams compete in the hurtman rescue and a “known skill” challenge, as well as two mystery events revealed the day before the competition. Apprentices also complete a written exam that’s separate
from their overall score. Competitors are scored on skill and speed for completing tasks for each event.
The top performers from Jackson EMC will represent the electric cooperative at the International Lineman’s Rodeo in Bonner Springs, Kansas in October.
Jackson EMC's Competitors at the 2026 Georgia Lineman's Rodeo
SEE OUR LINEMEN IN ACTION BY SCANNING THIS QR CODE
TEAM HONORS INCLUDE:
Justin Roper, Jeff Sutton and Kaleb Chapman of Oakwood finished first overall, second in the hurtman rescue event, eighth in the PKR switch changeout event, second in the bad transformer event, and second in the polymer changeout event.
Cody Watson, Easton Tuggle and Brandon Sanders of Neese finished second overall, seventh in hurtman rescue event; seventh in the PKR switch changeout event, sixth in the bad transformer event, and fourth in the polymer changeout event.
Devin Triplett, Austin Gragg and Justin Cash of Jefferson finished fifth overall, fifth in the hurtman rescue event, ninth in the PKR switch change out event, and eight in the polymer changeout event.
Austin Lewis, Ben Campbell and Brandon Carter of Neese finished tenth in the hurtman rescue event and first in the PKR switch changeout event.
Collin Ward, James Partain and Dwayne Dickerson of Neese finished fifth in the PKR switch changeout event.
INDIVIDUAL HONORS INCLUDE:
Stephen Garner of Gwinnett placed sixth in the armor rod and tie installation event.
Sam Tompkins of Oakwood placed fourth in the obstacle course event.
YOUR OPERATION ROUND UP® Contributions in the Community
Helping Mamas is making a difference for families across our community, and we’re honored to see the impact of your Operation Round Up® contributions in action.
Thanks to your generosity, the Jackson EMC Foundation recently awarded an $8,000 grant to Helping Mamas to help provide diapers to area families.
This partnership reflects the cooperative spirit of neighbors helping neighbors and supporting families when they need it most. Thank you to Helping Mamas for the incredible work you do for families in our community every day.
OPERATION ROUND UP ® : YOUR DONATIONS AT WORK
$85,000 IN GRANTS RECENTLY AWARDED
The Jackson EMC Foundation Board of Directors recently approved a total of $85,000 in grants to local organizations.
Organizational Grant Recipients:
$15,000 to the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Foundation for supplies for its Opportunities Academy Program, a weeklong program to introduce Gwinnett County high school students to careers in healthcare, biomedical science and other STEM fields.
$10,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of Jackson County, Jefferson, to support children from Banks, Barrow, Clarke, Franklin, Gwinnett, Jackson and Madison counties participating in its summer program.
$10,000 to Gainesville Housing Corporation to provide teachers for its Rise Summer Learning Program for children in kindergarten through third grade.
$10,000 to the University of North Georgia Foundation, Inc., Dahlonega, to support its Steps to College Program, which provides summer high school courses for English learners in Hall, Gwinnett and Banks counties.
$10,000 to Young Women’s Christian Organization of Athens, to support children from Clarke, Barrow, Jackson, Madison and Oglethorpe counties in its Summer Girls Club Program.
$5,000 to Gwinnett United in Drug Education, Inc. , Lawrenceville, to support students from Barrow, Gwinnett
and Hall counties to participate in its Georgia Teen Institute Leadership and Substance Use Prevention Program.
$5,000 to Horizons Atlanta at the University of Georgia for staff support for its six-week program addressing critical barriers to academic success for underserved students in Banks, Clarke and Oglethorpe counties.
$5,000 to Latina Leads, Suwanee, for its weeklong leadership and educational program for girls in Gwinnett and Hall counties.
$5,000 to the Nuci Phillips Memorial Foundation, Athens, to support rising sixth-11th grade students from Clarke, Jackson, Lumpkin and Madison counties in its summer day program that combines music education with a focus on positive mental health.
$5,000 to the Quinlan Visual Arts Center, Gainesville, to support its Art Therapy Summer Program for Hall County youth living in local mobile home communities with art therapy.
$5,000 to the University of Georgia School of Medicine, Athens, to support middle and high school students in all counties served by Jackson EMC for its Mini-Medical School Summer Academy to get an introduction to biomedical sciences and healthcare careers.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, OR TO APPLY FOR A JACKSON EMC FOUNDATION GRANT, JACKSONEMC.COM/FOUNDATION
Your Recipe COULD BE A COMMUNITY FAVORITE
Share your favorite recipe and you might inspire a neighbor’s next meal. For decades, Jackson EMC members have shared dishes that bring families together.
We’d love to see yours!
Submit your recipe for a chance to win a $200 grocery gift card. Winners are featured in JEMCO News
Send your recipe with your name, address and phone number to: Cooperative Cooking, Jackson EMC, P.O. Box 38, Jefferson, GA 30549 or email to recipes@jacksonemc.com.
Thank you for helping keep this member tradition going one recipe at a time!
Answered by CHRISTY QUEEN Jackson EMC Director of Residential Marketing
Send us your questions at residentialmemberservices@jacksonemc.com — your question might even appear in JEMCO News!
Your Energy Questions Answered
Q: What is SEER 2 and how does it affect my decision when choosing a new
heat pump?
A: Great question! If you're shopping for a new heat pump, you may have noticed that systems now use a SEER 2 rating instead of the older SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating. Both ratings measure how efficiently a heat pump cools and heats your home. In general, the higher the SEER2 rating, the less electricity the system uses to keep your home comfortable, which can help lower your electric bills –especially during Georgia’s hot summers.
SEER2 is an updated efficiency standard from the U.S. Department of Energy, which now requires SEER2 ratings for all newly manufactured systems. The new rating better reflects how heating and cooling systems perform in homes, including the impact of ductwork. Because of this, a SEER2 rating is typically slightly lower than a traditional SEER rating for the same equipment, even though the performance hasn’t changed.
That means you can make a more informed decision when comparing systems for comfort, efficiency and long-term energy savings. Choosing an energy-efficient heat pump can help improve comfort and lower your energy use for years to come.
If you’re considering an HVAC upgrade, Jackson EMC offers a $400 rebate per unit for qualified heat pumps with ratings of at least 15.2 SEER2 (approximate 16 SEER equivalent), with a maximum of two units per home. This can help you offset upfront costs while improving your home’s energy efficiency.
You can find qualified HVAC professionals in Jackson EMC’s Participating Contractor Network at jacksonemc.com/contractors.
JACKSON EMC OFFICES
1000 Dawsonville Highway Gainesville, GA (770) 536-2415
85 Spratlin Mill Road Hull, GA (706) 548-5362
850 Commerce Road Jefferson, GA (706) 367-5281
825 Buford Dr Lawrenceville, GA (770) 963-6166
EMC SECURITY
55 Satellite Blvd., NW Suwanee, GA (770) 963-0305 or (706) 543-4009 YOUR POWER. YOUR COMMUNITY.
Quick Morning Bread
INGREDIENTS:
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Add milk and melted butter, stirring gently until combined. Pour batter into a lightly greased mini-loaf pan (5.75 x 3). Place the pan in the refrigerator for a brief chill (10-15 minutes). Transfer the pan to the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden and set. Allow to cool slightly before serving.
"This recipe reflects a belief in making something nourishing from what is already on hand — uncomplicated, steady and welcoming to any table. It has become a dependable part of our mornings. These simple ingredients, given with a little care, will always find a way to nourish.” -ELAINE THOMPSON, Buford
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