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ceo’s report BRETT ORME
C HI E F E X E C U T I V E O F F I C ER
Kiamichi Electric Cooperative 944 SW Highway 2 PO Box 340 Wilburton, Oklahoma 74578 tele: (918) 465-2338 toll free: (800) 888-2731 FAX: (918) 465-2950 www.kiamichielectric.org email: support@kiamichielectric.org HOURS OF OPERATION Monday-Friday 8 am to 5 pm 24-HOUR OUTAGE HOTLINE (800) 888-2731 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Mark Ichord, President DISTRICT 6 Ron Pelanconi, Vice President DISTRICT 3 Russell Shaw, Treasurer DISTRICT 1 Amy Miller DISTRICT 2 David Ray DISTRICT 4 Don Parr DISTRICT 5 Larry Culwell DISTRICT 7 Brett Orme Executive Vice President-CEO Kiamichi Electric provides reliable and affordable electricity to members in Pushmataha, Leflore, Latimer, Atoka and Pittsburg Counties.
Over the years, you’ve heard me expound on why and how Kiamichi Electric Co-op is different — because we’re a cooperative. Our business model sets us apart from other utilities because we adhere to seven guiding cooperative principles that reflect core values of honesty, transparency, equity, inclusiveness and service to the greater good of the community. Electric cooperatives, including KEC, have a unique and storied place in our country’s history. We democratized the American dream by bringing electricity to rural areas when for-profit electric companies determined the effort too costly. Back then, cities were electrified, and rural areas were not, creating the original ruralurban divide. Newly established electric lines helped power economic opportunity in rural areas. Today, that spirit of equity and inclusion is a vital part of our co-op DNA. EQUAL ACCESS FOR ALL
different needs and perspectives, and we welcome diverse views on all issues under consideration by the co-op. The more viewpoints we hear, the better we are able to reflect the needs of all corners of our community. INCLUSION
While our top priority is providing safe, reliable and affordable energy, we also want to be a catalyst for good in our community. Because we are your local electric cooperative, co-op revenues stay right here in our community. In turn, we invest in our diverse community base through scholarship programs, charitable giving, educational programs and more. We strive to make long-term decisions that improve and enrich the communities we serve. While today’s world is radically different than it was when KEC was founded, our cooperative values have stood the test of time and remain just as relevant today. We recognize that today’s co-op members expect more, and my pledge to you — the members we proudly serve — is to promote a cooperative culture of inclusion, diversity and equity for all.
When our electric co-op was founded, each member contributed an equal share in order to gain access to electricity that benefited individual families as well as the larger local community. Each member had an equal vote in co-op matters. That sense of equity and inclusion is still how we operate WA today. KEC was built 9.7¢ MT by and belongs to the 11.1¢ OR diverse communities 11¢ ID 9.9¢ and consumer-members WY 11.2¢ we serve. NV By virtue of paying 12¢ UT CO 10.4¢ CA 12.2¢ your electric bill each 19.2¢ month, you’re a member AZ NM 12.4¢ of the co-op, and every 12.5¢ member has an equal voice and vote when it comes to co-op AK 22.9¢ governance. This ties HI back to our guiding 32.1¢ principles of equitable economic participation and democratic control of the co-op. We know members of our community have
ND 10.3¢ SD 11.6¢ NE 10.8¢ KS 12.7¢ OK 10.2¢ TX 11.8¢
MN 13¢
WI 14.2¢
IA 12.5¢
MI 15.7¢
VT: 17.7¢ NH: 20.1¢ MA: 21.9¢ RI: 21.7¢ NY CT: 21.9¢ 17.9¢
PA 13.8¢ IN OH IL 13¢ 12.6¢ 12.4¢ WV VA MO KY 11.3¢ 12.1¢ 11.1¢ 10.8¢ NC TN 11.4¢ 10.9¢ SC AR 13¢ 9.8¢ GA AL MS 12.5¢ 11.8¢ LA 11.3¢ 9.8¢ FL 11.7¢
Under 10.5 ¢ 10.5¢ to 13¢
ME 17.9¢
NJ: 15.9¢ DE: 12.6¢ MD: 13.1¢ DC: 13¢
Over 13¢
