Co-op Comments
Long time employee Gina Beam retires after over 41 years
After over 41 years, the big laugh and smile filling REC’s hallways has retired. Gina Beam started in 1983 as the Secretary of Member Services and Marketing. She then moved to become a Billing Clerk and then the Engineering Secretary/Dispatcher for over 28 years.
Gina greeted her fellow employees with a good morning and bright smile. That same smile followed as she would talk with the members and people calling in for assistance. She enjoyed being able to talk and help each person who would call in. It was not uncommon for a conversation to bring a song to Gina's mind and start to sing for those around. Her ability to connect with others allowed Gina to excel in her role and finding the best solution for those she was helping.
Some of Gina's most treasured memories, of REC, are working with her fellow co-workers during the long hours of outage repairs. Sharing in the joys and the frustration with the line crews as they work tirelessly to restore the power.
“As I think about my time at REC, my coworkers will always be who I think about first: the laughter, the fun, the joys and the heartache we were able to share,” she recalls. “We are really a
family, and I am thankful I was able to be a part of this family. It didn’t matter if we worked all night because of a storm or if it was a normal day, my fellow coworkers made the time spent together better. I will never forget some of those long nights and the stories we would share about them later.”
While Gina is looking forward to what her retirement years will bring, she knows she will miss coming to work and being around everyone.
“I am truly going to miss the daily conversation with my guys and my friends as they know me better than most – they will always hold a special place in my heart,” she adds. “REC has been a blessing to me and allowed me to blossom in areas I didn’t know I needed at the time.”
Gina has plans for some travel, but what she is looking forward to the most is being able to be available to her family and grandkids.
“We have a few trips planned already,” she says. “I am looking forward to the time I will be able to spend with my family, grandchildren and sisters - as I will have more time for them. I am honestly a little nervous about not reporting to a job every day, but excited for this next chapter of life.”
Lineworkers are wired for service
In the quiet hours before dawn breaks, while many of us are still nestled in our beds, lineworkers begin their day, often clad in flame-resistant clothing, safety goggles, rubber gloves and thick, heavy safety boots.
They are the individuals who epitomize dedication to service in its purest form. As we celebrate Lineworker Appreciation Day on April 14, this is an important moment to reflect on the essential role they play in our daily lives.
Amid towering utility poles and power lines, lineworkers exhibit a strength going far beyond the physical. Whether battling inclement weather, troubleshooting technical problems or navigating treacherous heights, lineworkers demonstrate resilience and a quiet determination to keep our lights on, our homes comfortable, and our communities connected.
Rural Electric crews travel across our six
county service territory, building, maintaining and repairing parts of our local system. Their extraordinary skills ensure our homes remain connected to the grid, businesses stay operational and emergency services remain accessible—a lifeline connecting us all. 475400
In moments of crisis, when the lights go out and we find ourselves in the dark, lineworkers emerge as beacons of hope. Their swift response restores normalcy, offering reassurance in times of uncertainty. Whether repairing storm-ravaged power lines or ensuring continuity during emergencies, their unwavering commitment illuminates life when we need it most.
REC lineworkers also answer the call beyond the boundaries of home. Our crews travel to fellow co-ops, near or far, when widespread outages occur and additional support is needed. Cooperation among cooperatives is one of our seven guiding principles, and no one embodies this core commitment better than lineworkers.
This month, as we celebrate the remarkable men and women who ensure reliable power, let us recognize their unwavering dedication to our members and the local communities they serve.
The next time you flip a switch, please take a moment to remember those who make it possible—lineworkers, who are wired for service and dedicated to illuminating life.
April 2025
Co-op Comments
Official publication of Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. CO-OP COMMENTS is owned, controlled and directed by Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. It is printed monthly and mailed to members in Garvin, McClain, Comanche, Stephens, Grady and Carter counties in Oklahoma.
Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. 13942 Highway 76 • P.O. Box 609
Lindsay, OK 73052
405-756-3104 • 800-259-3504
Outage Number: 855-399-2683 www.recok.coop
Board of Trustees
Gary Jones, President, District 1
Scott Christian, Vice President, District 1
Brent Bacon, Sec./Treasurer, District 1
Larry Anderson, District 2
Johnny Harrel, District 2
Terri Hays, District 2
Mark Finch, District 3
Randy Griswold, District 3
Sonny Harrison, District 3
Lisa Whitman, Attorney
Management and Staff
Dusty Ricks, Manager/CEO
Linda Ray, CFO
Kelli Lindsey, Administrative Assistant and Staff Coordinator
Elaine Gilreath, Manager of Customer Service and Data Processing
Jon Jones, Manager of Engineering
Mitch Gilreath, Manager of Information Technology Services
Eric Neill, Manager of Cyber Security and Special Projects
Megan Lawrence, Manager of Member Services and Marketing
Casey Henson, Manager of Safety and Loss Control/Facilities
David Crull, System Superintendent
Jason Mays, Operations Superintendent
REC's youth program winners
Rural Electric Cooperative recently awarded and recognized 25 area students with trips and scholarships. Eleven high school seniors shared $17,500 in scholarships assisting with their college expenses. Six high school juniors received all-expense paid trips this summer- three won trips to Washington D.C. for Youth Tour and three won trips to Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp near Steamboat Springs, Colorado. While eight eighth graders won a trip to Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperative’s Energy Camp at Canyon Camp near Hinton, Oklahoma.
Both the Youth Tour and Energy Camp competitions were open to REC’s membership and all students attending a school within REC’s service area. Whereas, only high school seniors whose parents or legal guardians are members of REC were eligible to apply for the ten scholarships available.
To compete in the scholarship contest, students were required to complete an application, and from all applicants, the Youth Committee selected 11 finalists to interview. All finalists were selected as winners. Two students received $2,000 scholarships and nine received $1,500 each. Winners of the $2,000 scholarships were Matthew Dutton of Lindsay and Taryn McCaa of Elmore City-Pernell. Scholarships of $1,500 each went to: Abby Pettijohn of Alex; Kalley Anthis of Dibble;
Valerie Riddle of Elmore City-Pernell; Tessa Inman, Kennedy Smith, Lacey Quinn, Jaycee Martin and Cannon Russell of Lindsay and Tanner Perry of Pauls Valley.
High school juniors competing in the Youth Tour contest wrote an essay as the first step of the competition. Judges selected the top six essays as finalists. The finalists competed in a speech contest to determine the trip winners. Judges selected Alondra Lopez and Natalie Cottrell of Lindsay and Julianna Chesnut of Rush Springs as winners for Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. These students will travel to Washington, D.C. with approximately 70 other juniors from across Oklahoma to tour our nation’s capitol.
The three runners-ups won a trip near Steamboat Springs, Colorado for the Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp hosted by the Colorado Electric Cooperatives. Local winners will join students from Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado and Wyoming for the week-long camp. REC’s winners include Marion Lauricella of Lindsay; Gabriel Maddox and Jayna Blakemore of Wynnewood.
REC’s winners to Energy Camp were selected from a large group of essays submitted by eighth graders from several area schools. The group will attend the camp with 80 other eighth graders across Oklahoma. Winners include: Kaisyn Reeves, Kendall Dunn, Luke Mainka and Micah Flores of
Katelynn Stanley or Elmore City-Pernell and Ryne Winsett of Ninnekah.
Student winners, parents, school teachers and administrators were honored at a banquet hosted by REC recently at the Cooperative’s Multi Purpose Center in Lindsay.
REC has offered these programs to area students since 1989. Over the past 35 years REC has provided: 374 scholarships; sent 104 high school juniors to the Youth Tour in Washington, D.C.; sent 96 high school juniors to the Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp; and sent 244 eighth grade students to Energy Camp.
Not pictured is Katelynn Stanley from Elmore City-Pernell.
Alex; Breelee Patterson, Chance Walker and
REC's 2025 scholarship winners. Front row (left to right): Taryn McCaa from Elmore CityPernell; Abby Pettijohn from Alex; Kennedy Smith from Lindsay; Matthew Dutton from Lindsay and Tessa Inman from Lindsay. Back row: Kalley Anthis from Dibble; Valerie Riddle from Elmore City-Pernell; Cannon Russell from Lindsay; Jaycee Martin from Lindsay; Lacey Quinn from Lindsay and Tanner Perry from Pauls Valley.
REC's 2025 Youth Tour finalists. Front row (left to right): Gabriel Maddox from Wynnewood; Jayna Blakemore from Wynnewood and Alondra Lopez from Lindsay. Back row: Marion Lauricella from Lindsay; Natalie Cottrell from Lindsay and Julianna Chesnut from Rush Springs.
REC's 2025 Energy Camp winners. Front row (left to right): Kaisyn Reeves, Micah Flores and Luke Mainka from Alex and Ryne Winsett from Ninnekah. Back row: Kendall Dunn from Alex; Breelee Patterson and Chance Walker from Elmore CityPernell.
Classified Ads
are FREE to REC members to post non-commercial items. Deadline for ads is the 8th of every month. Call the Member Services Dept. at 405-756-3104 ext. 238.
Energy Efficiency Tip of the Month
Turn your suds into savings. Lower your energy use in the laundry room by washing clothes with cold water whenever possible, as heating water accounts for most of the energy used in a laundry cycle. Wash full loads to make the most of energy savings, and use high-efficiency detergent designed for cold washes. For drying cycles, clean the lint filter before each load to improve airflow and use dryer balls to reduce drying time.
Local Co-op Connection Card Deals
A-U-Store It, Purcell -
$5 off first month rent
Backroads Boutique, Lindsay5% off everything excluding special order and sale items
Best Western, Chickasha15% Off Regular Room Rate
Blue Moose Portable and Septic Services, LLC, Elmore City5% Off Septic Tank Pumping, Tent Rental and Special Event Toilet Rentals
Chickasha Diesel Services, Chickasha$50 off any big diesel oil change
Edwards Canvas, Pauls Valley - 5% Off Jenny’s Pics Photography, Lindsay10% Off $50 or More Purchase of Pictures
Lindsay Tire and Lube, Lindsay$5 Off Any Full Service Oil Change
M & M Furniture, Chickasha10% Off Any Purchase
Mazzio’s Italian Eatery, Purcell10% Off Purchase
Photos by Ginger, Pauls Valley1 Free 8x10 Print With First Order of $25
Pharmacy Discounts -
Check out the discounts available using your Co-op Connections Card at participating pharmacies throughout our area. For a complete list of pharmacies, visit REC’s website to see if your pharmacy is offering discounts to Co-op Connections Card holders.