Co-op Comments
REC's 86th Annual Meeting set for Thursday and Saturday
REC members are invited to the 86th Annual Meeting. An early registration drive-thru will be held on Thursday, October 2, from 3 to 6:30 p.m. and the in-person meeting will be on Saturday, October 4, starting at 8 a.m. Both the early registration drive-thru and the in-person meeting will be held at REC's Multi Purpose Center on Highway 76 North in Lindsay.
During the early drive-thru registration on Thursday, members will stay in their vehicles and enter the circle driveway of the Multi Purpose Center off of Highway 76 and go through the registration line.
For members attending on Saturday, please follow the signs to park and attend in-person. Each present member who registers will automatically receive a onetime $25 bill credit in addition to their registration gift. Members should bring their registration card, prize drawing card
and ballot with them to help with the ease in the registration process.
On Saturday, members will be entertained by Zach Ray beginning at 8:45 a.m. Ray was raised on country music and Jesus and likes to incorporate his upbringing into his music. Originally from Blanchard, Ray started singing at his home church. He is currently living in the Durant area with his family. The business meeting will begin at 10 a.m. and members will hear reports from Board President, Gary Jones, and CEO, Dusty Ricks, updating members of activities from 2024. Members driving through on Thursday can find these reports on REC's website, www.recok.coop, under the Annual Meeting tab after the in-person meeting on Saturday.
REC will give out seventy-five, $75 gift certificates for electricity during the business session and three grand prize draw-
Registration gifts to be given out to REC members during Annual Meeting.
ings of $500 gift certificates for electricity. All members registered on either Thursday or Saturday will be eligible for the seventyfive, $75 gift certificates for electricity. During the in-person meeting on Saturday, three members will win $500 gift certificates for electricity. To be eligible to win the grand prize drawings members must be present on Saturday.
Registration gifts include: an REC baseball cap, portable rechargeable desk and neck fan, triplex 3-in-1 light-up charging cable, sun care first aid kit, LED light bulbs, calendar, 2026 Farmers’ Almanac and an ink pen. 18004
For more information about the 86th Annual Meeting, call 405-756-3104 ext. 238.
CEO’s MESSAGE
Powered by purpose
In October, electric cooperatives across the country take time to celebrate National Co-op Month and reflect on the unique advantages of being part of a cooperative. It is also the perfect time to thank you— the members who make it all possible. For us, it is not just a celebration. It is a chance to reaffirm the values that guide everything we do.
As the CEO of REC, I see purpose in action every single day. Unlike investorowned utilities, our Co-op does not exist to make profits for distant shareholders. We exist to serve you — our members, our neighbors and our communities. This purpose is what sets us apart. It is why we were founded, and it is what continues to drive every decision we make.
At its core, being a cooperative means we are member-owned and locally controlled. This is not just a tagline; it is the very heart of our business model. Members have a voice in how our Co-op operates. You elect board members who live right here in our service area and understand the unique challenges and oppor-
tunities our communities face. Decisions are not made in corporate boardrooms hundreds of miles away; they are made here at home, by people who care about the same things you do.
This local accountability means we can stay focused on what matters most: delivering reliable, affordable electricity and providing real value to the people we serve.
We do this by investing in essential infrastructure upgrades and technologies strengthening our local grid and improving electric service. We work hard to manage costs and keep rates as low as possible — because we know how much rising prices affect families and small businesses in our area. When a storm hits or outages occur, REC crews are here and ready to respond quickly, because we live here too.
But our commitment does not end at the power lines.
Co-ops were built to meet community needs, and there purpose extends well beyond delivering electricity. Whether we are supporting local schools, sponsoring youth programs or partnering with volunteer organizations, we are always looking for ways to improve the quality of life in the places we serve. Community support is not an afterthought—it is part of our mission.
We are also planning for the future. As electricity demand grows due to new technologies and economic development, electric co-ops are working to ensure we continue to meet those needs with a balanced, reliable energy mix. We know our members care about affordability and dependability, and we are committed to delivering both.
This National Co-op Month, I encourage you to take pride in your Cooperative membership. You are not just a customer— you are an owner, a stakeholder, and a vital part of a larger effort to keep our community strong, connected and energized.
Thank you for the trust you place in us. We are proud to be your local electric Cooperative.
October 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
Scott Henson, System Superintendent
Jason Mays, Operations Superintendent
REC offers youth programs
Rural Electric Cooperative offers youth programs to students within REC's service territory. High School juniors could win an all-expense paid trip to Washington D.C. or Steamboat Springs, Colorado, while eighth graders could win a trip to Canyon Camp in Hinton, Oklahoma. High school seniors could win a scholarship to help with college expenses.
A representative from REC will visit the schools to distribute information about these programs in October. Students may pick up the necessary information at their schools, from the Cooperative or may visit www.recok.coop and click on the “Programs and Services” tab, then select the program for details.
Energy Camp
Energy Camp is available for eighth graders within REC's service area. Eight students will be selected to attend a threeday camp near Hinton, Oklahoma to gain a better understanding of electric cooperatives, enhance leadership skills and meet new friends.
To participate in this contest, students must be attending a school within REC’s service area and write a short essay on a topic provided by REC.
Youth Tour
Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. is a week-long, all-expense paid trip to Washington D.C. for three students to attend the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Youth Tour. These three students will join approximately 70 other Oklahoma high school juniors this summer.
To participate, students must be classified as a high school junior and are required to write a speech on a topic provided by the Cooperative.
Six finalists will be chosen to present their speeches to determine the winners. The top three scores will win the Washington, D.C. trip, while the three runners-up will earn a week-long, all-expense paid trip to the Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp near Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
Scholarships
In addition to trips, REC offers ten scholarships to area high school seniors. Seniors whose parents are members of REC are eligible to apply for the scholarships. Scholarships will be applied to the students’ freshman year of college starting in the fall semester of 2026.
REC will award two $2,000 scholarships and eight $1,500 scholarships. All materials for any of these programs will be available at area schools and on REC’s website, www.recok.coop. Students may also contact REC’s Member Services Department with additional questions at 405-756-3104, extension 238.
2025 Energy Camp winners pictured from left to right: Kendyll Dunn, Chance Walker, Ryder Drennan, Luke Mainka, Micah Flores, Katelynn Stanley and Breelee Patterson.
2025 Youth Tour winners pictured from left to right: Alondra Lopez, Natalie Cottrell and Julianna Chesnut.
2025 Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp winners pictured from left to right: Marion Lauricella, Kale Cook, Casen Bratcher and Tessa Inman (ambassador).
Classified Advertisement
PETS & LIVESTOCK
FOR SALE: 2 Great Pyrenees dogs, $150 each. PH: 405-831-9610.
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.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Alure of light October 17-18, 2025, setup is on October 16 at 2 p.m. at the fair-
grounds in Chickasha, flea market items and antique lighting, for more information call 405-351-2139 or 580-656-4033.
Bikes given away during Annual Meeting
Is your REC up-to-date?
Account Information
Have you changed your phone number or email address lately? Notify REC, so we can update our information. Call our office at 405-756-3104 and make sure we have your current phone numbers and email address.
When we have the most up-to-date contact information it allows us to better inform you, our members, about what is happening at REC.
Energy Efficiency Tip of the Month
As winter approaches, now is the time to inspect your home for air leaks around windows. Leaks reduce indoor comfort and lead to higher heating costs.
If you can see daylight around the edges of a window frame or if a window rattles slightly when touched, air is likely leaking.
Caulking and weatherstripping are simple, effective methods for sealing windows. These materials are available in a variety of compounds and forms, each designed for different types of surfaces. Choose the right product and apply it properly to reduce heat loss, improve comfort and lower energy bills.
During REC's 86th Annual Meeting two children, ages four to 12, who are registered in the children's program will win a new bike.
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.