MAR C H
|
2021
SECONEWS DEAR MEMBERS,
Most important, I am honored to work with the best employees in the energy industry. SECO employees are world-class representatives of the cooperative purpose who provide exceptional customer service to our members. When I retire, it’s the great employees of this company I will miss the most.
After 42 years at SECO Energy, I have formally announced my plan to retire as CEO in January 853020 2022. I began my My wife Connie and I have been married for 53 career with SECO years. We are looking forward to spending more in 1979 as the Director of time traveling, scuba diving and relaxing on the Accounting and Finance. At that water. We’re excited to spend time, the cooperative was known SECO EMPLOYEES more of our free time with our as Sumter Electric Cooperative, two sons and three grandchildren and the meter count was just ARE WORLD-CLASS as well. Though the timing of my 37,000. REPRESENTATIVES OF THE retirement was an emotional and COOPERATIVE PURPOSE difficult decision, I know it is the Growth in Central Florida took right time to take the next steps off, and when I was promoted to WHO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONAL to focus on fun and family. CEO in 1990, the meter count had CUSTOMER SERVICE TO OUR almost doubled to 66,000 homes MEMBERS. I hope you will tune in to watch and businesses. We reached the our 83rd Annual Meeting’s live 100,000-meter count milestone virtual webcast on Thursday, March in 1999 and the 200,000-meter 25, at 4:30 p.m. This will be my final address to the count milestone in 2017. membership. The Meeting this year is a no-frills, Without question, much has changed over my three virtual Annual Business Meeting that is themed decades as CEO. We have dramatically improved “Just Business.” In our continued COVID-cautious members’ service reliability through increased environment, we encourage you to watch our virtual investments in our electric infrastructure and a webcast from the comfort and safety of your home. strengthened vegetation management program. At The link to the live webcast will be posted on our the end of 2020, our meter count reached 216,477. homepage at SECOEnergy.com, Facebook, Twitter, Our total investment in our electric facilities is Instagram and YouTube. approaching the $1 billion mark at $955.6 million. We’ve celebrated customer satisfaction wins in recent years, too. Some of my proudest moments as CEO came when SECO Energy won coveted J.D. Power awards in 2015, 2016 and 2017 when our satisfaction scores topped all utilities in the nation. In 2020, we upheld our position as an American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) frontrunner in Florida and nationally with a score of 91.
Continued on page 2
INSIDE THIS ISSUE • Florida Special Needs Registry • Go Green & Win • Winners’ Circle Hurricane Handbook • Florida Fauna & Flora MARCH 2021 | SECO NEWS
1
Though we are not hosting the big onsite party, we have 100 Annual Meeting prizes up for grabs. Members who vote on Annual Meeting business (a Bylaws Revision and last year’s minutes) are eligible to win a prize. The grand prizes are a 2011 refurbished GMC Canyon 4x4 extended cab truck, a golf cart and four $1,000 cash prizes. Other prizes include air fryers, tool sets, Ring doorbells, NEST thermostats, SECO bill credits and more. All members who vote on the Bylaws Revision and the 2020 Annual Meeting Minutes are eligible to win. Learn more about Annual Meeting voting and review the list of prizes on pages four and five. I know the next ten months will fly by quickly, and I want to emphasize how thankful I am for the privilege of working for this great organization for 42 years. Sincerely,
Jim Duncan Chief Executive Officer
ADVICE FROM THE
346802 RIPE, REFRESHING SUMMER FRUITS AND VEGETABLES ARE PLANTED IN SPRING GARDENS. According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, Florida falls in Area 1 based on the potential frost and cold period. There is still plenty of time to get seeds in the ground. Plant beans, sweet corn, muskmelons, squashes and watermelons beginning March 15. Be sure to plant cucumbers, eggplant, leeks and sweet potatoes by mid-April. If you like okra, wait until April 15 to plant. Above-ground crops should be planted March 21 – 23 or April 18 – 19. The best days for planting below-ground crops are March 3 – 4 and 30 – 31 and April 8 – 9.
MARCH 2021 | SECO NEWS
2
The Florida Division of Emergency Management has developed the Florida Special Needs Registry. Before Atlantic hurricane season begins on June 1, if you or a family member has a special need, add your name to the registry. The Florida Special Needs Registry allows residents with special needs to subscribe to their county’s emergency management agency to receive assistance and alerts during a disaster. The statewide registry provides first responders with valuable information to prepare for disasters or other emergencies. The Special Needs Registry may help save your life. Visit the Florida Disaster website or snr.FLhealthresponse.com to locate your county and register. If someone in your home depends on lifesustaining medical equipment that operates on electricity, make arrangements in advance for an emergency alternative power source. If you are considering installing a generator, go to SECOEnergy.com > Safety to view our video on generators.
981301
Don’t forget to look for the last six digits of your account number in this month’s SECO News. You can email us at customerservice@secoenergy.com or call if your number appears. Six winners will be drawn at random from all submissions. Winners receive a $25 gift card.
Fred Zesewitz from Eustis is the February winner of a SECO Energy branded JuiceBox Pro 40 EV Level 2 charger. We’re giving one charger away each month while supplies last. To enter, text “EV” to (352) 320-4500 for a link to enter. Or click on the EV Charger Giveaway homepage banner. Learn more about the benefits of electric vehicle ownership on our EV website pages. You’ll find an EV savings calculator, information about CO2 reduction, an EV and PHEV model finder and a nationwide charger-finder map. Visit our Electric Vehicles page for more details.
Watch SECO News for next month’s charger winner.
MARCH 2021 | SECO NEWS
3
Tune in virtually for SECO Energy’s 2021 Annual “Just Business” Meeting on Thursday, March 25. The Annual Business Meeting online webcast begins at 4:30 p.m. To access, click on the 2021 Virtual Annual Just Business Meeting banner at SECOEnergy.com. Links to the webcast will also be published on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
VO TE
Given the continuing COVID-cautious environment, we do not encourage in-person attendance and are unable to accommodate food service, shuttle service, onsite prize distribution and other activities of previous years. The good news is that members do not have to attend the meeting to vote and be entered in the prize drawing.
MARCH 2021 | SECO NEWS
4
2021 ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING
PRIZE LIST 2011 GMC Canyon 4x4 Extended Cab . Golf Cart . $1,000 Cash (4) . Nest Learning Thermostat (10) . Apple TV 4K 64GB (5) . Instant Pot Duo 6 Quart . Ninja Foodi Smokeless Indoor Grill (2) . Dewalt Brush 20V Max Cordless Drill Combo (3) . Ring Video Doorbell (5) . Fire HD 8 Tablet with Alexa 32GB (5) . Fire TV Cube with Alexa 4K Ultra HD (2) . $100 VISA Gift Cards (15) . $250 SECO Bill Credits (5) . JBL Flip 3 Splashproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker (2) . Black & Decker GoPak 4-Tool Cordless Combo Kit (4) . Emeril Lagasse Power Air Fryer 360 (2) . Shark Robotic Vacuum . Power XL Air Fryer Pro (2) . Victrola 6-in-1 Bluetooth Entertainment (2) . Amazon Fire TV (2) . Fitbit Inspire 2 Health & Fitness Tracker (2) . Nix Digital Photo Frame 8” . Nostalgia Vintage Ice Cream Maker (2) . Kobalt 64-Piece Standard Tool Set . $50 VISA Gift Card (15) . Workpro 74-Piece Home Repair Tool Kit . Milwaukee AC/DC Powered Radio (3) . Foodsaver 2-in-1 Vacuum Sealing System
MARCH 2021 | SECO NEWS
5
GO GREEN AND WIN Go Green in 2021 to be eligible to win a prize. Help SECO reduce billing and paper costs and you could win a $200 bill credit, a NEST thermostat or an Amazon Echo Dot with Alexa. We’ll draw three winners each month whose account meets the three account eligibility criteria:
. . .
Payment Cards
registered through SmartHub opted out of paper billing statements enrolled in automatic bank draft
If you have more than one account that meets the three criteria, each account is eligible to be drawn as a winner. You can enroll in bank draft and select paperless billing through SmartHub. Members who aren’t as tech savvy or do not have a smartphone or tablet can reach out to Member Services by phone for enrollment assistance. We’ll choose three winners each month through 2021. GOOD LUCK! Pay Now
Have you engaged with our virtual assistant Electra who can answer thousands of calls without missing a beat? Ask Electra for assistance instead of waiting to speak with a representative. Each week, we’ll draw one winner who will receive a $25 gift card. Winners are drawn from all members who called and successfully took care of business with Electra. JANUARY’S WINNERS ARE: Alma Cook from Lake Panasoffkee Ron Lyle from Ocala Raymond Clark from Deland Susan Scarano from Floral City
Congratulations to our three February winners in our Go Green and Win: Paperless Billing and Bank Draft member incentive. Linda Lauletta from Mascotte is the winner of a $200 SECO Energy bill credit. Jerry Johnson from Ocala is the winner of a NEST thermostat. Nancy Marty from Leesburg is the winner of an Amazon Echo Dot with Alexa.
Read Winners’ Circle next month for more winners. Congratulations, winners! MARCH 2021 | SECO NEWS
6
093014
CANE TOAD
SCHOLARSHIP
REMINDER
At te n t io n h ig h sch oo l se n io r s interested in a career in the energy industry, SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees has approved $36,000 in scholarship funds for 12 awardees to receive $3,000 each. Completed applications are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 26.
C
ane toads are native species from South America to southern Texas. The toads were
introduced to Florida and have flourished as an invasive species. Also called a bufo, giant or marine toad, its body is reddish brown, dark brown, or gray. Some are uniform in color or could have darker markings. Cane toads do not have ridges across their heads as seen on native southern toads. Cane toads are
Student Eligibility Requirements: • reside in a home served by SECO Energy • interested in a career in the energy industry • graduating in the current school year (2021) • enrolled full-time in an accredited Florida college, university, vocational/ technical school by the end of 2021 • pursuing a degree or certification in technology, engineering, math or business
also much larger than native southern toads. They grow as large as nine inches, while southern toads grow to four inches.
064101 Toads and frogs are often praised for their effective pest control abilities, but cane toads can be toxic or deadly to pets. They have enlarged glands behind their eyes which secrete bufotoxin as a form of defense against predators. Cane toad tadpoles are also poisonous if ingested. Do not handle these toads without gloves and eye protection. Call ASPCA Pet Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or your veterinarian if you suspect your pet has come in contact with a cane toad or tadpole.
Cane toads were brought to Florida to control pests in SUGAR CANE CROPS in the 1930s and 40s. Escaped toads and the pet trade in the 50s and 60s are likely responsible for today’s large population.
An independent panel of educators from SECO’s service area evaluates all applications and selects each year’s winners. Print an application by visiting SECOEnergy.com > Your Co-op > Scholarships or pick one up from a school guidance counselor.
198902
Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
MARCH 2021 | SECO NEWS
7
BOARD BIOS MEET THE TRUSTEES
MIKE MUFFETT DISTRICT 6 TRUSTEE _____
District 6 Trustee Mike Muffett lives in Summerfield and has been a SECO Energy member since 1984. In March 2019, Mr. Muffett began his first term on the Board. He also serves as a pastor at his local community church.
JERRY HATFIELD
GERALD ANDERSON
PRESIDENT
VICE PRESIDENT
SECRETARY/TREASURER
District 4 Trustee Member since 1999 Resides in Ocala
District 9 Trustee Member since 1970 Resides in Umatilla
District 3 Trustee Member since 2013 Resides in The Villages
SCOTT BOYATT
JOYCE ANDERSON
RAY VICK
District 1 Trustee Member since 2004 Resides in Clermont
District 2 Trustee Member since 2017 Resides in Sumterville
District 5 Trustee Member since 1974 Resides in Inverness
MIKE MUFFETT
JOSEPH KUSIAK
WILLIAM JAMES
District 6 Trustee Member since 1984 Resides in Summerfield
District 7 Trustee Member since 2002 Resides in Dunnellon
District 8 Trustee Member since 2002 Resides in Leesburg
RICHARD DENNISON
The Board of Trustees will meet on Monday, March 29, at 2:30 p.m. in the Corporate Offices at 330 South US HWY 301 in Sumterville. A Trustees’ meeting will also be held on Monday, April 26, 2021.
24/7 Job Hotline: secoenergyjobs.com Report an Outage: stormcenter.secoenergy.com
8 SECO Energy.com MARCHSECO 2021Energy | SECO is NEWS an equal opportunity provider and employer.