TCEC Linemen - Bryan McMullen, Chad Mitchell, Capas Kinsey
Rural Living
November & December 2025
Board of Trustees
TCEC Staff
Julius Hackett, Chief Executive Officer
Jeff Brewer, Vice President of Engineering
Eileen Herndon, Vice President of Corporate Services
John Tuten, Vice President of Operations
Wendell Williams, Vice President of Finance
Tri-County Electric Cooperative Rural Living, the voice of your member-owned electric cooperative, is published bimonthly — more if necessary — at no subscription cost to the membership. The publication team is comprised of TCEC employees. Postage is paid at Tallahassee, Fla.
Publication Team
Julius Hackett, Chief Executive Officer
Eileen Herndon, Vice President of Corporate Services
Kaitlynn Culpepper, Community Relations Director
Publisher Joanna Forrester
Printed on Responsibly Forested Paper
Tri-County Electric Cooperative 2862 West US 90 Madison, FL 32340 www.tcec.com 1-800-999-2285
A SEASON OF GIVING: A MESSAGE FROM
COOPERATIVE
As the holidays draw near and the air turns crisp, we’re reminded that this truly is the season of giving—a time to reflect on gratitude, generosity, and the importance of looking out for one another. At Tri-County Electric Cooperative (TCEC), those values aren’t just seasonal—they’re at the heart of everything we do, all year long.
You’ve likely heard us talk about our “concern for community.” It’s more than a slogan—it’s one of the founding principles that sets electric cooperatives apart. While our top priority is keeping the lights on, our mission goes beyond that. We’re here to improve the lives of the people we serve—our members, our neighbors, and our friends.
Together, we’ve weathered storms, met challenges head-on, and always come through stronger—because our co-op family shows up for each other. That spirit of support and generosity shines brightest during the holiday season.
Empowering the Next Generation
Take our Energizing Education program, for example. Through the generosity of members who round up their electric bills to the nearest dollar, we’re able to fund scholarships for local high school seniors. This year alone, we helped 21 students take a step toward their educational goals—covering costs like tuition and textbooks. Small contributions, when combined, make a big impact.
We also support the Youth Tour program, which gives students a chance to visit Washington, D.C., experience democracy in action, and explore their potential as future leaders. It’s one of the most meaningful ways we can invest in the next generation.
Sharing the Gift of Knowledge
Because safety is a top priority, our team regularly visits schools across our service area to give live electrical safety demonstrations and teach practical, life-saving tips. We believe knowledge is a gift, too—and we’re proud to share it.
Giving Back, Year-Round
Beyond our work, you’ll find TCEC employees volunteering throughout the community— coaching youth sports, serving on nonprofit boards, supporting local events, and partnering with the Chamber of Commerce to boost our local economy. At a cooperative, giving back isn’t a requirement—it’s simply what we do.
Here When You Need Us
We also know the holidays aren’t easy for everyone. If you’re looking for ways to reduce your energy use, need help with payment options, or just have questions, please reach out. We’re here to support you—not just during the holiday season, but every day of the year.
And if you’re looking for a meaningful way to pay it forward, consider our Gift of Light program. This allows you to make a donation to help pay the electric bill of a fellow TCEC member who may be going through a tough time. You can choose to give anonymously or include your name – it’s entirely up to you. It’s a simple yet powerful way to share warmth and kindness with someone who truly needs it.
At TCEC, “concern for community” isn’t just one of our values—it’s who we are. And during this season of giving, we’re especially thankful to be part of such a caring, generous community.
From all of us at TCEC, we wish you and your loved ones a joyful, safe, and bright holiday season.
Board Meetings
The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc. will be held the second Monday of each month at 3:00 p.m. in the central office building of the Cooperative located at 2862 West US 90, approximately two miles west of the City of Madison.
Julius Hackett, CEO
Bobby Dodd President Donnie Waldrep Vice President George Webb Secretary/Treasurer
Junior Smith District
Catherine Bethea District
Johnny Edwards
John Cruce
Ann Herring District
Benjamin White District
Perry District Office Update: Rebuilding After Hurricane Idalia
In the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia, our Perry District office experienced total devastation. The damage to the building was severe, and since then, our team has worked diligently behind the scenes to navigate the complex process required to rebuild.
Over the past two years, we’ve undergone numerous audits, inspections, and assessments with FEMA to document the extent of the destruction and move forward responsibly. Our goal from the beginning has been clear: to rebuild the Perry office on the same site and restore full service to our members in that area.
Plans for the new office have been fully designed. We’re ready to move forward. However, we remain in a holding pattern while we await final approval from FEMA to demolish the old structure and begin construction. This delay has been frustrating for us—as we know it has been for many in the community.
We want to be upfront with you: we share your concerns about the current condition of the damaged building. The collapsed structure has become an eyesore, and it is not reflective of the pride we take in the communities we serve. We want you to know that we are doing everything in our power to move this process along. As soon as we receive the green light from FEMA, we are prepared to act quickly—clearing the site and breaking ground on a brand-new, modern facility.
The new office will not only restore full functionality to the district but also provide improved access and additional parking for our members. We’re excited about the future and can’t wait to share the finished result with you.
During this time we are able to assist members at our temporary location in Perry; 3498-4 South US 19 (Byron Butler Parkway) open from 8:00 AM-5:00 PM Monday thru Friday.
We appreciate your patience, understanding, and continued support as we work through these unavoidable delays. More updates will be shared as soon as we have news to report.
Thank you for being part of the Tri-County Electric Cooperative family. We’re committed to rebuilding stronger—for you.
*CRA Architects
Did you know that a portion of the electricity delivered to your home or business is hydroelectric power?
Jim Woodruff Dam is a hydro-electric dam on the Apalachicola River, about 1,000 feet (300 m) south of that river’s origin at the confluence of the Flint and Chattahoochee Rivers. The dam impounds Lake Seminole on the common border of Florida and Georgia.
The dam is named in honor of James W. Woodruff, Sr., a Georgia businessman who spearheaded the development of the ApalachicolaChattahoochee-Flint Project.
The Lake Seminole project, originally authorized as the Jim Woodruff Lock and Dam Project by the River and Harbor Act of 1946, was the first of three locks and dams constructed for navigation, hydropower, recreation, and related-use purposes on the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River system.
Lake Seminole borders both Georgia and Florida and has 37,500 acres of water and over 22,000 acres of surrounding land. Extending up the Chattahoochee River 30 miles and up the Flint River 35 miles, Lake Seminole has 376 miles of shoreline. Construction of this multipurpose project began in 1947 and the power plant came online in 1957. The current plant capacity is 43.35 MW. Nine percent of TCEC’s energy mix consists of energy generated by the dam. Recently, TCEC CEO Julius Hackett, VP of Corporate Services Eileen Herndon, and Community Relations Director Kaitlynn Culpepper toured the Jim Woodruff Dam. CEO Julius Hackett also serves as the Chair of the Southeastern Federal Power Customers (SeFPC) Board. The SeFPC board advocates for hydropower on behalf of cooperatives and municipalities in the southeast region of the United States.
Credit: US Army Corps of Engineers – Mobile District Website
Inspections are Underway
TCEC will be performing inspections throughout our service territory on our padmount transformers. During the inspection process, routine maintenance will be performed. Should the inspection reveal a repair is needed, in some instances, a second visit to your property may be needed.
TCEC estimates it will take 2-3 months to complete this important inspection of our nearly 1800 padmount transformers.
A New Duo
Welcome to the Team!
Heather Mosley
Heather Mosley joined the co-op in July as a Rotating Member Service Representative. While she assists members at all co-op locations, she primarily works out of the Perry District office.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in human services & administration and brings many years of experience serving those in need through her previous roles at Suwannee River Economic Council, where she worked as CSBH/LIHEAP Edit Staff and Executive Secretary.
Working at the co-op has brought Heather closer to her hometown, where she now lives with her fiancé. She is inspired by the co-op’s family like atmosphere and is eager to continue learning and growing in her new career. Her passion for community service and helping others makes her a valuable addition to the team.
Kirsten Foust
Meet our newest System Operator, Kirsten Foust. She lives in Lee, Florida with her husband, two sons and daughter.
Kirsten previously worked for the Department of Corrections and is excited to begin her new role at the co-op, having always heard it was a great place to work. So far, she is enjoying being part of a team that collaborates well and supports one another.
Her role in the dispatch center is vital to the co-op’s daily operations and plays a key part in ensuring efficient outage response. Kirsten is eager to continue learning and growing in her new position.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time on her boat with her family.
When visiting the TCEC Headquarters office in Madison, members and guests will be welcomed by two new faces. Brandi Joseph and Mandy Mauldin are the newest Member Service Representatives at the co-op and began working out of the Madison office as of October.
Brandi Joseph
Brandi Joseph graduated from Florida A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in music and philosophy. She brings many years of customer service experience from her time at Publix and CVS.
Her favorite thing about working at the co-op so far is how friendly and helpful everyone is. She is excited to become more knowledgeable about the billing systems and looks forward to working efficiently while assisting members in the lobby, drive-thru, and over the phone.
Brandi sees her role at the co-op not just as a job, but as a long-term career. Outside of work, she is a singer-songwriter and enjoys reading in her free time.
Mandy Mauldin
Mandy Mauldin brings several years of customer service experience from her time at Madison County Community Bank and Madison County Memorial Hospital. She holds an associate’s degree and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business organizational management.
She views her role at the co-op as a valuable opportunity to build on her existing skills while contributing to work she finds deeply meaningful and impactful to the community. So far, her favorite part of the job has been how welcoming and supportive everyone has been.
Mandy is excited to continue learning about the co-op’s systems and processes to better assist members. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her fiancé and their two-year old daughter, especially riding their buggy along the dirt roads.
85th TCEC Annual Meeting
Over 730 Tri-County Electric Cooperative Members attended the 85th TCEC Annual Meeting on Saturday, September 20th at Madison County High School.
Drive-thru registration began at 8:00 AM with a steady stream of members coming through to register and cast their ballot for a bylaw amendment on the agenda for this year’s meeting.
Attending the in-person business meeting is optional, but for those who choose to stay the morning was packed with activities. Inside the gymnasium, TCEC Board Member Mr. Donnie Waldrep lead several rounds of bingo, with over 50 attendees winning prizes and bill credits. TCEC employees and representatives from our Generation and Transmission cooperative, Seminole Electric, and our fiber partners at Conexon, were on-site to talk with folks about products, services, and answer any questions they may have.
The business meeting began promptly at 10:00 AM, with TCEC purchasing agent Reggie Daniels leading with prayer. Attendees were addressed by TCEC board president Mr. Bobby Dodd, CEO Julius Hackett and co-op attorney Mr. Dylan Rivers.
The Cooperative’s Secretary/Treasurer, George Webb, presented a financial report, which included the 2024 financial audit, highlighting key financial activities for 2024.
The Cooperative attorney provided a report on the re-election of three board trustees following the district meetings held in July, Donnie Waldrep was re-elected to District 3, Catherine Bethea was re-elected to District 5, and Ann Herring was re-elected to District 6.
Other business included was the consideration and passage of a bylaw amendment introducing an Alternative Dispute Resolution process. Following the tally of votes, 446 members voted in favor
TCEC CEO Julius Hackett
TCEC Board of Trustees Left to Right: John Cruce, Donnie Waldrep, Junior Smith, Bobby Dodd, Ann Herring, Catherine Bethea, George Webb, Ben White, Johnny Edwards
of the amendment, while 128 voted against it. With a clear majority vote, the amendment was officially adopted.
As always, anticipation began to build for the drawing of door prizes at the conclusion of the meeting. Members and guests won big this year with prizes such as a Yeti Bag, a generator, security camera systems, home appliances, coolers, gift cards to local restaurants and more!
This year, TCEC Members had to attend in person to be eligible to win the grand prize, a 2014 Ford Explorer, previously used by the co-op. The first card drawn, Mary Turner. Seated right in the middle of the audience and jumping for joy!
85 years of service and 85 Annual Meetings, year after year, we remain proud to serve our members and communities with quality, affordable, reliable electric service. Thank you to all that attended this year’s Annual Meeting.
Mary Turner is the proud owner of the Grand Prize 2014 Ford Explorer Fleet Vehicle. Congratulations!
Photos courtesy of Rebecca Vann Photography
Winter Energy Savings: Comfort From the Cold
Take steps now to prepare your home for cold weather. You’ll save money and ensure that you and your pets stay warm and cozy all winter long. Autumn is here. The days are getting shorter and the weather is turning colder. How much you save on your energy bills this winter will depend largely on what you do now. Here are steps you can take to help make your home more warm and cozy and energy efficient when winter weather comes.
Doors and windows
• Replace worn weather stripping around all doors
• Caulk around gaps in windows.
• Install storm doors if you have them.
• Consider replacing older windows with newer, more efficient models.
Insulation and air sealing
• Proper insulation is essential both for keeping your house warm and saving on winter heating costs. Contact a qualified insulation control to inspect your home to ensure that it’s properly insulated for your climate zone.
• Check in your attic and basement for gaps around flue vents and joists, as well as exterior piping and wiring. Seal with insulation cutouts, as well as caulking or expandable foam.
Heating system
• Have your heating system checked by a qualified professional before cold weather arrives.
• Clean vents and other heating system components.
• Replace your furnace filter and continue to replace it regularly throughout the heating season.
• Install a programmable thermostat; it will save energy by automatically lowering temperatures at night and when you are away from home.
• If your heating system is older, upgrade to an ENERGY STAR®-certified heat pump for high-efficiency year-round comfort.
Chimney and fireplace
• Have the chimney and fireplace checked and cleaned by a professional.
• Repair or replace loose-fitting fireplace dampers; they will allow warm air to escape.
• Keep the damper closed whenever the fireplace is not in use.
• Install fireplace inserts, covers, glass doors or flue sealers to prevent heat loss through your chimney.
Outside your home
• Replace any missing or damaged roof shingles.
• Clean gutters and make sure that downspouts point away from the house.
• Make sure that flashing around chimney and vent pipes is sealed tight.
• Trim tree limbs that are touching or overhanging the house.
To optimize savings and comfort, hire a qualified professional to perform an energy audit of your home. Your auditor will suggest targeted cost-saving opportunities to make your home more energy efficient this winter and all year long.
Strawberry Santas
Recipe Courtesy of Food Network Kitchen
TOTAL TIME: 50 min | Active: 20 min | Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Ingredients
Frosting:
• 1/4 cup mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
• 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup powdered sugar
Santas:
• 12 large strawberries
• 24 mini chocolate chips
Directions
Pastry bag fitted with a small star piping tip
1. For the frosting: In a medium bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat the mascarpone and vanilla until smooth. Gradually beat in the powdered sugar until the mixture is thick and smooth. Using a spatula, transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a small star piping tip.
2. For the Santas: Using a paring knife, cut off the leaf-end of each strawberry to make a flat surface. Cut a 1/2- to 3/4-inch piece from the pointed end of each strawberry and reserve as the hats.
3. Place the strawberries, wide-side down, on a work surface. Pipe a 3/4-inch-high swirl of frosting on each strawberry. Place the hats on top and pipe a small ball of frosting on top of the hats. Press two chocolate chips, pointed-sides inward, into the swirl of frosting to make eyes.
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among Inspirational Moment
If the holiday season is nudging you toward good deeds, consider giving a special gift that will provide a bill credit for the electric co-op member of your choice. Ask a Member Service Representative for more information about the perfect Christmas gift.
Holiday Schedule
Reminder
All Tri-County Electric offices will be closed Nov. 27 & 28 for Thanksgiving; Dec. 24 & 25 for Christmas; and Jan. 1, 2026 for New Year’s. We will have standby crews available for power restoration if needed.
The TCEC staff and employees are thankful to have the honor of serving you and wish you hope, peace and joy this Holiday Season.
