PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

By Todd Ware, President & Chief Executive Officer

In an era of rising energy costs, geopolitical issues and growing demand for transparency, the cooperative model for utility service stands out for all the right reasons. As the President and CEO of The Energy Cooperative, I am proud to lead an organization that delivers not just electricity, natural gas and propane, but also works to build trust, accountability and community value.

What Makes a Cooperative Different?

At its core, a cooperative is owned by the people it serves. That means every customer is a member, and every member has a voice. We do not answer to shareholders or Wall Street. We answer to you.

This structure creates a fundamentally different set of priorities. Our mission is not to maximize profits. It is to provide safe, reliable and sustainable energy while reinvesting in the communities we call home.

Local Control, Local Impact

Because we are governed by a local board of directors elected by our members, our decisions reflect the values and needs of communities. Whether it is infrastructure expansion, providing educational demonstrations, or launching an ambassador program, our initiatives are shaped by local input.

When we generate excess revenue, we return it to our members in the form of capital credits. That is money back in your pocket, not profits given to shareholders.

Resilience Through Relationships

Cooperatives are part of a nationwide network of more than 900 electric cooperatives, serving 42 million Americans. We collaborate, share resources and support one another during emergencies. When a storm hits, we send help because cooperatives help cooperatives, just like neighbors help neighbors.

This spirit of cooperation extends to our fuel strategy. By offering electric, natural gas and propane services, we provide fuel choice and flexibility, especially in rural areas where options are limited. We are investing in new technologies across all three utilities to ensure a better future for our members.

Innovation With Integrity

Being a cooperative does not mean being behind the times. It means we can innovate with purpose. We are piloting propane AMI meters, investing in automated distribution technology, and continually working on our infrastructure expansion—all with the goal of improving service and making our operations more efficient.

We prioritize transparency, because our members deserve to know where their energy comes from, how it is priced, and what we are doing to keep it affordable.

A Model For The Future

In a world where trust in institutions is declining, cooperatives offer a refreshing alternative: local ownership, democratic governance and a commitment to people over profits.

At The Energy Cooperative, our number one priority never changes: to provide our members with safe, reliable and sustainable energy