Currents, Mohave Electric Cooperative, Winter 2024
P.O. Box 22530
Bullhead City, AZ 86439
Member Services: 928-763-1100
Outage Reporting
Toll free 844-632-2667 or text
“outage” to 55050 from the phone number linked to your MEC account.
mohaveelectric.com
Mohave Electric Cooperative Board of Directors
President
Joe Anderson
Vice President
Deborah Johnson
Secretary
Toni Barbaro
Treasurer
Rich Tempelman
Cindy Head
Tracy Weisz
John Nelssen
Kevin Nestrick
Jose “Joe” Solar
CEO
Tyler Carlson
MEC Currents is published quarterly, serving 38,028 members, 45,044 meters, with more than 1,577 miles of line spanning areas from Bullhead City to Topock on the west, Hualapai to Burro Creek to the south, and Nelson to the east by providing reliable, cost-effective power.
Subscription Services
MEC Currents is published quarterly for members for $2.81 per year by Pioneer Utility Resources Inc., 5625 NE Elam Young Pkwy. Ste. 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124. Nonmember subscriptions are $8.43 (U.S.) per year.
Postmaster
Send address changes to MEC Currents
5625 NE Elam Young Pkwy. Ste. 100 Hillsboro, OR 97124-6454
Reprint Permission
Direct all requests to Public Affairs mecpa@mohaveelectric.com
Advertising Inquiries Call 928-763-4115 or email mecpa@mohaveelectric.com
Chaparral Golf & Country Club
Chaparral Golf & Country Club, located at 1260 Mohave Drive in Bullhead City, is a member-owned and member-operated facility since 1968.
Chef Boy-MEC: Albondigas
Call Center Representative Grace Garcia showcases her father-in-law’s favorite meal.
MEC Member
PHOTO CONTEST
Mohave Electric Cooperative would like our members to show their Co-op spirit by participating in our Photo Contest. Thank you to the members who submitted photos this last round. Power credits for the winner will automatically be added to your member account.
OCS Photo Contest Winner: Ken H. Ken won a $25 power credit for his photo, “Operation Cool Shade.”
Next Photo Contest Theme
The next photo contest theme is the best Great Outdoors photo. MEC members may submit a photo to be featured in an upcoming issue of the quarterly Currents magazine. Submissions may be emailed to mecpa@mohaveelectric. com and must be in high resolution for print in a png or jpeg format. If you have a photo you would like featured, submit today, and you could also win a $25 power credit. Deadline for submission is January 7, 2025. Members are allowed to submit more than one photo.
Email photos to mecpa@mohaveelectric.com
MEC’s Heather Foreman and Allison Ellingson in Supai off Grand Canyon.
Disclaimer: Mohave Electric Cooperative reserves all rights. Images submitted that feature products that are competitive with our offerings will not be accepted. Photos that are considered poor taste or unsuitable for a family magazine will not be accepted for this publication. Submission of photograph must be an original image from a Mohave Electric Member. Final acceptance or rejection of any image will be determined by the Public Affairs staff of Mohave Electric Cooperative.
Two MEC Linemen Light Up Navajo
MEC linemen Chad Valenzuela and Cole Garcia were inspired to volunteer their time to bring electricity to families of the Navajo Tribe. Even in today’s modern world, there are approximately 10,400 families living in the Navajo Nation that do not have electricity, running water, heating, air conditioning, refrigerators or microwaves.
Light Up Navajo originally started as a pilot project in 2019 spearheaded by the American Public Power Association and the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority and has since expanded to 44 volunteer utilities across 16 different states. Over the past four years, the project has connected 882 homes to electricity.
“We were happy to join the charge,” said MEC Lineman Chad Valenzuela. “We often forget to be grateful for everything we have here. We’re very fortunate.”
Chad Valenzuela is a Journeyman Lineman who has been with MEC for six years. Chad started as a Groundman and learned the lineman trade through MEC’s Union Apprenticeship program. He previously held positions at Arizona Pipeline and Southwest Gas.
Chad was born in Needles and currently lives in Bullhead City. “Helping people is a choice, and I have enjoyed volunteering many hours coaching my daughters’ sports teams including basketball, soccer, t-ball, and volunteering for MEC’s Operation Cool Shade event. Light Up Navajo will be another unique opportunity to volunteer.”
We were happy to join the charge. We often forget to be grateful for everything we have here. We’re very fortunate.
— Chad Valenzuela, MEC Lineman
Journeyman Lineman Chad Valenzuela. PHOTOS BY ALLISON ELLINGSON/MEC
Linemen Join the Navajo Project
Cole Garcia is 21 years old and has been an MEC employee for two years. He started as a Groundman and fewer than two months later was promoted to Apprentice Lineman. Cole is from Lake Elsinore, CA and went to lineman school in Northern California. MEC hired Cole just days after graduation.
This will be Cole’s first volunteer experience. “I wanted to volunteer after seeing some of our AZ sister cooperatives had joined the cause,” said Cole Garcia. “We see the other co-ops annually at the Lineman Rodeo Competition and thought it would be a great collaboration to help people together.”
Mohave Electric Cooperative is not an investorowned utility. We are a not-for-profit and as such were founded on 7 principles including Concern for Community. “Volunteerism isn’t just instilled in MEC employees. We live and breathe it. I’m proud of our employees who serve our local community, and I’m proud of Chad and Cole for stepping up and helping the Navajo Tribe.” CEO Tyler Carlson explained.
The Navajo Nation is the largest Indian nation and encompasses portions of northeastern Arizona, northwestern New Mexico, and southeastern Utah. Their headquarters are located in Window Rock, AZ – some 370 miles away from Bullhead City.
Chad and Cole will head out next year in July to join the team of volunteers for ten days. MEC is paired with Norwich Public Utilities from Connecticut. n
Volunteerism isn’t just instilled in MEC employees. We live and breathe it.
— Tyler Carlson, MEC CEO
Apprentice Lineman Cole Garcia.
Co-op Connections Business Spotlight: Chaparral Golf & Country Club
Golf • Restaurant • Banquets • Catering
By Christine Owens
Chaparral Golf & Country Club, located at 1260 Mohave Drive in Bullhead City, is a member-owned and member-operated facility since 1968. Their golf course offers an exclusive 9-hole course, including a range of amenities for every golfer’s needs: clubhouse/pro shop, restaurant, member lounge, and a pool, all surrounded by enchanting desert landscape with lush greens, ponds, and shady trees.
Golfers may begin their day on the greens starting at 7:00 a.m. and play till dusk. The clubhouse is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and their restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus plus dinner specials during the week.
Maybe you’re not a golfer and would like to enjoy some of the amenities. You can join Chaparral for a lineup that will keep you entertained. Bingo is every Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Stretch those vocal cords on Thursdays, Karaoke from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on Fridays at 5:00 p.m. is the renowned Fish Fry, featuring thick cod served up with fries while you enjoy live entertainment during dinner.
Chaparral’s spectacular landscape, sunsets, and starry skies can set the stage for a magical day or evening for your next event. Their beautiful and spacious clubhouse can host up to 125 guests, including a dance area. Their banquet space can accommodate groups/meetings for every budget from 15 to 200 people, and their full kitchen can cater a delicious meal for your event.
You may not be thinking of swimming at this time of year, however, keep in mind Chaparral has a large pool available for their members. The pool can be reserved for birthday parties or a special event, too!
“Chaparral continues to be the hub of activity in the neighborhood, while drawing golfers from all areas in the Tri-State. ’Tis the season to golf and enjoy the perks of membership at Chaparral!” says Tish Todd, Chaparral Golf & Country Club’s Vice President.
Although you don’t have to be a member of Chaparral Golf & Country Club to enjoy some of the amenities, you should look at the several different membership packages available. There are too many benefits to list here, and I’m sure you’ll find a membership to fit you or your family’s needs! Check them
out for yourself. If you’re ready to book your tee time or come in for something good to eat, (psst, my favorite is their BLT sandwich and sweet potato fries!) go on in or give Chaparral a call at 928-758-3939, online at www.chaparralgolfbhc.com, or check them out on Facebook, Chaparral Golf & Country Club. And when you use your Co-op Connections® card, you’ll receive 10% off your food purchase, excluding food specials.
If you don’t already have your free Mohave Electric Co-op Connections® card, stop by Member Service at 928 Hancock Rd. to receive one or sign up online at www.coopconnections.com.
Thinking of becoming a Co-op Connections® business member and not sure where to start? Scan the QR code or email us at coopconnections@mohaveelectric.com. n
PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHAPARRAL GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
MEC Members Nominate New Board Member and Hold Largest Annual Meeting
On Thursday, September 19, Mohave Electric Cooperative, Inc. (MEC) held its Annual Meeting at the Anderson Auto Group Fieldhouse. The annual meeting was attended by 572 Cooperative members as well as guests - the largest attended meeting to date. MEC members received a travel bag kit, and some lucky winners won great door prizes and power credits.
The annual event, as mandated by the Cooperative’s bylaws, introduced the MEC Board of Directors and allowed members to vote on a new bylaw. MEC’s CEO Tyler Carlson discussed several activities from the past year as well as a glimpse forward to the future. Power supply costs and recordbreaking temperatures affected member usage this past year. To circumvent these high bills, MEC’s future renewable energy and natural gas turbines are slated to be added to their energy portfolio.
Members entered the Fieldhouse, registered, received their complimentary meals, and visited informational tables for TWN Communications, Arizona Generation & Transmission Cooperatives (AzG&T), Grand Canyon State Electric Cooperative Association (GCSECA) and Western Governors University Arizona (WGU) – MEC’s newest program supporting bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education, business, IT, and healthcare with access to scholarship opportunities. MEC also had tables staffed with employees who provided information on the UAV Drone Program, SmartHub® app, and the Outage Management System.
Board President Joe Anderson introduced the nine, member-elected Directors that comprise Mohave Electric Cooperative’s Board of Directors, along with Patrick Ledger, CEO of AzG&T; Grand Canyon
State Electric Cooperative Association (GCSECA) CEO Dave Lock; Arizona Farm Bureau CEO Phil Bashaw; B3 Strategies CEO Russell Smolden; Western United Electric Supply Account Manager Jason Thompson; and Emerald Transformer Sales and Business Development Michael Burke.
MEC also hosted three district meetings earlier in the week. Members in attendance recommended that John Nelssen (District 1) and Kevin Nestrick (District 2) continue representing members for a three-year term. At the District 3 meeting, Michael Bartelt announced his retirement after serving 17 years on the board. Members in attendance at the District 3 meeting recommended Cindy Head to represent them.
“I’d like to take this time to thank Michael Bartelt for serving as District 3 Board Director for 17 years. We appreciate your many years of dedication and service to our members,” stated Board President Joe Anderson.
Cindy Head is District 3’s new representative and will serve a threeyear term as Board Director. As a member of MEC for 29 years, Cindy has been a healthcare professional with leadership experience in hospice, hospital department management of nursing, radiology, as well as home care infusion. Her strengths include streamlining operations, state and federal regulatory management, interpretation and implementation. Cindy has been a patient-oriented advocate for clinical excellence and MEC looks forward to having her represent our members. “I’d like to congratulate these three board members who, along with the rest of the board of directors, work tirelessly to help the cooperative. We are happy to
have them continue in their roles. If you haven’t made it out to MEC’s Annual Meeting, I encourage you to come out next year and hear what’s going on,” said CEO Tyler Carlson.
Founded in 1946, Mohave Electric Cooperative is a not-for-profit utility providing reliable, cost-effective power to 38,028 members, 45,044 meters, with more than 1,577 miles of line spanning areas from Bullhead City to Topock on the west, Hualapai to Burro Creek to the south, and Nelson to the east. n
ABOVE: President Joe Anderson (right) congratulates Michael Bartelt (left) for his dedication while serving on MEC Board of Directors.
TOP: CEO Tyler Carlson presents the annual meeting recap. PHOTOS BY STEFANIE SPENCER/ TOPAZ PHOTOGRAPHY
Thankful for Our Giving Community
This time of year is traditionally a season of giving, and our community shines with the efforts of many generous individuals and organizations that give through donations, time, and talent. Two long-standing programs, Boombox Parade and Firefighter’s Holiday Toy Drive, highlight our community Christmas spirit. A third non-profit organization, River Fund, continues the spirit of giving throughout the year with crisis and emergency services and assistance.
26th Annual Boombox Parade, December 6
Since 1998, Colorado River Women’s Council’s (CRWC), in partnership with the City of Bullhead City, host the Boombox Parade, a favorite community event. The annual parade of floats and lights celebrates The Spirit of Giving, with this year’s theme “Celebration in a Snow Globe,” inspiring floats created with unique holiday scenes inside a snow globe. Imagine a distant destination, childhood memory, memorable trip, favorite holiday
movie—the possibilities are endless.
Bring your family and friends to enjoy the music and festivities. The parade begins at 6 p.m. at Hancock Rd. and River Gardens Dr., and continues east on Hancock to Trane Rd.
“The Boombox parade brings the community together to celebrate the season. The joy on the faces of the kids is the best part!” says Ellen Brown, CRWC Hospitality Chair.
Come join us at the parade and watch for MEC’s Old No. 1 pulling our float decked out with toys donated by MEC employees.
Visit ColoradoRiverWomensCouncil.info for more information about CRWC’s programs that make a difference in the Tri-State area.
Firefighter’s Holiday Toy
Drive
A huge program focused on providing Christmas toys and gifts to children in need, the Bullhead City Fire Department and Bullhead Professional Firefighter’s Association established the Firefighter’s Holiday Toy Drive in 1983, helping 50 children that year.
Jeff Jackson, Bullhead City Fire Department Captain and Paramedic, and his wife Jennifer took over the reins for the nonprofit 501(c)3 program 18 years ago, helping 300 children, and today that number has grown to 1,400.
In coordination with area schools and fire departments in 12 communities, Jeff and Jennifer are dedicated to the mission “To ensure that no child goes without a gift to open on Christmas morning.” The goal is to provide $100 in toys and gifts for each child, collectively valued at more than $100,000 annually. Everyone can help by donating new, unwrapped toys at any area fire station, MEC’s Member Service Office, or any of the drop off locations. Just look for the aluminum trash can.
“This is a community event, and with the help and support of our community, we can make sure we take care of our Tri-state
Bullhead City Fire Department gathering MEC employee-donated toys for the Firefighter’s Holiday Toy Drive.
children,” says Jeff Jackson. “It’s the support of many generous businesses that make this possible. MEC donates all batteries needed for the toys each year,” he added.
Jeff and Jennifer make sure all the toys find a home in the community. Any toys left over are offered to daycare centers, family shelters, Boys and Girls Club, and foster parents.
You can also help throughout the year at fundraisers and generous raffle opportunities with proceeds going to support the program.
For drop off locations, event information, and to make a monetary donation, visit firefightersholidaytoydrive.org or on Facebook.
River Fund—Locals Helping Locals— All Year Long
Since its inception in 2010, River Fund has impacted more than 80,000 lives with immediate emergency crisis and hardship assistance totaling more than $4 million throughout the Tri-State area.
As the area’s largest emergency nonprofit, River Fund counts on community support to help those in need. Their motto, “Locals Helping Locals” means all funds raised and donated in this area, stay local.
MEC members can make a difference with our River Fund programs by voluntarily donating $1.00 to From the Heart with River Fund on their electric bill each month, and by signing up for Operation Round Up® to round up your electric bill to the next whole dollar. These donations help local families in need with their electric bill payments. Please contact MEC’s Member Service to sign up.
Among the ways Mohave Electric Cooperative demonstrates our Concern for Community—one of the 7 Cooperative Principles— is by contributing to River Fund. MEC, through its Board of Directors, employees, members, and corporate sponsor CoBank support programs providing $80,000-$100,000 per year in donations to River Fund.
“This summer we were also able to fix AC units and keep homes
cool during the high temperatures thanks to more than $70,000 in our Utility Deposit and Appliance Repair/Replace Fund, provided by abandoned deposits from MEC,” said River Fund CEO Mike Conner.
For more information about River Fund programs, or to make a contribution, visit River Fund’s website riverfundinc.com or call 928-704-0039.
MEC thanks the many local organizations and individuals that contribute and support our community by donating or volunteering. n
MEC Public Affairs Coordinator Heather Foreman on the Boombox parade float adorned with toys donated by MEC employees
Albondigas
Call Center Representative Grace Garcia showcases her father-in-law’s favorite meal.
Ingredients
2 lbs ground beef
4 zucchinis
3 eggs
1 1/2 lbs gold potatoes
1 bunch of cilantro
1 yellow onion
1 8 oz can of El Pato
spicy tomato sauce
3 jalapenos
1 lb bag of baby carrots
1 cup white rice
2 tbsps onion power
2 tbsps garlic powder
2 tbsps garlic salt
2 tbsps of Valentina hot sauce
2 tbsps Tapatio hot sauce
5 cups of water
Instructions
Boil the water and El Pato spicy tomato sauce together in a medium size pot. Dice all vegetables (baby carrots, potatoes, cilantro, zucchini, jalapenos, onion) and add with seasonings, and hot sauces (to your liking) into the pot. Allow mixture to boil. In a large mixing bowl add the following: ground beef, additional dash of all seasonings, eggs, and rice. Mix well then form into meatballs. Once the carrots and potatoes are soft, add in meatballs until rice and meat is cooked through (about 20 minutes.)
Call Center Representative Grace Garcia shares her recipe for albondigas. PHOTO BY HEATHER FOREMAN/MEC
KIDS KORNER
HOLIDAY SAFETY WORD SEARCH
Remember to keep electrical safety in mind this holiday season!
Read the safety tips below, then find and circle the bolded words in the puzzle.
• Do not overload electrical outlets with too many decorations or appliances.
• Make sure your Christmas tree is watered daily.
• Turn off all electrical decorations before leaving home or going to sleep.
• Never leave a candle burning if you’re not in the room.
• Extension cords used for holiday decorations should always be inspected for damage or exposed wires.
Cooperative, Inc. Secures $485
ble Rural Electrification
infrastructure across the rural Southwest. The grant will facilitate major investments in new utility-scale renewable energy projects, including 730 megawatts of solar and 2,910 megawatt-hours of battery energy storage, benefitting 40 member cooperatives and public power utilities across the rural Southwest.
The New ERA Program is also poised to diversify AEPCO’s power resources, marking a significant step toward reducing carbon dioxide emissions by more than 1 million tons annually, or more than 70% by 2031. This commitment not only aligns with the broader national effort to combat climate change but also underscores AEPCO’s unwavering dedication to providing reliable, affordable power to its members across the Southwest. By diversifying resources, AEPCO positions itself to support future growth of rural communities across its service territories.
As part of the New ERA Program, AEPCO has introduced a comprehensive Community Benefits Plan encompassing partnerships with union representatives, local community colleges and other stakeholders to develop new renewable energy apprenticeship programs. AEPCO will also collaborate with local farmers and ranchers to develop new training programs focused on the unique benefits of renewable projects that are available to agricultural partners. n
AEPCO CEO Patrick Ledger spoke at the town hall event and announced AEPCO will retire its last coal assets by the end of 2027, thanks to the New ERA grant.
Vilsack spoke with community and cooperative leaders from across Arizona during a roundtable discussion before the town hall event.
