August 2026

CURRENT LIGHT

FLASHES

AUGUST 2026 | VOL. 76 NO. 8 | www.westflorida.coop Melton Takes Helm as Interim Executive Vice President & CEO After 38 years of dedicated service to West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC), our new Interim Executive Vice President and CEO has seen our cooperative grow, adapt, and serve generations of members.

Will Melton began his career at WFEC in 1988 as a meter reader in the Sneads district. A few years later, he became an apprentice lineworker.

After completing the Tennessee Valley Public Power Association (TVPPA) apprenticeship program and the necessary on-the-job training, he became a journeyman lineworker and was later awarded a line crew leader position. He moved into a staking technician role in 2019, and in 2020, was promoted to Manager, Operations and Construction in Sneads.

His most recent role was Director of Engineering and Operations where his duties entailed overseeing all linemen, operations, dispatch, engineering and warehouse staff in three district offices before being named Interim Executive Vice President and CEO by the Board of Trustees in June 2026. 64847002 “I am excited about the opportunity to build on the strong foundation that is already established while prepar-

I nside Page 2: Co-op Energy Sources Page 3: Neel and Killingsworth Attend National Youth Tour Page 4: The Heat is On: What Drives Your Summer Electric Bill

Will Melton

ing our cooperative for the future.

The electric industry is changing rapidly, and I believe WFEC is in a great position to embrace new technologies, improve efficiency, and continue providing reliable, affordable service to our members. I’m excited to work alongside an outstanding group of employees and a dedicated Board of Trustees as we continue moving our cooperative forward,” he said.

Melton credits many with his success at West Florida Electric, but no one more than Kenny Williams, aka “Pa,” stating that Williams taught him and many others what hard work looks like and what true leadership means. He also noted that he’s had the privilege of working beside

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ROW U pdate WFEC Right-of-Way Crews will be cutting & trimming in the following area(s) during

AUGUST: Bascom & Grand Ridge When ROW crews are trimming in your area, there may be several days between ROW cutting & clean-up crews due to inclement weather, equipment failure, or other unforeseen circumstances.

Spot your WFEC account number & earn a $25 bill credit!

Find your account number inside the articles in this publication and give us a call or send an email to clf@westflorida.coop with your name and account number to verify.

countless other dedicated employees throughout his career who genuinely cared about the cooperative and the members it serves, and who through their professionalism and work ethics have helped shape him into the leader he is today.

Beyond his career, Melton says his greatest sources of strength have always been his faith in God and his supportive family. He and his wife, Julie, have been married for 27 years and have built a close-knit family that includes their son, Parker, their daughter, Payton Kressman, and her husband, Kaulder, who blessed them with a grandson, Kolt. He says their unwavering support has been constant throughout his career, keeping him grounded and reminding him each day of what matters most, serving others, working hard, and leaving things better for the next generation.

As a leader, Melton says he values trust, integrity, accountability, and communication from his team.

“Great teams are built on people who genuinely care about one another, are willing to help one another succeed, and who are committed to doing what’s best for our co-op’s members.

Every employee, regardless of their position, plays an important role in our success. When everyone works together toward a common goal, there’s very little that cannot be accomplished,” he said.

Looking to the future, Melton sees significant opportunities to strengthen WFEC’s reliability, modernize its electric distribution system, improve operational efficiency, and continue investing in employees. He believes emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, can help employees serve members more effectively and improve efficiency across the cooperative. 106721001 “Serving our members is the reason we are here. As a cooperative, every decision we make should be centered around providing safe, reliable, and affordable electric service while

Ways to pay!

WFEC offers a variety of ways to pay your monthly bills.

Check out your options and decide what’s best for you.

treating every member with respect.

I take that responsibility seriously.

Our members trust us to keep their lights on, especially during difficult times, and I never want to lose sight of that responsibility. They aren’t just customers - they are the owners of the cooperative,” said Melton.

“I’d like to thank our members for the trust they’ve placed in me. It’s truly an honor to serve as Interim CEO. I want them to know that our employees are among the finest they’ll find anywhere. They work through storms, long nights, weekends, and holidays to keep the lights on, often sacrificing time with their own families to serve yours.”

He continued, “As we move forward together, my commitment is simple: to lead with integrity, remain focused on our members, and support our employees, ensuring that WFEC continues to be a cooperative our communities can be proud of for generations to come.”

Co-op Energy Sources Nationally, electric cooperatives use a variety of fuels to power members’ homes and businesses.

This diverse fuel mix supplies co-op members with the safe, reliable and affordable power they depend on.

9%

Hydro

1%

Other

36%

15%

Natural Gas

Non-Hydro Renewables

15%

Nuclear

23% Coal

2 • Current Light Flashes • August 2026 • Toll Free Outage Hotline: 844.OUTAGE1 (844.688.2431)

Neel and Killingsworth Attend National Youth Tour Two local students recently experienced the opportunity of a lifetime by attending the National Rural Electric Cooperative Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. Sponsored by West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC), they toured historic landmarks, monuments and memorials while learning about leadership, government, the cooperative difference, and how to “make their mark.”

This year was extra special as Florida and Washington State traveled together for the first time as the “WAFL” (Waffle) delegation, embracing a fun Waffle House theme and building friendships from coast to coast.

“Meeting people I will talk to for the rest of my life was a highlight of the trip,” said Berklee Neel, a Blountstown High School student.

“I realized how important a simple interaction can be.”

Participants also attended Youth Day, hearing from motivational speaker, Paralympic gold medalist, and author Mike Schlappi. His story of overcoming a life-changing accident inspired students to persevere through challenges.

“Hearing his story and getting to talk with someone who was shot by his best friend, and is paralyzed from the waist down, showed me that I shouldn’t let anything hold me back from achieving things in life,” said Logan Killingsworth, a student at Bethlehem School. 112474003 Both students said seeing the nation’s historic sites in person brought history lessons to life and strengthened their appreciation.

“This was such an amazing trip. I made memories, and new connections, from friends to people in important fields of work. I’ve been able to grow as a person and a leader just by experiencing the amazing this trip,” said Killingsworth.

The Youth Tour program is open to high school juniors whose parents or guardians Berklee Neel and Logan Killingsworth represented WFEC are members of West on this year’s National Rural Electric Cooperative Youth Florida Electric. Each Tour. high school in WFEC’s Students who will be high school service area selects juniors during the 2026–2027 a representative to compete for the school year can learn more opportunity to attend the National about the Youth Tour program Youth Tour. through their school guidance counselor this fall or by contacting “This trip has provided me with Candace Croft, Communications connections and friendships that will & Public Relations Coordinator, at last a lifetime and will help me in the ccroft@westflorida.coop. long run. It has benefited me in every way possible,” said Neel.

Monthly Efficiency Tip: August heat can put your air conditioner to the test, making it a great time to check your system’s air filter. A dirty, clogged filter restricts airflow, forcing your cooling system to work harder than necessary to keep your home comfortable.

That extra strain can reduce efficiency, increase energy use and contribute to unnecessary wear and tear on equipment.

Inspect your filter monthly during periods of heavy air conditioner use and replace it if it appears dirty. A clean filter supports efficient operation and can even enhance indoor air quality, helping you stay cool and comfortable during the hottest summer days.

3 • Current Light Flashes • August 2026 • Toll Free Outage Hotline: 844.OUTAGE1 (844.688.2431)

The Heat Is On: What Drives Your Summer Electric Bill August is one of the hottest months of the year, and that means air conditioners across West Florida Electric Cooperative’s (WFEC) service area are working overtime to keep homes comfortable. During periods of extreme heat, many members notice an increase in their electric bill and wonder what contributes to higher costs. 115030001 During summer months, air conditioning is the largest driver of increased energy use. As temperatures climb and heat index values exceed 100 degrees, cooling systems run longer and more often to keep homes comfortable.

Although many people don’t realize it, everyday habits can significantly impact how much electricity a household uses. Even if your routine stays the same, bills may increase because cooling systems have to work harder to offset higher outdoor temperatures. Small changes can help reduce that workload.

Keeping thermostats at the recommended setting of 78 degrees helps balance comfort and efficiency.

Raising the temperature by just one degree can reduce cooling costs by 3% to 5%, while increasing the setting by seven degrees when you’re away can save 10% to 15% annually.

WFEC Board of Trustees

DAVID TATUM

TIM ALFORD

JACKIE POOSER

JOHN ADAMS

DAVID CORBIN

GEORGE C. OWENS

RANDY BUSH

LANCE MEDLEY

MYRON HUDSON

WILL MELTON

District 1/President

District 3/Treasurer

Simple habits can help reduce energy use without sacrificing comfort. Keep blinds or curtains closed on sunny windows, use ceiling fans so you can raise the thermostat a few more degrees, and run ovens, dishwashers, and clothes dryers during the cooler morning or evening hours. Regularly replacing air filters and keeping outdoor units free of debris also helps your heat pump run more efficiently.

Understanding what drives summer energy use can help keep your home comfortable while controlling costs. Although hot weather naturally increases cooling demand, implementing smart thermostat settings and simple energy-saving habits can reduce unnecessary electricity use, ease the strain on your cooling system, and help keep your summer electric bills lower.

R ecipe of the M onth Apricot Salad Submitted by: Lynn Gosnell Submit your event by email clf@westflorida.coop. Visit the link below to view a list of events.

Find this recipe and more: www.westflorida.coop/recipes 4 • Current Light Flashes • August 2026 • Toll Free Outage Hotline: 844.OUTAGE1 (844.688.2431)

District 5/Vice President

District 7

District 9/Secretary

District 2

District 4

District 6

District 8

Interim Executive VP & CEO

Notifications Statement: Notice is hereby given that the West Florida Electric Cooperative Association, Inc., Board of Trustees regularly meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 1:00 PM, unless special circumstances warrant a change.

If a change is warranted, it could include changing the time or date of the meetings.

It is best to verify the details by calling (800) 342-7400. If you would like to address the Board of Trustees, please consult Board Policy 114 (located on the co-op website).

This Institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.