March 2026

CURRENT LIGHT

FLASHES

MARCH 2026 | VOL. 76 NO. 3 | www.westflorida.coop 2026 Youth Tour Winners Announced West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC) is proud to recognize the local students selected to participate in the 2026 Youth Tour program. Eight students from across WFEC’s service area took part in this leadership and educational experience. They are: Harmony Tillman, Altha School; Logan Killingsworth, Bethlehem School; Berklee Neel, Blountstown High School; Jamison Trolard, Chipley High School; Morgan Hunter, Cottondale High School; Kinsley Parker, Holmes County High School; Bryce Newton, Malone School; and Wilson Meyers of Grand Ridge.

The Youth Tour program provides students with a unique opportunity to

step outside the classroom and learn more about the electric cooperative that powers their homes and communities. Participants gain a deeper understanding of the cooperative business model, the history of cooperatives, and the importance of community involvement and leadership.

Through hands-on activities like mock legislative sessions, and other educational assemblies, students explore real-world topics related to energy, public service, and civic responsibility. 31827004 In addition to learning about the electric utility industry, students are introduced continued on page 2

I nside Page 2: Evans Retires with 30 Years of Service Page 3: Let’s Get Storm Ready Together Page 3: WFEC Assists Altha Junior Beta with Robotics Project Page 4: Heat Pump Rebates: Comfort that Saves

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

MARCH: Westville and Pittman Areas

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!

WFEC’s 2026 Youth Tour participants include (l-r) Bryce Newton, Malone School; Jamison Trolard, Chipley High School; Berklee Neel, Blountstown High School; Harmony Tillman, Altha School; Morgan Hunter, Cottondale High School; Kinsley Parker, Holmes County High School; Logan Killingsworth, Bethlehem School, and Wilson Meyers of Grand Ridge.

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.

to government procedures at both state and national levels. Youth Tour encourages students to become engaged by helping them understand how legislative decisions are made and how they can play a role in shaping the future of their communities.

The program also gives participants the chance to meet new people, build lasting friendships, and experience new places and perspectives.

WFEC has proudly participated in

the Youth Tour program since 1979, sending students to Washington D.C. and Tallahassee nearly every year and continuing ts commitment to investing in the youth of our communities.

Youth Tour winners receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., and a $1,000 college scholarship each. The alternate winner will receive a $500 scholarship.

A panel of judges who work in the electric utility industry selected WFEC’s Youth Tour winners at the cooperative’s headquarters on February 10 following an interview competition. Those winners are: Berklee Neel, Blountstown High School and Logan Killingsworth, Bethlehem School. The alternate winner is Bryce Newton from Malone School.

Evan Retires with 30 Years of Service After more than three decades of dedicated service to both his country and our cooperative, Roger Evans officially retired on January 22, 2026. Roger’s career with West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC) began on September 11, 1995, when he was hired as a mechanic.

He was promoted to Supervisor of Transportation in 2011, a role where he made a lasting impact.

His professional achievements set a high standard for others to follow. Evans was one of the first certified ASE mechanics in our area, demonstrating his strong technical knowledge and dedication to maintaining safe, reliable equipment

for the cooperative. His attention to detail and willingness to mentor others helped shape and strengthen our transportation department.

In addition to his contributions at WFEC, Roger proudly served 24 years in the National Guard. His military service included a year-long deployment to Iraq, participation in Desert Storm, and multiple domestic deployments focused on homeland security and humanitarian relief following hurricanes and other natural disasters.

Throughout his career, Roger earned the respect of coworkers and leadership through his strong

Trustee Election Ballots will be mailed March 13

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

work ethic and willingness to lend a helping hand wherever it was needed. 68102005 “Roger will be missed at the co-op.

It’s been a privilege working with him throughout my career. I hope he enjoys his retirement and is able to fish as much as he likes,” said Wayne Williams, VP of Engineering & Operations.

Let’s Get Storm Ready Together At West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC), we work year-round to strengthen the power grid so it’s ready when severe weather strikes. Crews routinely trim trees near power lines and replace aging poles with newer, more durable materials. Reliability is a shared effort, though. When members take a few proactive steps, we’re all better prepared to weather storms.

What to do: Have trees professionally trimmed. Trees are one of the leading causes of power outages. Regular trimming by a professional arborist helps prevent branches from falling on roofs, vehicles, or power lines during high winds. Be sure to keep trees clear of service lines connected to your home as well.

Secure loose outdoor items. Patio furniture, grills, trash cans, and decor can become dangerous projectiles in strong winds. Before storms arrive, secure or store loose items to protect your property and nearby power equipment.

Upgrade to storm resistant windows and doors. Storm-rated windows and doors can help protect your home from wind and flying debris, improve energy efficiency, and reduce long-term repair costs. 103351002 Additional storm-smart tips: • Assemble an emergency kit with flashlights, batteries, medications, water, and non-perishable foods.

• Keep phones and backup chargers fully charged when severe weather is forecast.

• Know how to report outages and bookmark the co-op’s outage map and reporting page or save the outage reporting number in your phone.

• Remember to never approach downed power lines - always assume they are energized and dangerous.

By preparing ahead of time and staying informed, we can minimize disruptions and recover more quickly when storms impact our area. WFEC is committed to doing our part to keep the lights on and with your help, we will be ready to power through whatever comes our way.

WFEC Assists Altha Junior Beta with Robotics Project West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC) was proud to assist the Altha Junior Beta Robotics team with a project for the State Beta Convention. These students created a scenario where a robot moved debris after a natural disaster in order to help linemen reach downed power lines. They said they were inspired by all of the linemen from across the country who came to help restore power after Hurricane Michael. The co-op was able to provide photos and information to the students about the power outages it experienced during the Category 5 storm, which helped support the project. Team members (l-r): Kara Melvin, Silas White, Maddox Powell, Aiden Stephens, and Wyatt Roberts. 109608002 3 • Current Light Flashes • March 2026 • Toll Free Outage Hotline: 844.OUTAGE1 (844.688.2431)

Heat Pump Rebates: Comfort that Saves

WFEC Board of Trustees

Upgrading your home’s heating and cooling system is one of the most effective ways to lower energy costs and improve year-round comfort.

That’s why West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC) offers heat pump rebates to help members invest in high-efficiency equipment while saving on electric bills.

Heating and cooling can account for up to half of a home’s total energy use, making efficiency especially important. High-efficiency heat pumps use less electricity while keeping your home comfortable in every season. Our rebate programs help make the upgrade more affordable.

WFEC’s energy experts are available to help you determine whether it’s time to upgrade, guide you through the purchasing process, and ensure your new system is properly sized for your home.

DAVID TATUM

Heat pump rebates are available for: Mini-Split Heat Pumps

TIM ALFORD

District 1/Treasurer

District 2/President

JACKIE POOSER

JOHN ADAMS

DAVID CORBIN

GEORGE C. OWENS

RANDY BUSH

VACANT SEAT

MYRON HUDSON

NATHAN BERRY

District 3

District 4

Available for any type of home • 15 SEER - $300 per unit and up • 16+ SEER - $350 per unit and up Dual Fuel Heat Pumps • $350 per ton • No minimum SEER required For more information or to speak with an energy expert, contact WFEC by calling 800-342-7400. Let us help you find the right solution for comfort, efficiency, and long-term savings.

As spring arrives, take advantage of milder temperatures to save energy. Open windows on pleasant days to bring in fresh air instead of running your HVAC. It’s also a great time to replace dirty air filters, which helps your system run more efficiently and improves indoor air quality. As daylight increases, turn off unnecessary lights and rely on natural sunlight. Small seasonal adjustments can reduce energy use, lower monthly bills and help keep your home comfortable as winter transitions into spring.

R ecipe of the M onth Hospital Pound Cake Submitted by: Ruth Bland

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 • March 2026 • Toll Free Outage Hotline: 844.OUTAGE1 (844.688.2431)

District 5/Vice President

District 7

District 9/Secretary

District 6

District 8

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.