Pedernales Electric Cooperative welcomed more than 750 people at its annual meeting Saturday, June 23, in Kyle. The annual meeting is the Co-op’s largest and most important event, bringing together members from across PEC’s 8,100-square-mile service area to participate in the democratic cooperative election process, learn more about Cooperative business and see new ways to save energy and money. Members re-elected Cristi Clement, Larry Landaker and Dr. Patrick Cox as directors and voted in favor of amendments to the Co-op’s Articles of Incorporation. Election results were announced at the conclusion of the annual meeting. The incumbent directors each will serve another three-year term on the Board.

The approved amendment eliminates an Article VIII, Section 1 mandate and adds the payment of interest and principal as an allowable use of the general reserve. Any changes to the Co-op’s Articles of Incorporation, a legal document filed with the state that defines the organization, purpose and highest-level business rules of the Cooperative, must be approved by members.

During the meeting, PEC Board President and District 1 Director Cristi Clement gave a brief overview of the Board’s accomplishments. “I am very proud of my fellow directors for their work this past year,” Clement said during her address. “Among other things, together we established a Cooperative-wide ethics policy and a code of conduct for directors. We worked hard to achieve alignment with our new CEO while he builds our workforce and the PEC organization. … Members deserve the best that is in each of us.”

PEC’s Chief Executive Officer RB Sloan gave a report on 2011 activities, plans for the future and the importance of the cooperative difference. “This past year, we produced our first budget compiled by staff, distributed $13.4 million in member capital credits and continued our tradition of exceptional member services and reliable electricity,” Sloan said. “The Co-op also reduced controllable expenses by $7.4 million — that’s our lowest cost-per-customer since 2006. (This) recognizes the significant effort and commitment that staff and the Board have made to give members the best rates.”

Sloan said that the Co-op anticipates this year’s capital credits distribution will be similar to last year’s, and that PEC is implementing new technology for even greater efficiency. “This is the year of the cooperative at PEC,” Sloan said. “I ask everyone — the Board, our employees and you — to join us. I am convinced that PEC’s best days are ahead.”

Following Sloan’s message, attendees were shown a PEC-produced video that highlighted the cooperative difference — the fundamental way PEC differs from for-profit electric utilities. The video touched on the seven cooperative principles that guide PEC, paying special attention to the principles related to democratic member control and governance, members’ financial participation through capital credits and PEC’s commitment to its members and growing communities.

The next regularly scheduled Board meeting will be Monday, July 16, at 10 a.m. at PEC’s E. Babe Smith Headquarters Building in Johnson City.

2012 PEC Board election results

At the conclusion of PEC’s June 23 annual meeting, Ryan O’Connor of Survey & Ballot Systems, which managed the election, announced 21,961 total votes were cast, including 14,789 by mail, 6,846 online and 326 in person at the annual meeting. There were 1,563 more votes cast this year compared to last year’s 20,398 voting total.

Board of Directors election results were as follows:

•District 1 Director

o 11,489 votes: Cristi Clement

o 5,347 votes: James P. Halbert

o 4,458 votes: Mark Mayfield

•District 6 Director

o 9,011 votes: Larry Landaker

o 6,403 votes: Linda Kaye Rogers

o 3,508 votes: Michael Donegan

o 2,097 votes: Mike (Doc) Cantu-Withoff

•District 7 Director

o 18,472 votes: Dr. Patrick Cox

Member voting results for the Articles of Incorporation amendments:

•13,376 votes in favor

•3,355 votes against