Representatives of Pedernales Electric Cooperative gathered with local elected officials and community leaders for an evening of discussion and partnership building at a Government Leaders Appreciation Dinner hosted by the Cooperative on October 22. The event united PEC Board members and management with community representatives from PEC’s Kyle, Canyon Lake and Oak Hill districts.

PEC General Manager Juan Garza, who recently returned to work at the Cooperative after recovering from surgery, opened the evening by welcoming guests and introducing Board members present at the event. Board President and District 6 Director Larry Landaker delivered the evening’s keynote address, which focused on continued growth within PEC’s service area and initiatives the Cooperative has launched to reinforce its commitment to members.

“This new Board is fully committed to open records, open meetings and transparency,” Landaker said. “We are committed to placing PEC on a track of fiscal responsibility and accountability. Board members are highly engaged in the business of managing the best interests of our members.”

Landaker informed the local leaders of system upgrades within their areas and addressed the upcoming distribution of up to $4 million in capital credits, which will appear as credits on eligible members’ November bills. Landaker also touched on the Cooperative’s plans to review its bylaws, as well as the benefits of PEC’s revised rates structure and Line Extension Policy, and the successful results of the 2008 audit.

Landaker praised PEC’s MyUse Energy Analyzer, the Cooperative’s newest online innovation as an “exclusive tool for our members that has generated very positive feedback.” Landaker continued, “This is just the beginning of a fully interactive journey between our members and the Cooperative through our web site.” MyUse allows PEC members to view their electric use in kilowatt-hours and dollars each day, so they can better monitor and manage their monthly electricity consumption, budget accordingly and reduce their environmental impact.

The event also highlighted the benefits of cooperative relationships between PEC and local leaders, such as Karen Ford, Hays County Commissioner for Precinct 4. Ford was dealing with a significant oak wilt problem in her precinct and reached out to PEC for assistance regarding tree trimming policies. PEC’s Assistant General Manager Jeanell Davis and Oak Hill District Manager Trey Grebe were able to promptly answer the commissioner’s questions, providing her with the necessary information to inform her constituents about planting guidelines and PEC’s tree trimming services.

“I feel a lot more confident that I have a face-to-face contact with PEC and that I have a great policy that I can share with Hays County,” Ford said. “We know that we’re working together to manage our oak wilt problem.”

PEC held GLAD dinners throughout its service area and continues to work to reinforce community connections.

“We think it’s important for the policy makers, planners and leaders within PEC to know that we are working on behalf of all our members to ensure we have reliable and affordable electricity,” PEC District 7 Director Dr. Patrick Cox said. “We also are looking to meet the needs of our communities and our members for the future. This is an essential partnership we want to foster throughout our tenure as Board members.”