JANUARY 26, 2026
MINUTES
A Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Newberry Electric Cooperative, Inc. was held at Newberry Electric Cooperative, Inc., located in Newberry County, South Carolina, on Monday, January 26, 2026.
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chairman Johnnie Dickert, followed by Trustee Barbara Bishop’s invocation, with the determination of a quorum present.
The secretary reported that the following Board Members were present:
Barbara C. Bishop Leon Fulmer, Jr. J. Craig Kesler
M. Blake Brigman Melanie B. Hawkins William Lominick, Sr.
Johnnie L. Dickert Douglas E. Hipp John W. Nichols
Also present were President and CEO G. Keith Avery, Attorney Thomas Pope, III, Office Services Manager Carla Boozer, and Executive Assistant Tara Chapman.
Chairman Dickert recognized Ms. Boozer for earning the NRECA Supervisor and Management Development Program certificate.
Chairman Dickert requested that the meeting go into executive session. President Avery, Mrs. Chapman, and Mrs. Boozer left the meeting at this time. Once the meeting returned to normal session, President Avery and Mrs. Chapman returned. No voting or actions took place during the executive session.
The meeting continued with the reading and approval of the December 2025 Regular Board Meeting Minutes. Trustee Nichols made a motion to accept the meeting minutes as emailed. The motion was seconded and approved with no objection.
Committee Chairman John W. Nichols reported that the Finance Committee held its regular meeting on Monday, January 19, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. The committee members are
Trustees Johnnie Dickert, Craig Kesler, William Lominick, and John Nichols. All were present along with President and CEO Avery.
Chairman Nichols reported that the Finance Committee reviewed the December 2025 cash disbursements. All expenditures were in order, and the committee presents this report as general information. The board's consensus was to accept the report.
Attorney Thomas H. Pope, III, requested that the meeting go into executive session. Trustee Hipp made a motion to go into executive session. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Trustee Hipp made a motion to come out of executive session. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously. No voting or actions took place during the executive session.
Attorney Pope reviewed the Board Resolution Approving Updated Service Rules and Regulations. He explained that this resolution would need to be approved by the Board of Trustees to allow for updates and changes to the service rules and regulations, including the restructuring of the electric rate schedules and the revised line extensions policy, to be effective on March 1, 2026. Trustee Hipp made a motion to put the updated Service Rules and Regulations into effect and to approve the Board Resolution. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
President and CEO Avery reviewed the activities and meetings that he attended in the month. Which included the Credentials and Election Committee and the Nominating Committee meetings.
President and CEO Avery reviewed the December 2025 operational data in detail. The amount of write offs for December 2025 is $3,421.55. Trustee Hipp made a motion to accept this amount. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
President and CEO G. Keith Avery reviewed the Engineering & Operations and Operational Support reports for December 2025. Substation maintenance at Cannons Creek, Kiswire, and International Paper has been completed, as have inspections of downline reclosers at the Long Lane and Riley substations. Underground lines and the overhead
retirement have been completed on Key Island Road. McCall Thomas has completed the work order inspections for work completed in July through September 2025.
President Avery discussed the Directors Conference and confirmed that six Trustees would attend online.
President Avery went over the details for PowerXchange, scheduled for March 2026. Seven Trustees expressed interest in attending the event.
President Avery reminded the Board that Co-op Day at the State House will be held on February 19, 2026. Seven Trustees confirmed they would attend.
President Avery informed the Board that the NRECA Washington Legislative Rally will be held in April 2026. Five Trustees expressed interest in attending the event.
President Avery discussed the invitation to Korean American Day and invited the Board to attend.
Applications for the Washington Youth Tour and the Cooperative Youth Summit are now open, with a deadline of March 1, 2026.
President Avery reviewed Central Electric Power Cooperative, Inc.’s January 7, 2026, Board Meeting Summary, and January 14, 2026, Executive Meeting summaries.
President Avery informed the board that NRECA’s Annual Business Meeting will be held on March 10, 2026, and that voting delegates and a voting alternate must be selected. Trustee Hipp made a motion to have President Avery serve as the voting delegate and Trustee Nichols serve as the voting alternate. The motion was seconded and approved with unanimous consent.
President Avery informed the Board that wellness screening will be performed at the office on February 5, 2026.
President Avery informed the Board that the Member Advisory Committee meeting will be held in February 2026.
The next scheduled Regular Board Meeting will be held on Monday, February 23, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.
There being no further business and without objections, Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert adjourned the November Regular Board Meeting at 7:44 p.m.
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SECRETARY APPROVED
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CHAIRMAN