The Regular 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, March 30, 2026.
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chairman Johnnie Dickert, followed by Trustee Melanie Hawkins’ 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
Melanie B. Hawkins
William Lominick, Sr.
Johnnie L. Dickert
Douglas E. Hipp
John Wayne Nichols
M. Blake Brigman
Also present were President and CEO G. Keith Avery and Executive Assistant Tara Chapman. Attorney Thomas Pope, III was absent.
The meeting proceeded with the Reading and approval of the February 2026 Regular Board Meeting Minutes. Trustee Nichols made a motion to approve the meeting minutes as emailed. The motion was seconded and approved without objection.
Committee Chairman John W. Nichols reported that the Finance Committee held its regular meeting on Monday, March 23, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. The committee members are Trustees Johnnie Dickert, William Lominick, Craig Kesler, and John Nichols. All were present, including President and CEO Avery.
Chairman Nichols reported that the Finance Committee reviewed cash disbursements for February 2026. All expenditures were found to be in order, and the committee is presenting this report as general information. The consensus of the board was to accept the report.
Due to Attorney Thomas H. Pope, III’s absence, there was no Attorney Report.
President and CEO Avery reviewed the meetings, events, and activities in which he participated during the month, including meetings with Central Electric Power Cooperative, Inc., as well as attendance at its Annual Meeting.
Mr. Avery then requested an Executive Session. Upon motion by Trustee Brigman, seconded and unanimously approved, the Board entered Executive Session. No actions were taken during this time. Following discussion, upon motion by Trustee Brigman, seconded and unanimously approved, the Board returned to Regular Session.
President and CEO Avery reviewed the February 2026 operational data in detail. The amount of write-offs for February 2026 is $2,012.03. Trustee Brigman made a motion to accept this amount. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
President and CEO Avery reviewed the Engineering & Operations and Operational Support reports for the month. He reported that the power transformer at the Belfast Substation has been replaced. Additionally, sectionalizing equipment has been installed on lines served by the Prosperity and Fairview Substations to enhance system reliability and improve restoration times.
President and CEO Avery discussed the details of the upcoming 86th Annual Meeting of the Members scheduled for April 1, 2026.
President and CEO Avery reviewed the information for the NRECA Washington Legislative Rally scheduled for April 26-28, 2026. Four Trustees expressed interest in attending the event.
President and CEO Avery reviewed Central Electric Power Cooperative, Inc.’s meeting summaries for the February 23, 2026, G20 Committee and the February 5, 2026, Executive Committee.
President and CEO Avery read the Thank you letter that was received from John Frick, ECSC Senior Vice President for Public Safety thanking the individuals from Newberry Electric Cooperative, Inc. for attending the Co-op Day at the State House event.
President and CEO Avery discussed the upcoming ECSC Summer Conference that will take place in June 2026. Nine Trustees expressed interest in attending the event.
President and CEO Avery reminded the Board of the Lineman Appreciation Luncheon that will be held on April 16, 2026.
President and CEO Avery reviewed Central Electric Power Cooperative, Inc.’s meeting summaries for the March 16, 2026, FAR Committee, March 17, 2026, G20 Committee, and the March 18, 2026, Annual and Board.
President and CEO reviewed the updated Trustee and Attorney Benefit summary that was approved at the February 2026 Regular Board Meeting.
President Avery reviewed a flyer for The Newberry County Hospital Foundation's 2026 Friends of the Foundation Gala, requesting a sponsorship. After some discussion, Trustee Brigman made a motion to sponsor the event. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
President and CEO Avery informed the Board of the Trustee Association Conference that will be held in August 2026. Seven Trustees expressed interest in attending the event.
President and CEO Avery informed the Board of the Sponsorship request that was received from the City of Newberry. Trustee Hipp made a motion to table this request as information at this time. The motion was seconded and approved by unanimous consent.
President and CEO Avery went over the Chapin We Care Sticky Open event sponsorship request. After some discussion Trustee Brigman made a motion to contribute to the event as a hole sponsor. The motion was seconded and approved by unanimous consent.
President and CEO Avery informed the Board of the Federated Insurance Renewal Proposal Report that will need to be approved by the Board. Trustee Brigman made a motion to accept the Federated Insurance Renewal Proposal Report. The motion was seconded and approved by unanimous consent.
President and CEO Avery informed the Board that the April 2026 Regular Board Meeting and the May 2026 Regular Board Meeting dates conflict with upcoming conferences and holidays. After some discussion, the Trustees determined that the April 2026 Regular Board Meeting will be held on April 22, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. and the May 2026 Regular board meeting will be held on May 26, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.
President and CEO Avery informed the Board of a Lee Electric contractor who has been diagnosed with a serious illness. He shared that NEC employees have contributed funds to assist the contractor’s family with medical expenses and requested that the Cooperative consider matching the amount raised. Trustee Lominick made a motion to match the funds raised by employees. The motion was seconded and approved by unanimous consent.
The next scheduled Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held on Wednesday, April 2026, at 6:30 p.m.
There being no further business and without objections, Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert adjourned the March Regular Board Meeting at 8:22 p.m.
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SECRETARY APPROVED
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CHAIRMAN