The Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Newberry Electric Cooperative, Inc. was held at Newberry Electric Cooperative, Inc., located in Newberry County, State of South Carolina, on Monday, October 27, 2025.
Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m., followed by Trustee James Craig Kesler’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
Douglas E. Hipp Melanie B. Hawkins William Lominick, Sr.
Johnnie L. Dickert John W. Nichols M. Blake Brigman
Also present were President and CEO G. Keith Avery, Attorney Thomas Pope, III, and Executive Assistant Tara Chapman.
The Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes of the September 2025 Regular Board Meeting. Trustee Hipp made a motion to accept the minutes as emailed. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
Committee Chairman John W. Nichols reported that the Finance Committee held its regular meeting on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, 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 cash disbursements for September 2025. All expenditures were in order, and the committee is presenting this report as general information. The board's consensus was to accept the report.
Attorney Thomas H. Pope, III, stated that he did not have an Attorney Report.
President and CEO Avery requested that the meeting go into executive session. Trustee Hipp made a motion to go into executive session. The motion was seconded and approved by a unanimous vote. After some discussion, Trustee Hipp moved to come out of executive session. The motion was seconded and passed by a unanimous vote. No voting or actions took place during the executive session.
President and CEO Avery reviewed the month's activities. He attended the Legacy Member Executive Summit and the Regions 2 & 3 Meeting.
President and CEO Avery reviewed in detail the operational data for September 2025. The amount of write offs for September 2025 is $1,297.12. A motion was made by Trustee Hipp to accept this amount. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
President and CEO G. Keith Avery reviewed the Engineering and Operations, and Operational Support reports for the month. He stated that due to deterioration, pole change outs on Boundary Street are in progress. Electrical lines are being replaced on Highway 176 because the underground line has been damaged.
President and CEO Avery confirmed attendance at the ECSC Winter Conference, scheduled for December 2025. Eight Trustees plan on attending the event.
President and CEO Avery reviewed the details of the NRECA Directors Conference, scheduled for January 2026. Eight Trustees plan on attending the Conference.
President and CEO Avery reviewed the Central Electric Power Cooperative, Inc., October 7, 2025, G20 Meeting and the October 13, 2025, Special Called Board Meeting Summaries. The summaries were accepted as information.
President and CEO Avery informed the Member and Public Relations Committee that a meeting date will need to be determined for the Committee to meet in November 2025. After some discussion, the Committee members agreed to meet on November 12, 2025, at 2:00 P.M.
The Trustees reviewed the information on Capital Credit payouts for 2025. Trustee Hipp made a motion to accept the amount of $295,675.03 to be paid to the coop members in the form of a capital credit check in December 2025. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
President and CEO Avery informed the trustees of the Christmas Party and the Kids’ Christmas Party.
President and CEO Avery went over the details of upcoming system updates to the Board Effect application used to access the Board Meeting materials.
The next regular Board Meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 24, 2025.
There being no further business and without objections, Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert adjourned the October Regular Board Meeting at 7:57 pm.
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SECRETARY APPROVED
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CHAIRMAN