San Patricio Electric Cooperative members and guests came together September 13 for a celebration of community, connection and the cooperative difference. With 169 registered members and a total of 252 attendees, the Annual Meeting was filled with energy, gratitude and plenty of reasons to be proud of the co-op we call our own.

From the moment registration opened, it was clear this meeting was about more than business— it was about community. Members visited with employees, learned about the co-op’s services and enjoyed fellowship.

This year’s meeting also featured Innovation Station, a STEM activity center. The hands-on displays gave children and adults alike the chance to explore electricity and science in an engaging way. From plasma globes to interactive exhibits, Innovation Station was a highlight of the day and reflected SPEC’s commitment to sparking curiosity in the next generation.

In his first Annual Meeting address as General Manager, Freddy Wolff introduced himself and shared his excitement to serve as both a leader and a neighbor.

Mr. Wolff reminded members that “what’s powerful about co-op service, is that it stretches far beyond the electricity running through our power lines. Our business model allows us to put people ahead of profits and our members are at the heart of every decision we make.”

He went on to share examples of employees volunteering in the community and teaching electricity safety in schools. He shared how the co-op supports volunteer fire departments and other community organizations. And he explained that the co-op invests in the future of our communities through its scholarship and Youth Tour programs.

Members were quick to echo those words with their own stories, many of which highlighted co-op employees going above and beyond their job duties. Members shared stories about employees stopping to help them on the side of the road or watching them pull over to put out grass fires. Others spoke of the co-op’s service reliability and how quickly employees worked to restore power when there were outages.

These stories reflect what makes cooperative service unique. SPEC’s reputation is not only built on safe and reliable electricity, but also on the dedication and compassion of its employees—neighbors helping neighbors in the truest sense.

Election Results

Leading up to the Annual Meeting, members elected directors to represent Districts 3 and 4. The results of this election were announced at the Annual Meeting.

• District 3 (three-year term): Tryne Mengers received 706 votes and was elected to serve.

• District 4 (three-year term): Daren Wilder received 474 votes, while Michael Tynan received 284 votes. Wilder was elected to serve.

Out of 8,030 eligible voters, SPEC received 770 ballots in total—537 paper ballots and 233 online ballots—for a participation rate of 9.59%.

Celebrating Cooperative Spirit

In addition to elections and inspiring stories, the Annual Meeting also brought excitement with door prizes. A total of 57 prizes were awarded to members and 10 prizes to kids, adding to the fun of the day.

As the meeting concluded, members left with more than door prizes—they left with the reassurance that SPEC is more than a utility. It is a cooperative rooted in community, strengthened by employees who care deeply about the people they serve and driven by a mission that stretches far beyond its power lines.

Prize winners:

Freeman Ranch, James Johnson, Omarie Kinman, Katherine Bland, Jaime Alvarado, Belinda Vasquez, Ernest Perez, Esteban Puentes, Paula Handy, Mary Alice Ramirez, Jimmy Jones, Leo Franco, Bill Parmley, Rindle Wilson, Nathan Kime, James Hartoon, Sandra Vasquez, C V Nelson, Triple C Ag, Nancy Sugarek, Donald Fudge, David Cave, David Ross, Charlene Parker, John Cook, Duane Hanson, Robert Paz, G E Elliff, Denise Schmidt, Jim McDonald, Carl Pickett, William Gorman, Porfirio Longoria, Adela Meredith, Douglass McIntosh, John Walton, Quentin Fudge, Frank Gonzales, Sugarek Dairy, Alejandro Martinez, Robbin Reininger, Louella Pointer, Benny Chavirria, Denise Solis, David Sparkman, Barbara Burnett, Rose Garza, Jesse May, Sijefredo Loa, Jessica Burkett, Phyllis Borroum, John Matthews, Ronald Bennett, Toribio Tavarez, Misty Zemanek, James Stewart, Steve Courtright

Door prizes were donated by many of our generous vendors, which are greatly appreciated! Door prizes were donated by: Texas Electric Cooperatives, Urban Electrical Services, SENERGY, Lamar Technical Services, M&A Technology, Dods Communications, Gateway, LogoStore USA, TechServ and San Patricio Electric Cooperative.