2024 Annual Meeting wrap-up

For the first time since becoming Walton EMC’s top executive, CEO Ron Marshall was able to deliver his yearly report on the state of the cooperative in person.

That’s because the 2024 annual meeting was held as a hybrid at North Oconee High School with members participating by drive-through or attending the business meeting. In all, 1,928 members took part in the co-op’s business and received their attendance prize.

“As an engineer, I take special pride in reporting that your co-op again achieved more than 99% reliability,” said Marshall during his address. “Walton EMC is now receiving nuclear energy from Plant Vogtle units 3 and 4. These new units will help power Walton EMC customer-owners with reliable, clean energy for the next 60 to 80 years.”

Marshall also informed members that even though nearly 80 cents of every dollar they pay on their bill goes to buy energy, they still spend less than the average Georgia consumer.

In his report, Board Chair Michael Lowder introduced Walton EMC’s new commitment statement, “Investing Energy in What Matters Most.”He explained that one of its meanings is “your co-op cares for the community it serves.”

As examples, he highlighted $8.8 million in Operation Round Up donations that have been invested in the community since the program began in 1998 and $367,000 given through last year’s School EmPOWERment Grant program.

In other business, members elected Wayne Lester to replace retiring District 4-Eastville Director Jim Whitley. Board members Jason Sidwell representing District 2-Rutledge/Bostwick/ Apalachee and Sam Simonton representing District 8-Bold Springs/Gratis were re-elected for three-year terms.

2024 Annual Meeting Recap

• The 2024 Annual Meeting was a hybrid event where members could choose to drive through or attend the business meeting in person. This format gave members a chance to meet and talk face-to-face with the co-op’s directors.
• Separate entrances for drive-through and in-person participation meant members had fast access and convenient parking no matter how they chose to participate.
• WEMC employees helped members navigate the traffic patterns at North Oconee High School near Bogart, the site of the 2024 annual meeting. Meetings were formerly at the Monroe American Legion, the Walton County Ag Education Center and Walton EMC’s headquarters near Monroe.
• James H. Powell of Monroe received the keys to the annual meeting grand prize pickup from CEO Ron Marshall. Both drive-through and in-person participants were eligible for all the day’s prizes that also included 200 $50 bill credits.

More information about this year’s meeting can be found at waltonemc.com/annualmeeting.

Find out more about our board members here