Sumner-Cowley Electric Cooperative hosted its 81st Annual Meeting on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at Wellington High School. Hog Wild Pit Bar-B-Q catered the lunch for nearly 500 members, guests and employees.
Special guests at the Annual Meeting included Ron Estes, Kansas Fourth District Congressman; Cheryl Helmer, State Representative for the 79th Kansas House District; Tara Mays, KEC Manager of Government Relations; and Suzanne Lane, KEPCo Executive Vice President/CEO who took the stage to address Sumner-Cowley’s members.
“Suzanne did a wonderful job of describing how KEPCo and Sumner-Cowley work together to provide reliable and affordable electricity to our members.” said Cletas Rains, Sumner-Cowley CEO and General Manager. “We are thankful to her and all of our special guests for taking time to join us on a very important day for our Cooperative.”
The Annual Meeting provides Sumner-Cowley the opportunity to honor the children of its members for demonstrating excellence in the classroom and in the community. This year, 27 local students were awarded scholarships totaling $13,500. Since 2011, Sumner-Cowley has awarded more than $80,000 in scholarships to the children of its members.
Two local students were recognized as winners of the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. and the Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp in Colorado, respectively. Representing Sumner-Cowley at this summer’s Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. will be South Haven High School junior Rachel Turek. Representing Sumner-Cowley at the Youth Leadership Camp in Colorado will be Udall High School junior Isaac Patteson.
Three of Sumner-Cowley’s Board of Directors positions were up for election this year, with each incumbent running unopposed. John Whittington of District 1, Jeff Swanson of District 2 and Ronald Jeffries of District 5 were all reelected to their posts on the Board of Directors.
The Annual Meeting was capped off by a prize drawing which saw Cooperative members collect gifts, door prizes and $4,000 in free electricity.
“Sumner-Cowley would like to thank our members and guests who attended the meeting,” said Rains. “We hope everyone enjoyed the event and we appreciate their help in making our Annual Meeting a success.”