Pedernales Electric Cooperative

WWW.PEC.COOP • POWER INTERRUPTIONS: 1-888-883-3379

New CEO John Hewa takes the lead PEC will rely on innovation to improve services PEC employees and members districts across the country. welcomed leading utility expert John His progressive approach also has D. Hewa as the Co-op’s new chief proved successful in earlier positions executive officer during the June as general manager for Talquin 22 annual meeting. Hewa greeted Electric Cooperative in Florida and members and spoke about today’s as director of utilities for the City of electric industry, new technology and Manassas, Virginia. plans for the Cooperative. Known for looking critically at “My mission is to work closely with every aspect of a business to improve members to understand what they are efficiency and customer service, Hewa experiencing is looking and how PEC forward to “We have access to new tools and can improve serving our service,” members. systems that can help us attain new Hewa said. “This levels of optimization,” said Hewa. He added really gets “We can use these tools to lower he was down to the impressed costs and raise the bar on operations opportunities with the that we’re and response.” Co-op’s building for tradition of the region and continued commitment to service and the communities that the Coreliability and also with efforts to op serves,” Hewa added during his maintain a balanced energy portfolio. message. “We’ve got to play a role in Hewa is known for his technical providing the tools and avenues to help experience and innovative, members achieve their goals.” collaborative approach, and he is a The Board’s decision and support of frequent speaker at national events. Hewa was unanimous. Most recently, he served as the vice “John impressed the Board with his president of research, engineering knowledge of new technologies that and technical services for the National can create efficiencies while improving Rural Electric Cooperative Association services,” said PEC District 3 Director (NRECA), the national group serving Kathy Scanlon. more than 900 not-for-profit rural “I am thankful for this wonderful electric co-ops and public power opportunity to help shape the future of

New CEO John Hewa introduced himself to PEC members and employees at the June 22 annual meeting. During his speech, Hewa voiced support for using new, progressive technology to provide reliable, low-cost service.

PEC by giving particular attention to member expectations,” Hewa said. “My goal is to have a long-lasting, positive impact on member experience. That’s one way PEC and all cooperatives can truly distinguish themselves from other electric providers.” Hear Hewa’s entire message online at www.pec.coop.

Get to know our new CEO After a nationwide search, John Hewa was selected as PEC’s new CEO. Previous Experience • Vice president of research, engineering and technical services at NRECA

www.pec.coop

• General Manager at Talquin Electric Cooperative, Inc. • Director of Utilities of City of Manassas, Va. Education • Licensed Professional Engineer • Master of Science in engineering

management, University of Tennessee • Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering, University of Tennessee Personal • Wife, Laura, and three daughters

Co-op Power August 2013 PEDERNALES ELECTRIC Texas ­­

17

Pedernales Electric Cooperative

WWW.PEC.COOP • POWER INTERRUPTIONS: 1-888-883-3379

Above: PEC members listen to our lineman’s rodeo team give a presentation on the annual competition and highlight the importance of personal protective gear such as hard hats. Left: Touchstone Energy®’s hot air balloon was one of the many family friendly attractions at the 2013 annual meeting.

Co-op celebrates yesterday, today and tomorrow at annual meeting More than 800 members and guests attended the Co-op’s June 22 annual meeting, which honored the Co-op’s long history and bright future. The annual meeting is our largest and most important event, bringing together members from across our service area. Members and their families enjoyed several activities including a hands-on historical exhibit, interactive conservation demonstrations and presentations from our award-winning lineman’s rodeo team. During the business portion of the 18

annual meeting, it was announced members re-elected incumbent Chris Perry of Dripping Springs and elected James Oakley of Spicewood to each serve three-year terms on the Co-op’s Board of Directors. During her remarks to members and guests, sitting Board President and District 3 Director Kathy Scanlon acknowledged the Co-op’s 75th anniversary and history, as well as our commitment to building our future based on the voices and interests of members. Additionally, PEC’s Interim Chief

Texas Co-op Power PEDERNALES ELECTRIC August 2013

Executive Officer Frank Skube gave a report highlighting key accomplishments last year, specifically reliability. “One of PEC’s most remarkable achievements for 2012 continued to be outstanding service reliability,” Skube said. “It’s not easy to stay at the top of any industry, but PEC employees deliver top-notch service year after year.” For a complete recap and video of the annual meeting, go online to www.pec.coop/annualmeeting.

www.pec.coop

Power of Community

Nearly 400 PEC members voted in person at the annual meeting, with a total of 18,332 votes cast overall.

Hands-on exhibits such as the Van de Graaff generator were enjoyed by children and adults.

Charles Moerbe of Dripping Springs won a $500 Kohl’s gift card.

PEC Community and Economic Development Representative Matthew Gonzalez gave Safe City presentations throughout the morning.

2013 PEC Board election results Total votes cast: • online • by mail • in person Meeting attendance:

www.pec.coop

18,332 5,741 12,206 385

843

District 4 Director • Chris Perry • Jimmy Skipton District 5 Director • James Oakley

9,673 8,410

15,184

James Oakley (left) will serve the Co-op’s District 5 and Chris Perry will serve District 4.

Co-op Power August 2013 PEDERNALES ELECTRIC Texas ­­

19

Pedernales Electric Cooperative

WWW.PEC.COOP • POWER INTERRUPTIONS: 1-888-883-3379

Show your life in the Hill Country! Enter our photo contest for a chance to win $500 In celebration of PEC’s 75th anniversary, we are looking for members’ photos representing their lives in picturesque Central Texas. All submitted photos (limit one per member) should be taken within the 8,100 square miles of PEC’s service area. All types of photography are encouraged, including personal interactions, community events and landscapes. Show us how you live, work and play in the Hill Country! The top 25 photographs submitted will be posted on 20

Texas Co-op Power PEDERNALES ELECTRIC August 2013

Facebook where your fellow PEC members, friends and family can ‘Like’ and vote for your photo. The top three photo entries will be announced later this September. Register and submit your favorite picture via our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/PedernalesCoop or go to www.pec.coop/75th. All photos must be submitted by Aug. 15. We look forward to seeing your photos and life in the Hill Country! www.pec.coop

Power of Community

A picture’s worth a thousand words PEC linemen represent U.S. co-ops in national ads

Photo contest details

Good photos can say a lot. A photo of a person with a warm smile and confident stance can convey friendliness and reliability — two traits PEC has always exemplified. That’s why we’re proud our linemen were selected to represent cooperative linemen throughout the U.S. in a national television and print ad campaign for Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives. Touchstone Energy® provides these materials to all its members — more than 700 rural electric co-op’s like PEC — which can

brand the national ads with their own logos. Shooting took place in April across PEC’s service area, and the stunning photos included staff and crews from our Oak Hill and Cedar Park districts. The resulting print and television ads made their debut in May at a National Rural Electric Cooperative Association conference. The ads will represent co-ops across the country, but you can view more photos featuring PEC linemen at www.togetherwesave.com

Submit photos by Aug. 15 via www.pec.coop/75th or www.facebook.com/ PedernalesCoop Prizes: 1st place – $500 2nd place – $200 3rd place – $50 Official contest rules are available online.

www.pec.coop

Co-op Power August 2013 PEDERNALES ELECTRIC Texas ­­

21

Pedernales Electric Cooperative

WWW.PEC.COOP • POWER INTERRUPTIONS: 1-888-883-3379

Faces of PEC Gerry Singleton has been with PEC since 2002.

Powering the Hill Country for generations to come Planning for the future is important to PEC — especially when that future includes the growing needs of Hill Country residents. “The infrastructure we build today will have to operate in the future,” said Canyon Lake District’s Construction/

Service Manager Gerry Singleton. “I was always taught to leave things better than I found them, and that is what I expect to do here at PEC.” Singleton’s commitment to service excellence at PEC began 11 years ago when he started as a B lineman

working to set poles, string wires and service lines. He honed his skills as a lineman and soon put that expertise to work in Canyon Lake. As the district’s construction/ service manager, Singleton now helps construct and lead projects that will bring PEC members the electricity needed to power their everyday lives. Earlier this year, he was instrumental in coordinating a two-day project in Canyon Lake converting 1,900 transformers along 122 miles of line. “We live in an area that is one of the fastest growing in the country, and my job consists of overseeing the scheduling and construction of overhead power lines and service jobs,” Singleton said. “We have set our standards high here at PEC, and our members deserve the best. We try to maintain a quick turnaround from the time construction is scheduled until we set a meter at an energized location. This takes coordination and communication between departments, and I am that bridge.” Singleton is a devoted family man who enjoys spending time with his wife of 25 years and their six children. When he’s not hard at work at PEC, Singleton enjoys lifting weights, golfing and assisting his ministry.

Co-op highlights and industry news Stop by for a cupcake! Our 75 Days of Listening ends this month! Stop by and celebrate, enjoy giveaways and eat a cupcake between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. at these PEC offices: Liberty Hill Aug. 7 Bertram Aug. 14 Marble Falls Aug. 21 You can also share online through Aug. 31 at www.pec.coop/75th. 22

Scam targets PEC members — protect yourself from fraud PEC members recently have been targeted by phone and email scams. Individuals falsely posing as PEC employees contacted members threatening to disconnect service if an immediate payment was not made. Victims of the fraud were instructed to purchase a prepaid debit card and then call back to provide the card number. Anyone with information about this scam or who might be a victim

Texas Co-op Power PEDERNALES ELECTRIC August 2013

should contact their local law enforcement agency. Remember: • PEC employees will never ask you to purchase a prepaid debit card. • PEC uses an automated system to make recorded courtesy calls regarding past due balances. If you are contacted by someone claiming to be a PEC employee, verify the call by contacting 1-888-554-4732. Representatives are available Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. • PEC submits aged delinquent balances to MPB Credit Bureau. Verify MPB calls at 1-800-550-7902. www.pec.coop

Power of Community

Beat the

Peak

Members embracing summer program begun in 2011

We began Beat the Peak in 2011 as a way to help members understand the power of shifting even small amounts of electric use away from the peakuse times between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Electricity PEC buys during those hours costs nearly twice as much as that purchased during other times, so reducing electric use during those hours could also reduce the Co-op’s costs associated with power. When you also monitor your electric use with our free MyUse Energy Analyzer, you can get a better idea of your costs and adjust your consumption. Then, doing things like raising your thermostat three degrees during peak-use times or shifting pool pump use to after 6 p.m. could help you see a lower PEC bill, too. There’s another reason, however, for reducing peak-time use. PEC is a member of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the organization that manages the entire electric grid for most of the state. ERCOT is charged with overseeing the flow of electricity throughout much of Texas and ensuring there are adequate

Green from the ground up

sends out conservation notices to its member utilities. Our Beat the Peak program is one way we help ERCOT keep the Texas grid stable during the summer. Enroll in Beat the Peak today and you’ll be entered into a drawing for an Energy Star washing machine!

All members enrolled at the end of the Beat the Peak program, Sept. 30, will be entered into a drawing for an Energy Star washing machine. reserves to avoid rolling blackouts. When temperatures climb into the 100s for extended periods, ERCOT

Participating is easy: • Log in to your PEC account on www.pec.coop, find the ‘Preferences’ tab, and click the ‘Beat the Peak’ button to register. • You can also call our toll-free number or stop by any office to have an agent enroll you. • Receive our periodic email messages with easy tips. • Look for your own ways to Beat the Peak. • Tell your friends and neighbors about the program and encourage them to enroll!

Building blocks for efficient living A home’s structure serves as its front line of defense against the elements. By starting with energy-wise building materials, you can better protect your home and save money on energy costs. It’s been estimated that structural insulated panels can save 50 percent in energy costs over houses built from conventional materials, and straw bales and insulating concrete forms have been recognized for their energy-saving properties.

Tips for more energy-efficient living

www.pec.coop

Learn about more energy-efficient materials and how they work at www.home.howstuffworks.com.

Co-op Power August 2013 PEDERNALES ELECTRIC Texas ­­

23

Pedernales Electric Cooperative

WWW.PEC.COOP • POWER INTERRUPTIONS: 1-888-883-3379

Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Audit THERMOSTATS

For more summer energy savings, start with what you can easily control — your thermostat.

1

Note at what temperature you typically leave your thermostat set. For summer energy savings, it is recommended you set your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher.

2

Automatically adjust your thermostat without sacrificing comfort by installing a programmable thermostat. Review when you’re typically away from home, and program your thermostat to a higher temperature during those times.

3

Evaluate your home’s energy use by logging in to your online PEC account and checking our MyUse Energy Analyzer to see how adjusting your settings affects your bill.

In this yearlong series, PEC will take you through a 12-step energy audit — as recommended by the Department of Energy — to help show where you can save at home! Learn more about programmable thermostats at www.energy.gov/energysaver/articles/thermostats.

60 SECONDS FOR

SAFETY Take a minute to make your life and home safer

24

Texas Co-op Power PEDERNALES ELECTRIC August 2013

It’s never too early to teach children about electrical safety. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 70 percent of child-related electrical accidents occur at home, when adult supervision is present. Warn children not to play with electrical outlets, and install outlet safety covers to protect toddlers and young children from accidental shock. Also teach children that electricity and water do not mix. Help prevent water-related accidents by unplugging electronics and appliances near water sources.

www.pec.coop