CULLMAN, Ala. – Despite a little morning drizzle, hundreds of members of the Cullman Electric Cooperative (CEC) assembled at Northbrook Baptist Church on Saturday, Sept.16, 2023, for its 87th Annual Meeting. While the meeting is an opportunity for fun and fellowship, perhaps more importantly, it is also a general checkup of how things are going, what the cooperative is focusing on in the coming year and where the cooperative is headed in the future.
In a brief speech, CEO Tim Culpepper recalled how much the CEC has grown in just a few short years – and with growth, he said, comes growing pains.
“Our operations department has seen a substantial increase in the number of work orders it receives. That includes everything from staking and construction for new services, regular requests to connect and disconnect existing electrical services, security lights, pretty much everything that we do,” he said, explaining how COVID-19 supply chain complications as well as Mother Nature herself did little to help the longer wait times.
“We know it has been frustrating for many of our members,” said Culpepper. “That frustration has been felt by our employees, who take great pride in their work serving the membership.”
On a more exciting note, members who previously weren’t able to secure Sprout broadband internet may be one of the now 7,000 members who will be eligible in its 2024 expansion plan; the expansion plan is largely thanks to a $1.7 million congressional appropriation secured by Congressman Robert Aderholt, R-Alabama, and a $4.5 million ADECA grant secured by Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, and Rep. Randell Shedd, R-Fairview; Rep. Corey Harbison, R-Good Hope; and Rep. Tim Wadsworth, R-Arley.
Culpepper expressed his gratitude for the team that keeps the CEC running.
“Although the last year has been challenging, we have grown and learned along the way. I am so proud of our employees for working together to overcome the obstacles in our path. Working with great people makes my job easier,” he laughed, also taking a moment to thank the members who keep CEC in business. “Thank you, our members, for making our jobs possible. We remain dedicated to building and operating the best rural electric system in the country!”
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