2025 Annual Meeting minutes and financial report

Little River Electric Cooperative, Inc. held its 2025 membership meeting on September 13, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. by real-time virtual meeting streamed on its Facebook page.

Chad Stone, CEO, gave a brief introduction to the meeting. Mr. Stone then called Travis Burriss, Chairman of the Little River Board of Trustees, to speak.

Mr. Burriss called the 85th Annual Meeting of Little River to order. Eric Gray, Line Technician, gave the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was given followed by the National Anthem. Mr. Burriss called for a motion to approve minutes from the 2024 Annual Meeting. There were no proposed changes, and the motion carried. Mr. Burriss thanked the eight Trust Board members overseeing the disbursement of “Operation Roundup.” These members are Jean Smith, Karen McMullan, Linda Kidd, Ruthie Edmunds, James Bach, Janice Hawthorne, Marissa Busbee, and John Calhoun. Mr. Burriss also thanked all members that participated in rounding up their bill to the next dollar. This money goes to help members that need help regarding emergencies. In the last year, the Cooperative had $33,000.00 contributed to these funds and was able to assist 23 members and organizations throughout the community. He further thanked those that donated money at the voting sites for the annual food drive.

Mr. Burriss recognized and thanked the Credential and Election Committee members who worked with general counsel in this year’s elections. These members are Chris Vaughn, Jimmy Bowen, Dale Wilson, Chuck Nash, and Ellen Schumpert.

Mr. Burriss thanked and recognized the Cooperative’s current Board of Trustees for their commitment and service to the Cooperative. These members are: Terry Ricketts, Vice President, District Five; Patsy Wilson, Secretary-Treasurer, District Six; Wayne Erwin, District Seven; Mike Johnson, District Three; Sandy Campbell, District Two; Mike Price, District Four; and Travis Burriss, serving District One. He then thanked all of the members for their participation in the voting process. He then thanked the employees for their hard work and dedication to the Cooperative. He then turned the meeting over to Mr. Stone.

Chad Stone, CEO, thanked the Trustees, employees, and the members of the Cooperative. He spoke on statistics of the Cooperative: that we have 2200 miles of line serving over 15,000 meters serving Abbeville, Anderson, Greenwood, and McCormick Counties, with the Cooperative having a staff of 34 employees. He then spoke of the devastation of Hurricane Helene and the destruction it caused to our system, which was the worst in the history of the Cooperative. Nearly 200 workers came together to help the Cooperative.

He spoke on the overwhelming generosity of the members of the Cooperative and how proud he is of the employees and volunteers that helped with the aftermath of Helene. We have completed all documentation for any available aid from FEMA to help with the costs of Helene. This year, Little River will return over $300,000 in capital credits in the form of bill credits and checks to those who received electricity in 1999 and 2024. Despite the devastation of Helene, Little River’s system grew during calendar year 2024, with 338 meters added to the system.

Mr. Stone then shared some of the accomplishments and milestones Little River achieved during the last year. Little River won the business of the year through the Abbeville Chamber of Commerce. The area we serve has seen substantial growth in the industries we serve. A few of the new industries are Aerofoam, MikroTechnik in McCormick. Stoll Industries and Westwood Sheds are expanding. The Cooperative sponsored two local students, Ellie Tope of Crescent High School and Madelyn Hawkins of John De La Howe Governor’s School, for the Washington Youth Tour. They then spoke on their experiences on the Washington Youth Tour. The Cooperative also sponsored Miyalah Norman of Abbeville High School on the Cooperative Youth Summit in Columbia.

He spoke on safety being our number one priority. The Cooperative tracked no lost time due to accidents. At last year’s meeting, we reported an all-time record of just over 1,700 days. We are now over 2,050 days without a lost time accident. This year, we were awarded the President’s Safety Award.

Mr. Stone concluded by speaking on the changes the Cooperative has undergone in the last year and how proud he is of the Cooperative. He further extended his gratitude to the members and employees of the Cooperative. Mr. Stone then turned the meeting over to John Andrew Bishop, general counsel for the Cooperative.

Mr. Bishop informed the Cooperative that proper notification was submitted to all members in advance of this meeting as required by the Cooperative’s bylaws and the South Carolina Code. A notice was also posted on the website. He further informed the Cooperative that it has met its member quorum of at least 5% of all registered members voting and participating in the annual meeting. He then discussed the meeting of the Credential and Election Committee which occurred at his office on August 7th. This year, the Cooperative has one district up for reelection, which is District Three. There are two candidates for this seat, Michael A. Johnson, the incumbent, who has met all qualifications to run for reelection, and Jessie E. Hammonds, Jr., who has met all qualifications to run for this seat. Mr. Bishop then turned the meeting back over to Board President Travis Burriss.

There was no unfinished business or new business. Mr. Burriss, upon motion and second, adjourned the meeting.

PATSY W. WILSON
Secretary-Treasurer