2024 Annual Meeting of the Members
After what seemed like a never-ending rain, the weather cleared up just in time for United Electric’s 2024 Annual Meeting of the Members in Luthersburg. To kick off the meeting, Safety Coordinator Kacie Means and Manager of Operations Shane Farrell presented a high voltage demonstration for a large crowd of our members. Journeymen Linemen Jonathan Frazier and Kyle Heffner used various safety equipment to show potential dangers and the power of electrical equipment. Line Superintendent Branden Bauer also assisted with the demo by helping to answer questions and interject potential dangers that he had faced during line work.
Board Chairman Stephen A. Marshall called United Electric’s Annual Meeting to order shortly after the high voltage demo concluded. Steve welcomed approximately 275 members, families, and guests. Steve went on to introduce and thank the rest of the board members, as well as special guests Steve Brame, President and CEO of Allegheny Electric Cooperative (our generation and transmission supplier) & PREA (our statewide organization) and Pete Fitzgerald, Vice President of Public Affairs and Member Services for PREA and United’s acting Judge of Elections.
Conducting the Business of the Cooperative
Eileen Pisaneschi, our Board Secretary/Treasurer read the Official Annual Meeting Notice that appeared in the May issue of Penn Lines, which was mailed to all members of United Electric on May 1, 2024. “The Annual Meeting will be held May 15, 2024, at 7:00PM at the Brady Township Community Center in Luthersburg, PA,” read Secretary Pisaneschi. “At the time of the mailing there were 16,175 members of the Cooperative.”
After motions from the floor to approve the 2023 Annual Meeting Minutes and 2023 Financial Reports, Chairman Marshall expressed his and the Board of Director’s gratitude to all the members who have continually supported the cooperative, as well as President & CEO Brenda Swartzlander for keeping United Electric on track. He also thanked the management and employees of United Electric for their dedication and service to the cooperative and its members.
A Hard-Earned Goodbye
Brenda thanked everyone for their attendance and re-affirmed the cooperative spirit: “United Electric is owned by those we serve. If you drive by the co-op or stop in, you’ll see those very words on the sign on the front of the building. All of us at United take that statement to heart. It is at the core of every decision made by your Board of Directors.
I typically report on the business of the cooperative, letting you know how we’re doing financially and going over our operations. This year getting my thoughts together was a little more challenging. I will be retiring in January of next year, so this will be my last opportunity to address you at our annual meeting.
This has certainly caused me to do some reflecting, and I thought back to the first time I had the opportunity to address you. That was in 2003 and the theme was ‘Back to Basics.’ I talked about what a cooperative is and guiding principles cooperative principles. After 47 years with United, I think you can believe me when I say I absolutely believe in, embrace, and love the cooperative program. I feel so tremendously blessed to have been a part of it.”
Brenda reminded everyone of the seven cooperative principles: voluntary and open membership; democratic member control; member economic participation; autonomy and independence; education, training and information; cooperation among cooperatives; and concern for community.
“They say the more things change, the more they stay the same. We’ve certainly been through a lot of changes in my time here, but I am thankful that the important things have remained the same. It really does go back to basics. We’re here to serve our members. That’s our commitment to you. Those are still the basics. I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve you. Thank you.”
Brenda closed with many thanks: “I’d also like to thank all the employees for assisting with tonight’s meeting, and I’d also like to thank the Board for their never-ending commitment and support in all things United.”
Election Results
Acting Judge of Elections Pete Fitzgerald reported the results of the Director election in District # 2. Because there were no petitions to run for the board in District # 2, in accordance with the Cooperative Bylaws, incumbent Director Eileen Pisaneschi was re-elected.
Having concluded the business of the cooperative, Charmain Marshall asked for a motion for adjournment. Steve thanked Brenda for her tenure and he, once again, thanked all the members for their continued support of the cooperative. “Please continue to show your support for your co-op in any way you see fit.”
