Over the years, our cooperative has seen tremendous change. We’ve moved from an era defined by poles and wires to one guided by technology, innovation, and evolving member expectations. The way we deliver power, communicate with our members, and plan for the future has transformed, but one thing has never changed: our mission to serve with integrity and care.

To our members, thank you for your trust and support. You are the reason Pee Dee Electric exists, and your partnership continues to inspire the work we do every day. To our Board of Directors, I am grateful for your wisdom, leadership, support, and steadfast commitment to the cooperative principles that guide our every decision. To our current and past employees, the true heart of this organization, thank you for your dedication, professionalism, and unwavering service. You have always risen to the occasion, whether restoring power after major storms or finding new ways to improve our members’ experience. I also want to thank the families of our employees for their sacrifices when their loved one was away from home, working overtime necessary to restore power to our members, whether it be a storm requiring “all hands on deck” or the occasional outages that occur.

Last, and most important, I want to thank my family for their support throughout the years. I am truly blessed. My wife, Geneca, had to manage our family and home countless times while I was overseeing storm restoration efforts or attending meetings away from home. This was especially challenging in the early years of my CEO tenure when our children were young. She did what I probably could not have ever done!

As I step aside, I do so with the utmost confidence that your electric cooperative is in very capable hands. Our team is strong, our foundation is solid, and our vision for the future is bright. The challenges ahead will be met with the same spirit of innovation and cooperation that has carried us through for decades. I have no doubt that Pee Dee Electric will continue to grow and thrive in the years to come.

On a personal note, I’m looking forward to slowing down a bit – spending more time with family and doing the things that have taken a back seat to storms, meetings and deadlines while serving as your CEO. I hope to fish and play golf more. I’m ready to trade in my daily schedule for time spent with family, quiet mornings on the water or in a deer stand and time to enjoy the simple things in life.

As I retire, I do so with a full heart and deep appreciation for all the relationships, memories, and experiences this career has brought me. Thank you for allowing me the privilege to serve. It has been an incredible journey, and I will always remain proud to be part of the Pee Dee Electric family.

Thank you, members.