{"id":32333,"date":"2021-04-01T07:30:00","date_gmt":"2021-04-01T11:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.westbendnews.net\/autonews\/?p=32333"},"modified":"2021-03-29T21:31:15","modified_gmt":"2021-03-30T01:31:15","slug":"1000-viewers-tuned-in-for-ppecs-85th-annual-meeting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.westbendnews.net\/autonews\/1000-viewers-tuned-in-for-ppecs-85th-annual-meeting\/","title":{"rendered":"1,000+ Viewers Tuned In for PPEC\u2019s 85th Annual Meeting"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative\u2019s (PPEC) 85th Annual Meeting of Members was held virtually this year due to COVID-19, premiering on Facebook and YouTube at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 20, 2021. More than 1,000 viewers tuned in to watch the meeting over the weekend to hear co-op updates, a recap of 2020, and election results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 2,100 members (19%) voted in PPEC\u2019s 2021 elections \u2013 the largest number of votes ever cast in the co-op\u2019s election history. All nine proposed changes to the co-op\u2019s Code of Regulations were passed with 90% of members voting in favor of the changes that would help the co-op operate in a more virtual environment for the future. A complete explanation of all nine passed changes can be found here: https:\/\/ppec.coop\/sites\/ppec\/files\/2021_elections\/PPEC-proposed-Code-Changes-Explanations-FULL-CURRENT-AND-FINAL-LANGUAGE-Jan.-2021.pdf<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Board election results were announced, with each board member elected to serve a three-year term:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Incumbent Tim Derck of Antwerp was re-elected to District 3 (represents Carryall, Crane, Benton, and Harrison Townships in Paulding County, Ohio). No candidates submitted petitions to run against Derck, so Derck was re-elected by affirmation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Incumbent Ken Niese of Ottawa was re-elected to District 7 (represents Monroe, Palmer, Liberty, and Greensburg Townships in Putnam County, Ohio).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New trustee Adam Schnipke of Fort Jennings was elected to District 8 (represents Perry, Jackson, Monterey, and Jennings Townships in Putnam County, Ohio; Marion Township in Allen County, Ohio). District 8 had an open seat with three candidates running for election after Doug Fortman\u2019s decision not to run for re-election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The election was run by a third-party company named Survey and Ballot System. The certified election results can be found at www.PPEC.coop\/85-Virtual-Annual-Meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Board Chairman Dr. John Saxton, Secretary-Treasurer Dr. Ron Black, and President and CEO George Carter reflected on 2020\u2019s challenges and successes, while looking ahead to the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis year\u2019s theme, \u2018Hope Isn\u2019t Canceled,\u2019 is important and fitting,\u201d said Saxton. \u201cIt says a lot about where who we are as a cooperative family. This has been a very challenging year for your co-op, but with our outstanding staff and dedicated board, we were able to achieve many of our strategic goals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As highlighted during the meeting, this included:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No rate increase in 2020 or in 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Net margins for 2020 were $5.6 million, exceeding budget expectations despite a decrease in sales due to the pandemic. More than $6 million was invested in electric plant facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The largest capital credits refund in co-op history: Nearly $2.2 million was returned to members last December via capital credits \u2013 this is proof of each member\u2019s ownership in the co-op.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PPEC replaced 528 poles, rebuilt 21 miles of line, and repaired the Fort Brown and Continental substations. Cecil Substation was rebuilt completely (a $2 million project).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Total system outage time was reduced to 59 minutes per member in 2020 \u2013 well below the goal of 100 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The result? Improved reliability, increased capacity for future growth, and shorter outage durations for the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carter began his remarks by painting an image of the co-op\u2019s challenging history, born out of the Great Depression and surviving World War II, countless ice storms, windstorms, tornadoes, and more during its 85-year history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOvercoming obstacles and surviving them is the co-op way, and it\u2019s in large part due to the dedication and resilience of our employees,\u201d Carter said. \u201cI want to personally thank each employee that works for PPEC. I know it was a difficult and fearful year, and I greatly appreciate the efforts each one of you put forth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carter recapped the years of experience the co-op has lost due to retirements, including Member Service Manager Renee Boss, Lineman Dennis Clark, and Operations Manager Ted Slusser.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI also want to thank Mr. Doug Fortman as he leaves the board. It\u2019s a challenge to replace all this experience and wisdom at the co-op,\u201d Carter said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking at rates, Carter explained that wholesale power prices from PPEC\u2019s Cardinal Generating Station \u201chave remained mostly flat\u201d but are beginning to increase due to transmission cost increases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMoving the power from our generating plants to our local substations is done over the transmission system,\u201d Carter explained. \u201cThe transmission system is like a big toll road \u2013 we must pay to use it. These costs have increased and are projected to continue increasing in coming years. They will impact future rates.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Board Secretary-Treasurer Dr. Ron Black reported that the cooperative \u201cperformed well financially\u201d in 2020, with PPEC\u2019s auditing firm of Bashore, Reineck, Stoller, and Waterman issuing an unqualified, or clean audit opinion. This means the financial records accurately reflect the business of the co-op.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saxton ended the meeting asking members to mark their calendars for Saturday, July 24, 2021, for PPEC\u2019s new COVID-friendly Member Appreciation Day. The event will be a family day of fun with entertainment and prizes for kids and adults alike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A $100 grand prize and fifteen $25 bill credits were drawn from those members who watched the meeting and left a comment. Winners of the credits were as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GRAND PRIZE $100 WINNER:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Danielle & Michael Wiesehan (Antwerp)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

$25 BILL CREDIT WINNERS:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elizabeth Gibson (Convoy)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dale & Helen Calvelage (Fort Jennings)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jay Wischmeyer (Columbus Grove)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jacob & Stephanie Litwiller (Cloverdale)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nichole & Troy Warnecke (Columbus Grove)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kevin Kettels (Continental)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

James & Laura Boesch (Cecil)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mackinzy & Jono Peterson (Middle Point)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crayton McCleery (New Haven, IN)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jeff Mumma (Payne)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Karen & Dennis Stachowiak (Miller City)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Steve & Michelle Kennedy (New Haven)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chad Crosby (Payne)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mary & Allan Gerding (Ottawa)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ruth Foppe (Ottawa)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To view the virtual annual meeting recording, visit www.ppec.coop\/85-Virtual-Annual-Meeting. The co-op\u2019s 2020 Annual Report, 2020 audit, and the certified election results can be found here as well. Those wanting more information can call the office at 800-686-2357.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative is proud to serve more than 12,900 members in Paulding, Putnam, Defiance, Van Wert, and Allen counties in Ohio, and Adams and Allen counties in Indiana. Since 1935, our not-for-profit model has allowed us to provide affordable, reliable, and safe power to rural areas with pride.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative\u2019s (PPEC) 85th Annual Meeting of Members was held virtually this year due to COVID-19, premiering on<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":32334,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"colormag_page_container_layout":"default_layout","colormag_page_sidebar_layout":"default_layout","nf_dc_page":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-32333","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.westbendnews.net\/autonews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/PPEC-board.jpg?fit=666%2C374&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2YQd9-8pv","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-04-27 06:03:44","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.westbendnews.net\/autonews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32333","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.westbendnews.net\/autonews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.westbendnews.net\/autonews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.westbendnews.net\/autonews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.westbendnews.net\/autonews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32333"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.westbendnews.net\/autonews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32333\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.westbendnews.net\/autonews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/32334"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.westbendnews.net\/autonews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32333"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.westbendnews.net\/autonews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32333"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.westbendnews.net\/autonews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32333"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}