ANNUAL MEETING RECAP — PART 1

B ack in late April, we had the plea-sure of hosting the 2021 Annual Meeting at our La Junta office. This

was the second year in a row we had to do so virtually and hopefully it will be the last! Based on the Colorado Country Life publi-cation schedule, the May issue deadline had already passed so this month was the first chance I had to provide a recap.

Normally, an annual report would be published both hardcopy and online prior to the event. And, historically, unaudited financials spanning a 5-year period were published until I changed that practice in 2019 to reflect fully audited figures.

At the meeting, I shared that the 2020 Annual Report would unfortunately be delayed. The reason was our new external auditors had some specific inquiries regarding depreciation transactions orig-inating back to at least 2004 and equity classification back to 2008. As such, these current auditors, and our Chief Financial Officer (CFO), needed additional time to retrace the steps of past CFO’s and auditing firms during the periods in question. I am impressed and pleased with the new auditing firm’s diligence and detail in ensuring we have the most accurate statements – even if it means going back over decades to meet that commitment.

That all said, I will provide a detailed follow-up next month and instead focus on some of the non-financial information. First and foremost, the election of District 2 and 6 Directors was held with Lawrence Brase retaining his seat and Merlin Rushton converting his recent Board appointment to a fully member-elected position. Governance continuity has served our cooperative well and will undoubtedly continue to do so.

I started my annual address by expressing how we operationally adjusted to the pandemic and proudly kept a strong “busi-ness as usual” approach throughout. Graphs were shown depicting how our member-ship has steadily grown by hundreds of meters over the last decades — that is, when other electric cooperatives have experi-enced declines. This has resulted an overall trending of increased kilowatt hour sales. We had a notable demand for new service construction and our line maintenance and system improvement efforts strengthened our system overall. A few moments were spent highlighting staff members and our scholarships recipients. I had the chance to again emphasize our primary objectives — reliability, cost effectiveness, member rela-tions and financial strategy.

We did receive several questions regarding the Eads clerical office closure (our operations warehouse will continue as usual.) I relayed that our only (part-time) Member Services Representative (MSR) resigned. With every vacant position, we do a cost-benefit analysis. We were in the process of seeking a full-time MSR position in La Junta and, since walk-in traffic was already on a decline prior to COVID-19 at all offices, not backfilling the Eads part-time MSR was the best approach. It is an example of how we try to be cost effective to maintain stable rates and best serve our entire membership. As always, we have 24/7/365 service at www.secpa.com or on the SmartHub app.

SECOM continued to steadily grow its customer base. It finished building out three communities with fiber-to-the-home (Holly, Springfield, Las Animas) and started a fourth

BY JACK JOHNSTON CEO

JACK JOHNSTON

[continued on page 8]

Director Election Results CONGRATULATIONS! Board Directors Merlin Rushton (District 6) and Lawrence Brase (District 2) were re-elected for three-year terms.

Lawrence BraseDistrict 2 represents Bent County“I sincerely appreciate the membership vote and support. I will always strive to ensure your confidence in me is meaningful and that all members continue to benefit from our great electric cooperative and broadband subsidiary.”

—Lawrence Brase

Merlin Rushton District 6 represents Prowers County

“Thank you very much to my district and all the membership for allowing me to serve our cooperative. It is a trust I take seriously and I will work very hard to keep both electricity and broadband a source of pride in southeastern Colorado.”

—Merlin Rushton

7COLORADO COUNTRY LIFEJUNE 2021

YOUR CO-OP NEWS

(Pritchett). It also brought initial phases into Swink. I did share that certain assets in the Westcliffe area, previously acquired in 2016, were divested at a financial gain. Such action will provide both a strategic and economic advantage on a going-forward basis. Net income, equity growth, customer experience and network enhancements are currently the main focal points.

Overall, 2020 was a solid operational year for both companies. Stay tuned for the Annual Meeting Recap — Part 2 in July for even more details. As always, you don’t have to wait for an annual meeting as ques-tions and/or comments are always welcome anytime, year around at info@secpa.com.

MEET THE LEADERSHIP SERIES ROB THAYER – CHIEF CUSTOMER OFFICER, SECOM

Unlike its electric cooperative parent, SECOM is actively engaged with industry competition on a daily basis. The only way we succeed is by differentiating ourselves. In fact, Rob’s job title and corresponding responsibilities were specifically designed to emphasize this commitment to our market-place. He is responsible for all marketing,

sales, customer service and network oper-ations — all the primary customer touch points — and he has a great support team. His Sales Manager oversees Account Executives who are driving new revenue. The Customer Experience Manager coordi-nates all advertising, website, social media, retention/winback programs. The Customer Service Supervisor ensures accurate billing with a Billing Coordinator that makes sure the Customer Service Representatives are answering all general inquiries. The Network Operations Manager focuses on service reliability supported by a team of Network Technicians and Engineers along with Tier I/II/III Technical Support Representatives.

Rob obviously has tremendous responsi-bilities, but he is used to wearing big shoes. Rob owned and operated the successful Ark Valley Internet (AVI) for 10 years until SECOM purchased it in 2015. He then joined us as Chief Marketing Officer until his current role evolved. Prior to AVI, Rob gained valuable experience with AT&T along with various other technology compa-nies on the front range. He is a proud Las Animas native and a graduate of Colorado

State University -Pueblo, so was happy to have his entrepreneurial drive ultimately return him to the Arkansas Valley to be near family. He and his wife, Kim, reside in La Junta raising 7-year-old Emma while their oldest, Megan, is chasing her dreams in Denver. Rob is an avid golfer, sports fan and private pilot who does a lot of work on restoring small aircraft. Rob is a subtly effec-tive leader but always bringing a practical viewpoint to discussions and often with some enjoyable humor. He is analytical, reliable and demonstrates a can-do atti-tude — only some of the reasons why he is charged with one of the most critical roles in our company.

Joe Self Retires

Rob Thayer – Chief Customer Officer, SECOM

Joe Self began his almost 30 year career with SECPA as a journeyman lineman and most recently was warehouseman at SECPA’s Springfield location.

At a ret i rement celebration held in Joe’s honor, he commented that “time slips by quickly.”

Joe is an avid guitarist, playing in a band with son, Austin and daughter, Albany.

Joe and his wife, Penny, are looking forward to spending more time with their grandchildren and playing golf.

If you find your name in this issue as follows (WIN* your name, your account number), please contact Southeast Colorado Power Association at 719-384-2551 or 800-332-8634 to receive a credit on your next power bill.

Last month’s winner was Donald Thys.

You Could Be A Winner This Month

[continued from page 7]

8 COLORADO COUNTRY LIFEJUNE 2021

YOUR CO-OP NEWS

Congratulations 2021 Scholarship Winners

SECPA $1,000 Scholarships

JOLIE BOND Homeschool

Parents – Miles & Brianne Bond

WESTON BUHRLa Junta High School

Parents – Daniel & Kellie Buhr

D’NEIL DOYLEWalsh High School

Parents – Vic & Staci Doyle

Tri-State Generation and Transmission $1,000 Scholarship

HATCH NELSONEads High School

Parents – Sam & Denise Nelson

Basin Electric $1,000 Scholarship

SHELBY ECKLas Animas High SchoolParents – Darrin & Julie Eck

Walk-in Services No Longer Available at SECPA’s Eads Office Payments may be made by phone, deposited in the drop box or mailed. Or visit www.secpa.com for online options using SmartHub, a free tool that allows you to manage payments, view usage and much more. WIN*CARROLL STEEN 1906020000

Please call 719-384-2551 or 800-332-8634 Monday - Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for all account questions or to make a payment. Call 719-384-2551, 24/7/365, to report an outage or safety issue.

You Could Be A Winner This Month

SECPA offices closed July 5 in observance of

Independence Day

TEANNA SHARPEWalsh High School

Parents – Danny & Kimila Sharpe

KIELEY STEGMANPritchett High School

Parents – Marcus & Jozy Stegman

9COLORADO COUNTRY LIFEJUNE 2021

YOUR CO-OP NEWS

JAMES, N RJAMES, SHERMAN DJAMES, TOMJAMES, WINDON LJAMES & JAMES BROSJAMISON BROTHERSJAMISON CONST COJANUARY, ERNEST YJANUARY, M AJAPHET, J WJARAMILLO, TONYJAY, ROBERT HJEFFERY, JAMES HJEFFREYS, HAROLD WJEFFREYS, JAMES RJRJEFFREYS, JIM BJENKINS, C JJENKINS, DAVIDJENKINS, THOMASJENNINGS, BERNICE CJENSEN, CARLJENSEN, CRIST EJENSEN, N CJEPPESEN, JENSJERBY, F L

JESSER, ELZADAH FJESSER, HENRYJESSER, RUBEN PJETT & DEEDS HARDWAREJOHANNES, ALBERTJOHANNES, ELMER HJOHANSEN, DETLOFJOHANSEN, JOHNJOHN MARTIN ANCORAGEJOHNSON, ARTHUR WJOHNSON, BENJOHNSON, BENNIEJOHNSON, C WJOHNSON, CHARLES JJOHNSON, EDITHJOHNSON, H CJOHNSON, J EJOHNSON, JOHN SJOHNSON, KENNETH DJOHNSON, LINDAJOHNSON, LLOYD MJOHNSON, LORAN HJOHNSON, MARION JJOHNSON, MARK AJOHNSON, O W

JOHNSON, OSCARJOHNSON, PIRLEYJOHNSON, ROSIEJOHNSON, RUSSEL JJOHNSON, VIRGILJOHNSON ESTAE CARLJOHNSON ESTATE HARRYJOHNSTON, J HJOHNSTON, JOHN IJOHNSTON, WESLEYJONES, BILLY DJONES, BRYANJONES, CARL EJONES, CHARLIEJONES, DEANJONES, EDNAJONES, ERICJONES, FRANKJONES, GERALDJONES, HAROLD GJONES, HARRY NJONES, HORACE AJONES, IRENE GJONES, JEANETTE HJONES, JEROLD C

JONES, JOHN FJONES, LA VALLEJONES, LENA CJONES, LEONJONES, NORAJONES, O EJONES, RAYJONES, RAYMONDLJONES, SAM RJONES, TENNIEJONES, VERNONJONES, VICTORJONES, WILLIAM TJONES, WM HJORDAN, CLEVEJORDAN, LAWRENCEJORDAN, LEOJORDAN, V KJORDON, VINAJUDD, BARBARA AJUDD, HOBERT OJUDD, RALPHJUDD, SAM JRJUDD. ULA ZJUDD ESTATE SAMJUNG, EDKAHRE, C JKAISER, L WKALMA, GERALD WKARNEY, EUGENE KKASZA, MIKEKAUFFMAN, J WKEEN, KATIEKEENER, JOHNNYKEITH, D VKELLER, HENRYKELLER COMM CENTERKELLEY, A CKELLEY, CECILKELLEY, E LEEKELLEY, EARL JRKELLEY, GEORGE WKELLEY, JACK BKELLEY, NOLANKELLEY, RALPH AJRKELLY, E HKELLY, ELIZABETHKELLY, GEORGE WKELLY, JAMES CKELLY, LILLIEKELLY, WILLIAM LKELLY HARDWARE COMPANYKELSEY, RALPHKENAGY, RALPHKENDALL, CHARLESKENNEDY, FRED WKENNEY, MAURICEKENWORTHY, W SKERCHEVAL, E EKERFOOT, LEONARDKERN, ALBERT HKERN, PEARLKERN, WILLIAM AKERR, H LKERR, HARVEKERR, NOEL EKERR, RALPH RKERR, WYLIEKERR ESTATE W OKERSEY, A LKERSHNER, DARRELLKERSHNER, E BKERSHNER, RICHARD BKESTER, V TKESTERSON, RICHARD LKESTERSON, ROYKETTERMAN, ISAAC MKIBEL, LOUIS M

KIEFER, LESLIEKIENITZ, FREDKIM 1ST BAPTIST CHURCHKIM BARBER SHOPKIM COMMUNITY CHURCHKIM ELEVATORKIM MERCHANTILE COKIM OIL COMPANYKIMBALL, DONALD CKINCAID, PAUL TKINCAID, WILLIAMKINDER, RAYMOND RKING, G LKING, HALKING, L UKING, LAWRENCE LKING BROS SHOWKINGSLEY FRANKKINGSTON, HURLEYKINISTON, JOHN JKINSLOW, TOMKINTIGH, H MKIOWA COUNTY DEPT OF PUBLICKIOWA COUNTY ELCTKIOWA COUNTY PRESSKIOWA COUNTY RELIEF OFFICEKIRBY, ISABELKIRBY, MARTINKIRBY, W CKIRK, JESSE RKIRK, ROYKIRKBRIDE, ANNA DKIRKPATRICK, MARTHAKISER, J OKISER, LLOYDKITCHEN, BARNEY AKITTERMAN, JOEKITZMILLER, R ]DKLETT, RICHARD CKLETT, RICHARD HKLINGE, BESSIE MKLINKERMAN CECILKLINKERMAN DON DKLOPFENSTINE, HERMANKLUSMAN, DANKNAPP, HOMER AKNIGHT AND CO HARRYKNIGHTON, W MKNOLLENBERG, WILLIAM LKNOTT, LLOYD JKNOWLES, JUDSON TKNUDTSON, HENRYKOCH, BERNARD HKOCH, CLARA JKOEHN, JACOB IKOELLER, WILLIAM JKOHN, FRANK JKOM & GET ITKONKEL, ELDENKONKEL, GEO EKONKEL, KEITHKONKEL, ROSCOEKONKLE, O GKOUNS, CHARLES BKOWALSKY, MELVIN JKREIE, HERBERT EKREMER, CLAUDEKRIEGER, LORENZKRIEN, D KKROLL, ARTHURKRUEGER, CHARLES LKUCERA ESTATE FRANKKUHLMAN, HENRYKULP, I BKUNAU, DWIGHT LKUNAU, JAKEKUNAU , RAYMOND F

KURTZ AND RICHMONDKYSAR, ALVIN WLA COST, CLEO DLA COST, LESTER ELA ORANGE RAYLA RUE HOTELLACKEY, BILLLACKEY, J HLACKEY, VIRGILLACKNER, RUDOLPHLACY, GEORGELAIR, LOYD HLAIRD, DOLORES LLAMAR AIRPORTLAMAR FARMSLAMAR LUMBER COLAMBORN, J CLAMLE, KENNETH CLAMSON, ELIZABETH BLANCASTER, AMBROSELANCASTER, JULIUS MLANCE, DAVI ELANCE, ORENLAND, R LLANDRUM, MURRAY ELANE, CHARLES RLANE, J ELANE, LESIER ALANGDON, CHARLESLANGFORD, DEELANIER, ALFRED JLANTZ, SHERMAN RLAPAR, EDLAREAU, MARTIN GLARREW, BUDLARREW NARVEY ALARRICK NEWTLAS ANIMAS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLLASCOR, M ELASCOR, WILLIAM LLASH, EDWIN LLAUPPE ,F ALAVELY, JACK ALAW, JOHN WLAW FARMS AND CATTLE COLAWRENCE, A JLAWRENCE, RAYLAWSON, HOMER HLAWSON RANCHLAWYER, LURA ELAY, ANICE VLAY, BOBLAYTON, DOUGLASLAYTON, JACKLE PLATT, ROBERT BLEACH, LEACHLEASE, EUGENELEASE, ROSS MLEASURE, JAMES ELEATHERMAN, A MLEE, A RLEE, BERTLEE, DON RLEE, ROLLIN VLEFFEL, JOE MLEFFERDINK, JOHNLEHENBAUER ,GILBERT WLEIKAM, ALBERT LLEONARD, WILLIAM CLEPEL, GEORGE DLEPEL, STANLEYLEWELLEN W SLEWIS, CHARLES NLEWIS, PAULINELEWIS, RAYMONDLEWIS, ROGER PLEWIS, ROY ALEWIS, RUTH A

LEWIS, AUCTION R PLIESEN, THOMAS HLIGHT, HOUSE CHURCHLIGHTNER, FRANK ELIGHTNER, JACK TLIGHTNER, JOHN HLIKE, JESSE RLIKE, JOELLIKE, JOHNLIKE, TOMMYLIMBACH, JUDDLINCOLN, FANNIE MLINDAUER, CHARLES OLINDHOLM, CARL VLINDHOLM, HANNAHLINDLEY, J WJRLINDT, AUGUSTLINDT, SAMUEL SLINK, LIDA KLINSACUM, CLAUDELINSACUM, WARREN GLINVILL, ALICE ELINVILLE, W SLINVILLE ESTATE EDLIPPOLDT, ELMERLIPPOLDT WILLISLITKE, G GLITKE, T DLITKE, TEDLITTLE, ELLENLITTLE, ROBERT ELITZ, MARIELIVERS, J CLOCK, JOELOCKE, GEORGE RLOCKLIN W ELOEFFLER, HENRY RLOEFFLER, STANLEY RLOEHR, K VLOFLIN, R GLOGAN, DALELOGAS, CHARLES JLOGES, CLARENCELOGUE, PAULLOHREY, L WLOMASNEY, MINNIE LLONG, GARLANDLONG, KENNETHLONG, ORANLOOKABAUGH, C ELOOMIS, F HLOOMIS, FLOYD LLOOMIS, HENRY FLOPEZ, ANDYLOPEZ, ESEQUELLLOPEZ, JENNIELOPEZ, JIMLOPEZ, PETELOSEY, WILBURLOUTHAN, MILTON VLOVE, GEORGELOVE, PERRY ALOVE, RALPHLOVETT, ELLERY DLOWDER, J MLOWDER, LIZZIELOWDER, MARSHALLLOWE, M ELOWE, PAULLOWE, ROBERTLOWE, WALTERLOWE ESTATE KENNETHLOWER, ROY FLOWERY, DEWEYLOWMAN, WALTER TLOWRY, LON DLOYD, GENE MLOYD, GLENLOYD RALPH

UNCLAIMED & UNCASHED CAPITAL CREDIT CHECKSContact us if your name is listed. If you recognize a name, contact them and ask them to contact us at 719-384-2551. This list will continue in the next several CCL issues.

10 COLORADO COUNTRY LIFEJUNE 2021

YOUR CO-OP NEWS