Cooperative Principles in Action

MLEC Hosts 85^th Annual Meeting and Humphreys County District Meeting

(October 7, 2024 – Waverly, TN) – Meriwether Lewis held its 85^th Annual Meeting and Humphreys County District Meeting on October 3 where members heard from board members, viewed MLEC’s annual report and received door prizes. Humphreys County Board Director Andy Porch, whose seat was up for reelection, ran unopposed. Therefore, no election was held with Porch retaining his seat.

MLEC Humphreys County Director Jessie Wallace called the district meeting to order, and Attorney John Lee Williams served as temporary chairman, who presided over the meeting held at Waverly Central High School. Hickman-Patterson American Legion Post 34 represented by Post Commander Louis Lomber and Veteran Services Officer Glen Hing presented colors for the Pledge of Allegiance. Pastor Daron Brown from Waverly Church of the Nazarene led the invocation.

Members saw MLEC’s 2024 Annual Report Video, which highlighted service commitments, progress over the past year, reliability upgrade plans, community involvement, and a Meriwether Lewis Connect update. MLEC CFO Blake Harper reported the electric cooperative’s most recent audit and healthy financial standing. Three Board Directors were also recognized for their years of service: Hickman County Board Director Johnnie Ruth Elrod (15 years), Lewis County Board Director Bill Webb (25 years) and Perry County Board Director Ronny Averett (10 years). TVA North Region Customer Relations Manager Lynn Huffstetler and Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association CEO Mike Knotts spoke and updated members about each of their organizations.  MLEC’s new brand and logo were also unveiled for the first time.

Students from our five-county service area were also recognized (all pictured below). Lewis County High School Senior Jaxon Fite and Perry County High School Senior Ellie Ulmer represented MLEC at the Youth Leadership Summit in Nashville last spring and received photo books highlighting their experience. The seven delegates of the Washington Youth Tour Short Story Contest were also recognized for their winning stories and accomplishments. Those include East Hickman High School Senior Sage Clendenion, Hickman County High School Senior Lilli Istre (Not Present), Lewis County High School Senior Jaxon Fite, Perry County High School Senior Kari Byrd, McEwen High School Senior Jacob Brown (not present), Waverly Central High School Senior Bailey Hickman and MLEC’s overall Short Story Contest Winner Houston County High School Senior Charlsie Strech (not present).

Door prize winners were Wanda Culp– one-year membership to the Nashville Zoo; Gail Rosson- bird feeder camera; Ralph Williams- drill set; Marilyn Lagan– Patio Heater; Glen Hing–turkey fryer; Joyce Carter– KitchenAid Mixer; and Dwight Corbitt- iPad donated by MLConnect. All meeting attendees received a tumbler decaled with the new MLEC logo.

“All of us at Meriwether Lewis thank the members for attending and participating in our 85^th Annual Meeting and Humphreys County District meeting,” said MLEC President and CEO Keith Carnahan. “It is an honor to serve you with power and broadband. Every day we strive to deliver the essential services that make your life more comfortable.”

Members get a first look at MLEC’s new brand during annual meeting

(October 4, 2024 – Waverly, TN) – Meriwether Lewis President and CEO Keith Carnahan shared MLEC’s new brand with members during the Humphreys County district meeting and 85^th annual meeting on October 3 at Waverly Central High School. Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative and MLConnect are now a unified brand as “Meriwether Lewis” that provides two services: electricity and broadband.

The five bends of the “ML” logo represent the five counties we serve with a design that illustrates the rolling hills, winding streams and curvy roads that connect our service area. The unified brand will allow MLEC to streamline communication and enhance our overall identity in the community.

“While this logo means a new identity for the electric cooperative, the services, products and cooperative business model members expect will remain constant,” Carnahan said. “Meriwether Lewis’ commitment to safe, low-cost, reliable power and broadband will continue, so we can power and connect a brighter future for our communities.”

Following the meeting, all attendees received a tumbler cup with the new logo to celebrate the occasion. Members not present will get their first look at the emblem and colors through local and social media, as well as planned Membership Appreciation Days set for other counties. The events will be held at MLEC offices as follows:

• Perry County- Tuesday, Oct. 15
• Lewis County- Wednesday, Oct. 16
• Houston County- Monday, Oct. 28
• Hickman County- Wednesday, Oct. 30

The transition will continue for several months as new signage, vehicle decals and clothing are integrated, as well as other platforms where the logo is present.

“We realize the new logo will take time to be easily recognizable, but we believe it will quickly fit into our communities and lives of members,” Carnahan said. “As members get acquainted with the changes, please be mindful of employees who are on the job with an unfamiliar color scheme and emblem.”

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Seven Linemen provide mutual aid to South Carolina and Tennessee

(October 1, 2024– Centerville, TN) — Two crews of MLEC lineworkers have volunteered to join the power restoration efforts in South Carolina and Tennessee after Hurricane Helene left thousands without power. A five-man crew (pictured below) joined Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative which had more than 60,000 members without power in South Carolina. Humphreys County Journey Lineworker Barry Wilson and Lewis County Journey Lineworker Timmy Boyd (not pictured) traveled to Holston Electric Cooperative to assist in recovery efforts in Tennessee.

Pictured above from left to right: Hickman County Journey Lineworker Nick Edwards, Lewis County Journey Lineworker Blake Johnston, Houston County Journey Lineworker Daniel Johnson, Perry County Journey Lineworker David Qualls and Humphreys County Journey Lineworker Karl Reynen.

MLEC Hosting Local Membership Events This October

(September 24, 2024) — October is National Cooperative Month, and as a part of the nationwide observance, Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative will celebrate its members and the communities it serves by hosting an event in each county.

The MLEC Humphreys County District Meeting and 85^th Annual Meeting are October 3 at Waverly Central High School. Registration for the meeting and door prizes begins at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting will be called to order at 7:00 p.m.

For Hickman, Houston, Lewis and Perry counties, MLEC will host Member Appreciation Days. Attendees can enjoy a free lunch with a grilled hot dog, chips, cookie and drink from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at their local MLEC office as follows:

• Perry County- Tuesday, Oct. 15
• Lewis County- Wednesday, Oct. 16
• Houston County- Monday, Oct. 28
• Hickman County- Wednesday, Oct. 30

At all events, members will be introduced to Meriwether Lewis’ new logo by receiving a 30 oz. tumbler, while supplies last. Also, attendees can register for the following door prizes to be given away at each event:

• One-Year Membership to the Nashville Zoo for 2 adults and up to 6 children
• Bird Feeder with Camera
• DeWalt Drill Set
• Outdoor Patio Heater
• Turkey Fryer
• KitchenAid Mixer
• Apple iPad (Donated by MLConnect)

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Power and Broadband teams ready to serve in case of outages

(September 12, 2024 – Centerville, TN) As remnants of Hurricane Francine approach the Meriwether Lewis service area, our crews are on standby and ready to jump to action in the event of major outages. Our power and broadband teams have supplies ready, trucks fueled, safety gear prepped and chainsaws sharpened to respond and serve members quickly. MLEC hopes that the extra preparation will not be needed, but as an electric cooperative, the planning will allow us to better fulfill our duty of providing safe, low-cost and reliable power and broadband.

In times of impending storms, MLEC encourages members to review emergency plans, especially if someone has a medical condition that requires electricity. Please put safety first during outages and remember these pieces of information:

• If you do not have electric service or know of someone who does not have electricity, please call your local office.  Have your phone number, address and name on the MLEC account ready. Call volume may be high, so you may receive an automated message or busy signal. Email and social media are not linked to our outage management system, so these should not be used to report issues.

• Contact MLEC if you see power lines on the ground or caught in trees. Do not try to move them. If touched, they could cause electrocution or serious injury.
• Use extreme caution when using a generator. If you own a generator, contact MLEC. A generator can send electricity back through electric lines and electrocute linemen or others involved in restoration efforts. See www.mlec.com/generators for proper generator installation and use.
• Keep refrigerators and freezers closed as much as possible to retain the inside temperature.
• If the weatherhead at your home is torn down, an electrician will need to repair this before MLEC can restore power.
• If you are an MLConnect subscriber and power has returned but Internet has not, unplug the router from the power source for a few minutes instead of using the reset button. If this does not restore service, submit a ticket online at www.mlec.com/mlconnect/contact-us/. Or, call your local MLEC office; then press OPTION 3, then OPTION 2. Once power lines are back in service, broadband crews will begin repairing fiber.

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Waverly Central High School – October 3

(September 6, 2024– Waverly, TN) — Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative’s 85^th Annual Meeting and the 2024 Humphreys County District Membership Meeting are set for October 3, at Waverly Central High School.  Registration begins at 6:30 p.m., and the meeting begins at 7 p.m. Incumbent Andy Porch is the only member who filed to run for the MLEC Board of Directors.

Those participating will view the Meriwether Lewis annual report video and have opportunities to learn more about the cooperative’s power and broadband services. Each adult in attendance will receive a free gift (while supplies last). Attendees may also win one of seven door prizes: one-year Nashville Zoo membership for two adults and up to six children, KitchenAid mixer, outdoor patio heater, bird feeder with camera, DeWalt drill and driver kit, turkey fryer, and a Apple iPad.

For full details, see September’s issue of The Tennessee Magazine page 22.

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US Representative Meets Hickman County Office and Tours MLConnect Service

(August 30, 2024) — MLEC President and CEO Keith Carnahan discussed the importance of broadband with Congressman Mark Green who toured MLEC’s Hickman County office and learned more about MLConnect’s broadband service on August 30.

Also, present were Congressman Green Senior Advisor Steve Allbrooks, State Representative Jody Barrett, Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association (TECA) CEO Mike Knotts, TECA Government Affairs Vice-President Ryan King and Hickman County Mayor Jim Bates along with MLEC staff.

MLEC shares August 30 Deadline

(August 6, 2024) — Applications are due August 30, 2024, for Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative’s Adopt-A-School Grant.  Teachers can apply for one of three $1000 grants in their county to help meet classroom needs or supplement a special project.

Kindergarten through twelfth grade teachers or principals should submit an application to MLEC Member Services by the August 30 deadline.  Applications are available at each school and online at mlec.com/school-programs/.

“MLEC celebrates 30 great years of providing classroom grants and connecting with local teachers,” says MLEC President and CEO Keith Carnahan. “We appreciate our partners at CoBank and the Tennessee Valley Authority for their matching funds to make these annual grants possible. Making a difference for local students is important to MLEC, and we look forward to continuing our mission.”

MLEC begins project to upgrade meters in Perry County

(August 5, 2024) — In ongoing efforts to serve its members more efficiently and reliably, Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative is upgrading meters across its service area. Work in Perry County is expected to begin in mid-August and finish by the end of the year, which also completes the project for all five counties.

“Like any technology, meter upgrades come along as older equipment becomes unreliable and offers less manufacturer support if something goes wrong,” says MLEC President and CEO Keith Carnahan. “We are replacing the unsupported meters with an upgraded model and combining its technology with MLConnect broadband to provide safe, affordable, reliable power to our members.”

The advanced meters improve reliability by pinpointing and responding to power outages more effectively, creating opportunities for grid improvements, and diagnosing and resolving issues before they occur. Ultimately, it saves outage time and the costs associated with unexpected power interruptions.

The installation only takes a few minutes, creates a momentary outage, and only involves outside equipment. The property owner does not need to be present. MLEC understands members might question someone unfamiliar on their property, so employees are always in clearly marked vehicles and have photo ID badges.

For additional details, contact your local MLEC office or visit https://mlec.com/mlec-meters/. 

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MLEC Contributes Funds to Local Emergency Services

(July 30, 2024) — MLEC put Co-op Principle Number 7, Concern for Community, into practice by giving $500 to the Perry County Rescue Squad and Linden Volunteer Fire Department. On behalf of MLEC, Board Director Tommy Graham (left) presented the contribution to Perry County Rescue Squad and EMA Director Gary Rogers (right).