We hope to see you on Friday, November 5, 2021, for our Annual Meeting!
Baldwin EMC Headquarters | 19600 State Highway 59 |Summerdale, AL
Registration and voting will begin at 8 a.m. and end at 9 a.m., when the business meeting will start.
The annual meeting is a special time for co-op members to gather, hear from co-op leadership and vote to elect board members and decide on bylaw revisions.
Chief Executive Officer Karen Moore and Board President Peggy Vanover Barnes will address the membership. Attendees will also be placed into drawings for bill credit giveaways!
All members who vote either by mail or in person will receive a $5 credit on their electric bill.
Members are asked to practice social distancing and masks are preferred. Sanitizing stations will also be available.
Just a reminder: mail ballots must be returned by November 1. If you do not vote by mail, you may vote in person at the Annual Meeting.
Your Board Trustee Nominees:
Joseph Coleman
Trustee Nominee – District 2
Nominated by Committee
Joseph (Joe) Coleman has served as the trustee for District 2 since July 2007 and is a Credentialed Cooperative Director through the National Rural Electric Association (NRECA). He is also NRECA Board leadership certified.
Joe is a lifelong resident of Baldwin County and a veteran of the United States Army. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the University of West Florida.
Joe was a long-term employee of Solutia, formerly Monsanto Chemical Company, where he worked in various supervisory and management positions as well as electrical maintenance before retiring in 2001 after more than 30 years of service. In addition to serving on Baldwin EMC’s Board, Joe serves on the Board of PowerSouth Energy Cooperative.
Joe and his wife Rebecca live in Loxley on property originally purchased by his grandparents in the 1940’s. The Colemans have three children and one grandson.
STATEMENT:
I have had the privilege of serving on the Baldwin EMC Board for the past 14 years. This role has allowed me to take part in the planning, hard work and dedication required to provide the high level of reliable electrical service we all enjoy.
Baldwin EMC, our employees and members have seen some “interesting” times during these 14 years. We have been through many highs and lows in our area but thankfully at this point in time many things are looking very positive. The economy is on an upswing, our county is experiencing steady growth, job availability is growing, and Baldwin County continues to be one of the most = desirable areas in the state to live. This growth of course means Baldwin EMC must continue the planning and hard work necessary to provide the service, reliability and financial strength our members expect. I am proud to be part of this effort.
My service on the Board is a privilege and a duty I enjoy. I am grateful for the confidence that my fellow Board members, Baldwin EMC employees and members have placed in me. I will continue to do whatever is necessary to ensure safe, reliable and affordable electrical service to all of Baldwin EMC’s members.
I ask for your continued support and the honor of representing you in the future.
Tommie WernethTrustee Nominee – District 4
Nominated by Committee
Incumbent Tommie Werneth has been a member of the Board of Trustees since 1996 and currently serves as its Vice President. Previously she served as Secretary/Treasurer for nine years. She has been honored to serve on the board during a time of unprecedented growth for Baldwin EMC.Under Werneth’s leadership, Baldwin EMC has seen a 40% increase in the number of members. In the last year Baldwin EMC has faced some of its largest service disruptions due to hurricanes and they have passed the test by getting members electricity back online quickly.
Werneth is a Credentialed Cooperative Director through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). She has successfully completed the necessary coursework and testing required for Board Leadership Accreditation, a national program designed to provide continuing education and knowledge of the electric utility industry and its ever-changing challenges for cooperative leaders. Recently, she received the Director Gold credential from NRECA, which acknowledges the highest level of achievement. Werneth represents Baldwin EMC on the statewide association, the Alabama Rural Electric Association, where she has served as the Secretary, Vice-Chairman and is now the Chairman. Other assignments include the Governance and Public Relations Committees.
In addition to her work with Baldwin EMC, she has for the past nine years served on the Board of “The Friends of the Arts,” a nonprofit organization founded to provide financial and physical support for the Coastal Arts Center in Orange Beach. She has been the Chairman of the “Culinary Arts” for the Festival of Arts held annually in March.
Werneth has also been involved with the American Heart Association (AHA) where she has served as Chairman of the “Art for Heart” fund-raising event. In her tenure as Chairman over $600,000 has been raised for heart disease research and development and local projects.
Werneth and her husband Ed built their first home in Orange Beach on Cotton Bayou in 1978. They have resided in Orange Beach for more than 35 years. They have one daughter and son-in-law and three grandchildren. They are both active members of St. Thomas by the Sea Catholic Church.
STATEMENT:
My years on the Board of Baldwin EMC have been challenging and rewarding. It has been my honor and privilege to be part of history-making decisions that have guided this cooperative into the 21st century.
YOU, the member, are my primary focus when making all decisions in regard to Baldwin EMC. I feel it is my duty to continue my education on the ever-evolving electric service industry to better serve you. I promise to continue to work diligently to be a good steward for you, the member of the cooperative. I would appreciate your vote to represent you the member/owner.
Jimmy BoydTrustee Nominee – District 4
Nominated by Committee
Meet Jimmy Boyd, Nominee for District 4, a servant. Boyd currently serves on several boards for both his community and profession. As a graduate of Mississippi College, Boyd earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management / Marketing. Boyd’s first job experience was a 9-year position as Assistant Manager overseeing the Galleria Mall in Birmingham. For the last 30 years Boyd has owned and operated his own businesses.Experience includes:
* Chairman Baldwin County Board of Equalization
* Orange Beach Water Authority Board of Directors / Secretary- Treasurer
* Orange Beach Planning Commission
* Orange Beach Board of Adjustments
* Baldwin County Board of Realtors Government & Community Relations
* Realtor/ Broker / Owner Portside Realty
* Real Estate Political Action Committee
* Baldwin County Board of Realtors Government Affairs Committee
* Commercial Property Management
Boyd has been married 29 years to Dana Boyd, a traveling RN Covid Nurse. They have two children, Barcley and Bailey.
Other family members include parents, John and Pat Boyd from Fairhope, sister, Deanie Buck of Bellator Realty in Fairhope and ONO island, and brother, Jeff Boyd an Orange Beach City Councilman. Boyd has a deep-rooted passion for Baldwin County. A survivor, Boyd is committed to his community!
Boyd has a passion for helping troubled men in Baldwin County with his support of Youth Reach and Big Fish Ministries. He has a love for the outdoors and passion to protect the environment for the future of our children and grandchildren. GO GREEN WHEN POSSIBLE!
STATEMENT:
The electric industry faces many changes including solar power credits, electric cars and green alternatives, all of which I support.
#1 Goal is ultimately keeping your rates low while providing uninterrupted service. I have worked for years to position myself to represent you as an ambassador and Trustee of Baldwin EMC. Allow me to bring a fresh and youthful perspective if you can say 55 is youthful.
My servant heart, spirit and dedication make me the perfect candidate to serve you as Baldwin EMC Trustee/Ambassador.
With my years of experience in business, serving on boards and dedication to serving, I am poised to lead as your representative to fight for you, the co-op member. My opponent has served 8 terms (24 years) well … now is the time to pass the baton!
I will bring strength, passion, transparency, youth and serve with integrity as your ambassador. I want to serve you the members of Baldwin EMC.
Please contact me with your questions at 251-747-1173 or jboydbamabayou@yahoo.com.
Let your voice be heard. Please VOTE. I look forward to serving you.
Attitude of Gratitude for the gift of Life! Thank You Jimmy Boyd.
Peggy Vanover BarnesTrustee Nominee – District 6
Nominated by Committee
Peggy Vanover Barnes is the incumbent trustee for District 6, and currently the President of Baldwin EMC’s Board of Trustees. Vanover Barnes has served on the Board since 1988. Before being elected President in December 2008, she also served terms as Secretary/
Treasurer and Vice President. She is a Credentialed Cooperative Director through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) and is Board leadership certified. Vanover Barnes was honored with the 2019 Pathfinder Award by the Alabama Rural Electric Association (AREA) for her extraordinary service on behalf of electric cooperatives and is currently serving as Chairman of the AREA Chairmen’s Council.During Vanover Barnes’ years on the Board, Baldwin EMC has maintained a strong financial position which was recently recognized by Standard & Poor’s with a rating of “A stable.” The cooperative has also maintained stable, competitive rates, placing Baldwin EMC among the lowest-cost providers of electricity in the region.
An active businesswoman in addition to her service on Baldwin EMC’s Board, Vanover Barnes owned an investment firm for more than three decades. She is credited with pioneering the investment industry in Baldwin County and is a former Vice President and Manager of A.G. Edwards & Sons. For 20 years she was also president and chairman of the Cindy Haber Center Board (formerly MRDD Board) which serves 12 counties. Vanover Barnes is a member of First Baptist Church of Robertsdale.
Vanover Barnes is a native of Baldwin County and a graduate of Robertsdale High School. She received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Faulkner University in Montgomery. Vanover Barnes is married to Kenneth Barnes and they have six children, five of whom reside in beautiful Baldwin County.
STATEMENT:
For the past 33 years, I have taken my responsibilities as a Board member and Board president very seriously. I’m proud of the accomplishments during my time of service and the direction in which our cooperative is moving. With an eye on serving our members, we continue to evaluate and implement new technology, maintain exceptional reliability ratings, and keep costs among the lowest in the country. These are just a few reasons why Baldwin EMC’s levels of member satisfaction are among the highest ratings when compared to other electric utilities on a national scale.
In changing economic times, Baldwin EMC has maintained a strong financial position and returned more than $24.9 million in capital credit checks to members during the past 10 years. As we move toward a new and challenging future, I will maintain my commitment to a cooperative that keeps its members’ needs first and foremost.
The past couple of years have been extraordinary for Baldwin EMC, as for all our members. Just in the last 12 months, we have faced two hurricanes plus the Covid-19 pandemic. Our team has done an exceptional job in this stressful environment, and I congratulate them on their “heart” for each of us members. I’m very proud of their accomplishments and I look forward to the opportunity to continue participating in the leadership that has made Baldwin EMC an outstanding example throughout the entire industry. I would be honored to receive your vote and privileged to continue serving you.
Eugene FernandesTrustee Nominee – District 6
Nominated by Committee
Eugene (Gene) Fernandes was raised in Bayou La Batre. Fernandes’ family moved to California when he was in high school where he received his college degrees from San Diego State University. Gene returned to Alabama and now owns and lives on a farm in Elsanor. He raises Wagyu cattle and sells meat through Bama Wagyu.
Mr. Fernandes and his wife Madeline have been married for 43 years. Their daughter and her husband have three children and live on the home farm. Their twin grandsons and granddaughter attend Elsanor Elementary. Their daughter is the 4-H Foundation Extension Agent for Mobile County.
Fernandes’ work experience includes: teaching school, both public and private, selling real estate, managing apartment buildings, retail sales for Sears, Robertsdale Livestock Auction, South Baldwin Regional Medical Center, raising cattle and selling Wagyu meat through a co-op he co-founded, Bama Wagyu.
Fernandes’ civic and community service work has prepared him for serving on the Baldwin County EMC Board. Here are some of the organizations where he has served on committees and boards over the years: Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Board, Baldwin County Cattlemen’s Association, National Education Association Board, County and District Education Association Boards, California Education Scholarship Committee Board, Alabama Ag Credit, St. Patrick Strategic Planning Committee, Baldwin County
Bee Keepers Association, Foley Chamber of Commerce Food Festival Committee, Robertsdale Chamber of Commerce Health Committee, volunteer fire fighter and board member with the Elsanor Fire Department.
Here are some of the leadership positions Fernandes has held while serving on various boards: Regional Vice President, President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Executive Committee.
My life and career experiences living and working in rural Alabama have developed in me an understanding and appreciation for the values cooperatives have in general, and specifically electric cooperatives in providing rural America with electrical service. Serving in leadership roles on boards in agriculture, education and churches has taught me the role and responsibilities of boards and board members. This experience has prepared me to be a successful and productive member of the Baldwin County EMC Board. My goal for the people of Baldwin County, including my grandchildren, is to enjoy plentiful, reliable and lowest-cost power for our future generations.
It is easy in life to find problems; I look at problems as an opportunity for a better solution to solve the many challenges presented to us.