Baldwin EMC held its 2026 Annual Meeting at its Summerdale headquarters on Friday, November 13. The meeting included voting in elections for trustees. Robert Kaiser was re-elected to another term representing District 5, and Carolyn Doughty was re-elected to serve as the representative for District 7 on Baldwin EMC’s Board of Trustees.
A total of 16,670 members participated in the election, including those registered and present in person and those who submitted their votes by mail. The Annual Meeting also included special addresses from Board President Peggy Vanover Barnes and Chief Executive Officer Hunter Robinson.
Robert Kaiser of Foley, Alabama, has served as the Baldwin EMC District 5 trustee for 15 years. Raised on a family farm in Baldwin County, he began his career in engineering with Boeing before working as a broadcast engineer. In 1978, he joined Alabama Power Company, where he held several positions, including Control Technician, Instructor and Manager of Outside Contractors, before retiring in 1990. He later worked as a telephone engineer for Gulf Telephone Company. Kaiser holds the NRECA Credentialed Cooperative Director, Board Leadership and Director Gold certifications. He is married to Dianne Epperson Kaiser and is a member and deacon of Vernant Park Baptist Church.
Carolyn Doughty of Gulf Shores, Alabama, has served as the Baldwin EMC District 7 trustee for four years. She earned a bachelor’s degree in microbiology from the University of Alabama and worked as a registered medical technologist for 13 years before beginning her 47-year career in real estate with Meyer Real Estate and Baldwin REALTORS®. Her professional honors include the Baldwin REALTOR® of the Year Award, Baldwin REALTOR® Lifetime Achievement Award and National Association of REALTORS® REALTOR® Emeritus Award. Doughty holds the NRECA Credentialed Cooperative Director, Board Leadership and Director Gold certifications. She is the mother of two daughters and one son and a member of St. Andrew by the Sea Church.
Immediately following the Annual Meeting, Baldwin EMC’s Board of Trustees held a re-organizational meeting to select board officers for the upcoming year. Peggy Vanover Barnes was elected to serve another term as President and chairman of the board, Tommie Werneth was once again chosen to serve as Vice President and Joe Coleman was elected to serve another term as Secretary/Treasurer.
Robert Kaiser, Baldwin EMC District 5
Carolyn Doughty, Baldwin EMC District 7