Hundreds of members filled the KC Community Center, eager to enjoy the activities organized by Fayette Electric Cooperative employees for the annual meeting, then settled in to visit with friends and wait for the business session to begin.
Many come every year, a summer ritual that turns a community gathering in La Grange into a de facto appreciation for the efficient and reliable service the co-op has provided to seven counties since 1937. Some things never change.
But for FEC and one man in particular, things will never be the same.
David Lehmann, a farmer and rancher from Warda, retired from the board of directors after serving for 45 years, marking the first time in FEC’s 88-year history that a member of Lehmann’s family won’t be on the board. Lehmann replaced his grandfather, L.A. Giese, a charter board member, when he retired after serving for 43 years.
“All good things come to an end,” Lehmann said. No more meetings. No more policy matters. No more numbers to crunch. “Besides, I got hay to bail.”
But some good things also had their beginning July 16. Brenda Spence attended her first annual meeting.
Spence became an FEC member in March 2024 after moving back to Texas. She attended the open house of the co-op’s new headquarters last year and was impressed, especially by the showers and lockers for field workers to use after a rugged shift and the 24/7 system operations center.
“I have an affinity for people who work outside in the field,” said Spence, adding that she grew up as an “oil field rat.”
“I relate to people who work in the weather.”
What Spence and the 418 other members in attendance probably don’t think about as much as FEC’s employees do are the Seven Cooperative Principles that drive everything the co-op does. Yet they were quite evident that night.
The hall was bordered by several tables that members could visit before the meeting. They could play a golf putting game, Plinko and a spinning wheel for free goodies.
Larry Sulak, safety compliance director, headed a table where members could learn more about safety and kids could pose as a line worker for a photo op. This addressed two of those principles—Concern for Community and Education, Training and Information.
So did FEC’s participation in the Government-in-Action Youth Tour, and Sophia Nance, one of two area students represented by the co-op who spent a week in Washington, D.C., expressed her appreciation for the opportunity.
“I’m so thankful for this trip because it gave me the chance to view historical monuments and sites, meet incredible people and experience unparalleled moments,” Nance said. “I’ve made lifelong friends and memories that will stay with me forever.”
Avery Nelius was the other Youth Tour winner.
FEC also introduced graduating seniors who won co-op scholarships: Adin Beyer, Brianna Clark, Jodie Kaspar, Sadie Noska, Hunter Sabo and Adam Thompson. Their names appeared in the July issue of Texas Co-op Power. Additionally, Kaylee Byer was awarded the Luck of the Draw scholarship after her name was selected during the meeting.
Another hallmark of co-ops is Democratic Member Control, which gives members a powerful say in their direction. Three seats on the board were up for election. Members elected Scott Schultz to replace Lehmann in District 1. Two directors were reelected in uncontested elections: Joseph Kruppa in District 2 and James A. Anderle in District 5.
Kruppa, the board president, also announced the retirement of Leo C. Henke, the director in District 4 who has served the board for 22 years. Kruppa said District 4 members interested in serving the remainder of Henke’s term can apply, and the board will appoint a member to fill the unexpired term.
The board also remembered Bill Briscoe, a 19-year director who died in February. Kruppa spoke of his career in the oil industry, his commitment to FEC and his community of Weimar, and his devotion to his church and family. “His legacy of service and dedication will be fondly remembered by all who knew him,” Kruppa said.
In May, the board appointed Clayton Wessels as the District 6 director to replace Briscoe.
In a video report, Doug Lambert, FEC’s general manager and CEO, reflected on the co-op’s progress and direction moving forward.
He explained the benefits of moving out of the crowded and outdated headquarters the co-op had used since the 1960s and into a new facility. “The state-of-the-art facility represents more than just a new building,” Lambert said. “It lays the foundation for our smarter and more responsive, resilient climate by modernizing our business operation practices. We ensure that we’ll continue delivering safe and reliable, high-quality electric service for generations to come.”
He pointed to a shared service agreement with GVEC, a neighboring cooperative. GVEC now manages FEC’s after-hours, weekend, and holiday operations, including dispatching crews during outages. This upholds another co-op principle: Cooperation Among Cooperatives.
Lambert also explained the benefits of other strategies and developments, including:
• Wildfire mitigation
• Vegetation management
• Vehicle maintenance and replacement
• A $241,000 cybersecurity grant from the Department of Energy
• Board approval of a 4.3% rate adjustment
• Five consecutive years without a lost-time incident
Lambert also recognized recent employee retirements, including Accounting and Finance Manager Linda Gaddes, who concluded her 54-year career in June, and Equipment Operator Ronnie Martinek, who retired in July after 30 years of service.
Door prizes are not a cooperative principle, but they are a staple at FEC’s annual meetings and part of the reason members began showing up more than an hour before the start time and stayed seated to the very end. Fifty-five prizes, including bill credits, cash, and household goods, were handed out throughout the meeting.
“My favorite thing to do is give away prizes,” said Gale Lincke, the director for District 3.
Lehmann was tasked with announcing the last of the prize winners, his last official duty as a director.
Some things change; some things stay the same—like the fellowship that night.
Spence, the newcomer, noticed that. “Look at this,” she said. “Everybody knows everybody.”