Sam Houston EC New Headquarters Building Taking Shape

09.15.10 Sam Houston Electric Cooperative’s new headquarters building is beginning to take shape. The facility, which is expected to be complete by next April, will be built to the latest energy-efficient standards and will include a new, modern dispatch center to facilitate power restoration and normal daily operations. Members will find the new facility to be more efficient and spacious as well.

A lot has changed since Sam Houston EC opened the doors of its current headquarters building in Livingston in 1951. Nearly 60 years ago, Sam Houston EC served just over 7,500 members. Today, the Cooperative provides electric service to more than 67,000 accounts across parts of 10 counties.

The new Sam Houston EC headquarters building is being constructed on the west side of the current building and will include key features to increase productivity and create a smoother process flow for member requests. The new drivethrough will offer faster service, and work units within the organization will be housed together to improve efficiency.

During construction, the drivethrough lanes are not available. Members are encouraged to take advantage of Sam Houston EC’s convenient payment options, such as online payments, payments by phone or mail-in payments, until the new drivethrough opens in a few months.

“We are building on our current location, which saves money and allows us to continue to utilize our existing operations facilities,” said Kyle J. Kuntz, Sam Houston Electric Cooperative CEO. “In addition, construction costs are lower than they’ve been in many years, making this an ideal time to build.”

“Our board of directors and staff have carefully considered all aspects of this project to ensure the new facilities will meet current needs and future growth,” Kuntz said. “The new building will provide relief for crowded work spaces and will improve day-to-day efficiency. It will also be built to energy-efficient standards.”

Capital credits are allocated from revenues collected in excess of operating expenses during the previous year. Once the determination has been made that the financial condition of the Cooperative is stable and adequate to meet operating costs, debt covenants and emergency expenses, the Board can elect to return a portion of excess capital in the form of capital credits to Co-op members. Capital credits are proportionate to individual electric use.

“Unlike investor-owned utilities that pay out dividends to shareholders, Sam Houston EC returns unused capital, or monies collected in excess of operating costs, to our member-owners in the form of capital credits,” said Chief Executive Officer Kyle J. Kuntz. “We work hard to find the best deals on electricity and operate as efficiently as possible in order to pass savings on to our members.”

To date, Sam Houston EC has returned $27,233,836 million in capital credit refunds to its member-owners.

Members with questions regarding capital credits are encouraged to contact a Sam Houston EC Member Service Representative at 1-800-458-0381.

08.18.2010 A group of Sam Houston Electric Cooperative journeyman and apprentice line technicians joined 28 teams from across the state in the 14th Annual Texas Lineman’s Rodeo, July 17.

Friends, family and spectators gathered at Nolte Island Park near Seguin, Texas, to watch the linemen demonstrate their skills in competitive events that include timed contests and exciting head-to-head competitions.

Events and scoring are based on individual and team events, as well as journeyman and apprentice lineman events. Participants compete in events such as the pole climb, hurtman rescue and the popular egg climb.

Glen McDaniel, Jason Citrano and Matt Puckett, a journeyman team from Sam Houston EC’s Woodville branch office, took first place in the hurtman rescue team event. In the individual journeyman events, Jason Citrano took first place in the hurtman rescue and third place in the pole climb event.

Josh Munson and Thomas Logan, of Livingston, participated in the apprentice lineman events. Mike Garess, Sam Houston EC Woodville operations supervisor, serves as coach of the Cooperative team. Sam Houston EC inspector Danny Brown, of Woodville, was an event judge at the lineman’s rodeo.

The Cooperative also brought along their barbecue team, The Shade Tree Smokers; Larry Horn, Sam Houston EC Livingston operations supervisor; Calvin Walker, Coldspring operations supervisor; and Martie Morgan and Debra Hicks, Livingston system operators.

Sam Houston EC is proud of the talents and accomplishments of its line technicians, not only during this competition, but also every day in the field.

[PHOTO above, from left to right] Sam Houston Electric Cooperative’s Matt Puckett, Thomas Logan, Debra Hicks, Josh Munson, Mike Garess, Jason Citrano, Glen McDaniel, Martie Morgan, Calvin Walker, Larry Horn and Danny Brown.

06.22.2010 Sam Houston Electric Cooperative was on hand Saturday, June 12, at the 2010 Alabama-Coushatta Housing Fair to teach homeowners how to conserve energy and lower their electricity bills. With helpful information and resources, Sam Houston EC’s Keith Stapleton, chief communications officer; Mike Beumel, inspector; and Mary Kate Scott, communications specialist; explained how easy saving can be.

Vendors from as far as Oklahoma City gathered at the Special Events Center to help homeowners improve, repair or even buildtheir dream home.

[PHOTOS, top to bottom] Sam Houston Electric Cooperative communications specialist Mary Kate Scott presents Rosanne Langley with a package of CFLs—unique for their “incandescent-like” casing. 

Mike Beumel, Sam Houston EC inspector, visits with participants at the 2010 Alabama-Coushatta Housing Fair. Day-to-day, Beumel conducts in-home energy audits—a free service offered by the Co-op to Sam Houston EC members.

Follow Sam Houston EC on Twitter
06.03.10 Technology and innovation continue to change the way we communicate. From a telephone call to an email and even social media, we have more channels of communication now than ever before.

At Sam Houston Electric Cooperative, we’re keeping up with communication trends, and now you can follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/SamHoustonEC. Twitter is a free service to all users allowing you to keep in touch with people through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?

For Sam Houston EC, Twitter is a quick way to share links to news releases, Cooperative information, industry news and conservation and safety tips, to name a few.

“Twitter compliments our overall communications program by offering news in a flash,” said Keith Stapleton, Sam Houston Electric Cooperative chief communications officer. “It’s just one more way Sam Houston EC keeps members informed about important cooperative events and announcements.”

Sam Houston EC Top-Winning Co-op in the Nation
05.20.2010 Sam Houston Electric Cooperative recently received recognition in the 2010 “Spotlight on Excellence” national awards program, sponsored by the Council of Rural Electric Communicators and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Sam Houston EC received a total of 10 Spotlight Awards for publications and items produced by its communications department, becoming the top-winning distribution cooperative in the nation.

Award-winning pieces included the Co-op’s conservation and energy-efficiency website, www.dowattsright.net; elements from Sam Houston EC’s local pages in Texas Co-op Power magazine; Calendar & Member Handbook; print advertisements; and the Co-op’s employee newsletter.

“The judges noted the emphasis on being good stewards of each cooperative’s resources, while still doing the vital job of communicating with members,” said Maggie Tilley, administrator of Spotlight on Excellence. “In difficult economic times, this has been especially challenging, yet, cooperative communicators rose to the occasion.”

A special luncheon honored the award recipients during the Connect 2010 Conference held in Kansas City, MO, on May 12. Winning entries were displayed during the event.

The annual Spotlight on Excellence Awards competition recognizes the top-rated communication and marketing efforts by electric cooperatives and related organizations. Participants in the awards competition competed with electric cooperatives of similar sizes in 19 categories.

Electric cooperative communicators and marketing professionals submitted more than 804 entries in the Spotlight on Excellence program, now in its 22nd year. Faculty members from the University of Missouri – Columbia and the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill judged the entries.

“Our members deserve our very best effort when it comes to cooperative communications,” said Keith Stapleton, Sam Houston Electric Cooperative chief communications officer. “The Spotlight on Excellence competition gives us the opportunity to measure success and to share ideas.”

[PHOTO] Mary Kate Scott, Sam Houston Electric Cooperative communications specialist, and Keith Stapleton, chief communications officer, received a total of 10 Spotlight Awards for publications and items produced by the Co-op's communications department, becoming the top-winning distribution cooperative in the nation.

05.18.2010 Landon Parker, son of Sam Houston Electric Cooperative members Arlen and Kari Parker of Livingston, has been selected as a runner-up in the Co-op Teens Power Texas Contest and will receive $250 for his winning video entry in the educational value category.

Landon’s video investigates hydroelectricity and even features a visit to a hydroelectric power plant.

“Making the video was a lot of fun,” Landon said. “I worked with a friend, and we enjoyed filming it and putting it together.”

Landon had the help of his friend and co-host, Steve Goin, also of Livingston, in the production of their video “Wonders of Hydroelectricity.”

 “Texas Co-op Power” magazine, in conjunction with electric cooperatives across Texas, asked high school students to create 1- to 3- minute educational videos that explored a developing facet of renewable energy. 

“We’re very proud of Landon and Steve,” said Keith Stapleton, Sam Houston Electric Cooperative chief communications officer. “Their video was well-scripted, creative and entertaining. It’s great to see our local students competing and winning on the statewide level.”

To see the winning video, go to Texas Co-op Power magazine’s website, www.texascooppower.com, or visit the contest’s YouTube page: http://www.youtube.com/user/TXCOOPOWER.

In 2009, costs for generating power were less than anticipated. Every current member who was billed for electricity this past year saw their share of nearly $5 million in energy credits.

This month, Sam Houston EC wants to give members a chance to once again enjoy savings on their energy bill. A simple survey will be enclosed in March bill statements from the Cooperative.

From questions about Sam Houston EC’s Web sites, to Texas Co-op Power magazine and the Co-op Connections® Card, the survey contains questions regarding the effectiveness of the Co-op’s overall communications program.

Members are asked to complete the survey and return it to Sam Houston EC, either with their bill payment or directly to the Cooperative. Members who complete any or all of the survey will be entered into a drawing for a $100 bill credit.

Surveys offer members an opportunity to provide feedback on Sam Houston EC’s performance, and the results in turn help the Co-op provide better service to its members. When you find your survey, please take just a few minutes and let us know what you are thinking.

When determining the price for electricity, Sam Houston EC must project in advance what the cost will be for generating electricity. These projections are based on the expected cost for fuels used to generate electricity—primarily natural gas and coal.

“In 2009, the price of natural gas was less than anticipated,” said Kyle J. Kuntz, Sam Houston Electric Cooperative CEO. “The net result was an over recovery for 2009. This provided an opportunity to help our consumers in a big way. So, the Board of Directors made the decision to return the $5 million to current members as an energy credit on their February bills.”

“At a time of year when electric bills are typically higher due to winter heating, we are happy to be able to pass along these substantial savings to our members,” Kuntz said.

“Sam Houston Electric Cooperative is a member-owned, not-for-profit company. Our goal each and every day is to provide our members with reliable electricity, to do it safely and at the lowest cost. It’s not about profits; it’s about serving our members."

“We’ve been hearing from co-ops across the nation eager to help,” said Ingrid Hunsicker, the NRECA International Foundation’s senior program manager. “We’ve arranged to accept cash donations through the NRECA International Foundation for Haitian relief.”

The foundation has worked in Haiti since 1998 to help bring power to inland regions of one of the poorest nations in the Western Hemisphere. 

While the earthquake did no reported damage around the inland community of Pignon, where many co-op volunteers have worked in recent years, damage to the capital city of Port-au-Prince was extensive. 

Authorities feared the death toll could surpass 100,000, but had no official totals. More than 2 million people live in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, and officials at the U.S. Geological Survey say the earthquake was the most violent to hit Haiti in more than 200 years.

The magnitude 7.0 earthquake was centered 10 miles from the city and turned apartments, hospitals and other concrete structures into piles of rubble. Relief supplies, including food, medical supplies, water and emergency housing, began arriving within hours of the initial tremor. 

Locally, Sam Houston Electric Cooperative worked with The United Methodist Committee on Relief to issue “Health Kits,” which provide basic necessities to those rendered homeless after the devastating quake.

| Source: Electric Co-op Today

“Together We Save” features more than a dozen energy efficiency Web applications, a Web TV portal, new television and radio advertisements, as well as plenty of opportunities for members to share stories and read how other consumers are saving money.

This integrated campaign is built on the concept that small changes in consumer behavior can not only better help co-ops deliver efficient, reliable and affordable energy, but also the potential economic benefit will encourage consumers to take control of their energy usage.

Sam Houston Electric Cooperative will partner the campaign’s interactive Web site, www.togetherwesave.com, with its own Do Watts Right campaign, launched in 2006.

Accommodating increased demand for electricity is one of Sam Houston EC’s biggest challenges. This is just one way we are working to conserve energy and prepare for the electricity needs of future generations.

Watch for Election Ballots

10.05.2009 -Look for your official Sam Houston Electric Cooperative election ballot in the mail mid-October. Be sure to vote and take part in the election of your Board of Directors. Remember, your vote is important.

Also, mark your calendar for the Sam Houston EC Annual Meeting of Members, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009, at 2:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe Multipurpose Facility, located at 571 State Park Road 56, off Hwy 190 about halfway between Livingston and Woodville.

For more information, contact the Co-op at 1-800-458-0381 or click here.

At Sam Houston EC, we want our members to keep track of their energy usage, save money and learn ways to conserve energy. DoWattsRight.net is our way of continuing to look out for our members, by offering tips for conserving electricity and improving energy efficiency in their homes.

Sam Houston EC members will learn how to conduct their own home energy audit, debunk common energy myths and learn how even the smallest changes can make a big difference to their energy bill. What’s more, the Web site also offers a link to the Touchstone Energy® Kids Zone, a cool place where kids can learn about electricity, energy savings and electrical safety. Even though we’re in the business of selling electricity, it takes each of us doing our part.

Click here to visit DoWattsRight.net.

05.19.2009 - Sam Houston Electric Cooperative received the Edgar F. Chesnutt Award for Best
Total Communication Program, the highest honor bestowed through the Spotlight on Excellence Awards program. Sam Houston EC was recognized during Connect 2009, a national communication, marketing and member services conference convened by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives.

[PHOTO] Karen Combs (center) presents the 2009 Edgar F. Chesnutt Award to Sam Houston Electric Cooperative staff, from left: Kyle J. Kuntz, CEO; Mary Kate Scott, communications specialist; Keith Stapleton, chief communications officer; and R.J. Enard, engineer.

In May 2009, Sam Houston EC celebrates 70 years of service in East Texas.

A lot has changed since our younger years, but the service we provide and the values on which the Co-op was founded remain the same. Today and tomorrow, Sam Houston Electric Cooperative is here for you.

Whether seven years old or 70, some things never change.

Hindsman Awarded Texas Electric Cooperatives' "Unsung Hero"

04.09.2009 - Ronnie Hindsman, Sam Houston Electric Cooperative Training and Safety Inspector, received the “Unsung Hero” award from Texas Electric Cooperatives in March for his many years as an instructor and his contributions to the success of Loss Control line technician schools.

Hindsman started working in the Cooperative's warehouse when he was in high school and started in the line department in June 1983.

Fassler Deployed to Year-long Tour in Iraq

04.01.2009 - The United States Army Reserve has called upon one of Sam Houston Electric Cooperative’s employees.

Michael Fassler, Sam Houston EC line technician of Coldspring, will be deployed for a year-long tour in Iraq, where his coworker Yancy Williams, of Livingston, is currently serving in the U.S. Army Reserve as well.

Joining the Sam Houston EC family just prior to Hurricane Rita in 2005, Fassler enlisted in the Army Reserve nearly a year ago. Fassler says it was something he has always wanted to do and took the opportunity while he could.

“We appreciate Michael’s commitment to his job and country,” said Kyle Kuntz, Sam Houston EC CEO.

02.20.2009 - Going the extra mile to help others in the community is not uncommon among co-op employees. In fact, Touchstone Energy® honors those individuals through the Power & Hope Employee Recognition Program. Sam Houston Electric Cooperative proudly nominated Craig Jones for this year’s award.

Jones lives a life of service. A member of the Livingston Volunteer Fire Department, he and the other members of the department were able to save a home from fire as Hurricane Ike made landfall in September, despite the obstacles of Category 2 hurricane winds, fallen trees and pounding rains.

A Co-op Technology Specialist, Jones was appointed “mayor” of the Woodville tent city after the storm. He not only was a liaison between the Co-op and the staging area, but he was also there to ensure the needs of hundreds of others were taken care of. This included distributing water and ice, seeing medical needs were addressed, parking and fueling hundreds of bucket trucks, and even making sure the crews had enough to eat.

Aside from his commitment to the Livingston Volunteer Fire Department and his exemplary leadership after Hurricane Ike, Jones also donates much of his time to the youth baseball league in Livingston.

Sam Houston EC believes, like many of its employees, that Jones truly exemplifies the cooperative spirit and commitment to the communities we serve.

Visit Touchstone Energy's Power & Hope Web site.

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