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A message from our CEO

Dear Cooperative Members,

Many electric cooperatives across Texas and the U.S. benchmark their organizations’ performance based on what Sam Houston Electric Cooperative does.

In a nutshell, that’s why I was excited to accept the position of CEO following the retirement of Kyle Kuntz, who served in that role since 2002. I have been part of hundreds of conversations about how electric cooperatives can best serve their members. And one question that’s always asked is, “What does Sam Houston Electric Cooperative do?”

Other co-ops ask that question because of Sam Houston’s commitment to...

  • the safety of our members and employees,
  • well-trained, highly-skilled employees,
  • the use of technology to provide best in class service,
  • an American Customer Satisfaction Index score that ranks among the highest of all electric utilities in the U.S.

And, the reason for all of that, is you, the consumer-members we serve. Our members are the purpose for which Sam Houston Electric Cooperative was created 80 years ago.

Your involvement in your cooperative’s member meetings and elections is vital to our success. Your interactions with us, and the feedback you provide, help us chart our course for the future. And your support in times of natural disasters is second to none. In short, you are the reason for Sam Houston Electric Cooperative’s success.

Throughout 2018, our focus on safety was reflected in the S.T.A.R. (Stop. Think. Awareness. Responsibility.) Safety Program. Now in its fourth year, S.T.A.R.was created by our Safety Steering Team, which is dedicated to improving all aspects of safety for Co-op employees and members.

Also in 2018, we improved system reliability by utilizing a combination of technology, electrical distribution system upgrades, as well as right-of-way maintenance. Fortunately, no hurricanes impacted our area. The right-of-way maintenance program, however, had a significant positive impact on reducing power outages caused by typical East Texas storms.

Our new, improved outage management system uses leading technology to help us respond to outages faster and restore your power more quickly. The mySamHouston online portal and smartphone app give you the ability to report an outage without having to call our office. Additionally, mySamHouston includes an outage map that allows you to view current outages and see an estimated time of restoration. mySamHouston offers several other service enhancements as well.

Financially speaking, your Cooperative is strong. We are well-positioned to maintain our facilities and plan for the growth that we are experiencing in several areas of our system, in an effort to constantly improve our service to you.

In September, Sam Houston EC retired $3 million in capital credits, which appeared as credits on members’ electric bills. Capital credits have always been one of the key benefits of being part of an electric cooperative.

Your Cooperative Board of Directors and senior management developed a strategic plan that lays out a roadmap to the future. The strategic plan has targeted goals and a long-term focus on safety, reliability, financial stewardship and service excellence.

We closed 2018 by receiving an American Customer Satisfaction Index score of 86 from our Co-op members. That is a very high score and is a full nine points higher than the industry average.

Sam Houston Electric Cooperative was chartered by the State of Texas on May 16, 1939. As we celebrate our 80th anniversary, we thank you, our members, for making your Cooperative what it is today.

Cooperatively yours,

Doug Turk, P.E.
General Manager & CEO

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