Trustee Talk -- Randy Bush of District 7

Lifelong Holmes County resident Randy Bush is widely-known in the Graceville area as the owner and operator of Bush Paint and Supply. A WFEC member since 1976, he was elected to the Co-op's board in 1996. He and his wife, Teresa, live in the Poplar Springs Community and have two children, Ashley and Brandy, and a grandson. Here, Bush shares some insights about his service on WFEC's board:

How does WFEC's board differ from the boards of other types of electric utilities?
"WFEC's board is made up of member-owners elected by their fellow member-owners who exercise their right to vote. We, as board members, have just as much at stake as any other member of the co-op. When we make a decision, we have to consider the co-op as a whole - member-owners and employees. If you have a concern about your co-op, you can contact a board member at any time.

On the other hand, for-profit utilities have to make a return for their investors. They are not governed by members who are interested in the service their utility provides. They want to sell electricity to as many customers as possible while providing a minimum of service, in order to assure their investors a profit. If you have a concern about an investor-owned utility, you probably will not be able to find a local person to voice your concerns to."

During your second term as a trustee, WFEC's board made a crucial decision to offer members a mail ballot, which the members adopted. Why is member participation in the Co-op's elections so vital?
"WFEC's board was contacted by a number of members who believed their right to participate in Co-op elections was jeopardized by their age, handicap or need to work on annual meeting day. As a result, the board sponsored an amendment to the bylaws to allow for a mail-in ballot. This amendment was overwhelmingly approved by the membership and, as a result, the number of members voting has increased dramatically.

Each member's vote is their voice in the operation of our co-op, and every member should cast their vote to allow an accurate assessment of the leadership of our co-op."

As a parent and a new grandparent, what do you think WFEC is doing to help tomorrow's leaders?
"Every year, WFEC sponsors the Youth Tour program. Students in WFEC's service area compete for an expenses-paid trip to Washington, D. C. This trip allows our youth to see things they have read about for years in History class and gives them an experience they will never forget. Many of these young people will gain an interest in American government and go on to become the leaders of tomorrow.

WFEC also works for economic development in our local area. Economic development helps our co-op by giving us more customers to serve and, at the same time, creates jobs for our children and grandchildren."

How has 12 years' experience as a business owner helped in your trustee decision-making?

"As a small business owners in a small town, you learn to make every dollar count, you learn to consider every possibility before you make a decision and you always remember that satisfying the customer is the first priority. With deregulation in the future of the electric utility industry, we have to consider other sources of revenue. Providing electrical service as the lowest possible cost and maintaining a high level of service for our member-owner will always be our main goal.

The addition of new services, such as Internet access and DSS sales and leases, has helped us maintain our rates for the last few years. We continue to look at other options to enhance our position as a co-op. In a competitive environment, you cannot sit still - you must move ahead with new ideas. Well thought-out, common sense decisions will secure our co-op for the future."