June 13, 2026

Board Hears Vision for Team SEMO Academy

A regular meeting of the Board of Directors of SEMO Electric Cooperative, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as the “Cooperative”) was held on Friday, June 12, 2026, at the office of the Cooperative in Sikeston, Missouri. The meeting was called to order by President Richard Faulkner.

The following directors were present: Faulkner, John Bledsoe, James Deneke, Carl Eftink, Carla Moore, Myron Hawes (entered when noted), Tim Coppage, Dicky Hanor, Keith Haynes, and Von Priggel. Directors absent were Field LaPlant and Dennis Fowler. Staff members present were Jared Kelley, Brad Milam, Angie Byford, Amanda Burnett, Loyd Rice, Becky Ivester, and Amy Butler. Also present were Sean Vanslyke, CEO/General Manager, and Megan McCord, attorney for the Cooperative. A prayer of invocation was offered by Vanslyke.

The chair asked for approval of the agenda. On motion made and passed, the agenda was approved. The Board considered its consent agenda consisting of the minutes of the regular meeting of May 18, 2026; the minutes of the organizational board meeting of May 14, 2026; new membership applications; membership cancellations; the initial review of Policy 304 – Accidental Damage to Poles; and the initial review of Policy 305 – Check Signatures. Kelley presented the monthly safety report, providing information on the monthly safety topic of lightning safety for outside workers and the lost-time and injury summary for the previous month.

Under old business, the Board reviewed its schedule of meetings and confirmed registrations for attendance. The Board reviewed Policy 302 – Cooperative Funds and Policy 303 – Condolences. Under new business, the Board reviewed and discussed district updates. Burnett presented three preliminary options for capital credit retirements and reviewed historical retirement data.

Burnett reviewed the financial summary for the month of May 2026, including revenue and expense analysis and budget comparisons. Compared to budget, year-to-date revenue is down 1.44%, expenses are down 5.04%, and power costs are down 0.19%. She also provided an update on various FEMA claims. On motion made, seconded, and passed, the financial report was accepted.

Butler presented information on her participation in the Utility 2030 Leadership Collaborative (U2030) and her capstone project, Team SEMO Academy. Eftink reported on his attendance at a recent meeting of M&A Electric Power Cooperative (Transmission). Items of interest included safety and reliability. Haynes reported on business from a recent Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives meeting, including updates on youth programs, and legislative matters. The Board reviewed and discussed written staff reports, supplemented by additional oral presentations from staff members. The Board entered into executive session to discuss legal and personnel matters. There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned.