McDonough Power Cooperative hosted its members Wednesday, Sept. 2 at The Crossing in Macomb for the co-op’s 89th Annual Meeting of Members, which celebrated being “Member Powered.” A pork chop dinner for members was prepared by West Prairie FFA and served by Scotland Clever Clovers 4-H Club. Members also enjoyed live music performed by one-man-band Shannon “Woody” Wood. In addition, each registered membership received a $10 bill credit and a special gift.
Board Chairman Walt Lewis called the meeting to order, followed by the invocation given by McDonough Power CEO Mike Smith and Boy Scout Troop #315 leading the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Board Secretary Steve Hall presented the meeting notice, and the minutes of the 88th Annual Meeting were approved.
Treasurer Mike Cox then directed the audience to the 2025 Treasurer’s Report in the annual meeting booklet given to members. In it, he reported that total receipts for providing electric service in 2025 came to $13,767,435. The cost of electric power for the same year was $7,621,151, and total expenses were $13,332,957.
Nominating Committee Chair Tim Piper reported to members in attendance that the committee met June 4 to nominate candidates for election to the board. Those nominees included David Lueck (District 4), Nancy Erlandson (District 6) and Courtney Chandler (District 9). Mike Grafton and Andrew Glowacki also petitioned to run for District 6.
The election of directors was then conducted by Attorney John D. McMillan, and after votes were tallied, Lueck, Erlandson and Chandler were elected to represent their respective districts for 3-year terms at the end of the meeting.
Before presenting the Chair's Report, Lewis thanked Shannon “Woody” Woods, the Scotland Clever Clovers, the West Prairie FFA, Boy Scout Troop #315, The Crossing and McDonough Power Administrative Assistant Dawn Beck for their contributions to the 2026 Annual Meeting. In his report, he announced that since last year’s meeting, $24,000 has been dispersed to area food banks and volunteer fire departments, as well as for children’s playground projects, through Operation Round Up. More than $272,000 has been donated since the program began in 2015. Lewis also shared that the “Coats for Kids program” is still going strong, providing 232 coats to children in the cooperative’s service territory last year.
In addition, he announced the retirement of $366,422 in capital credits and estate refunds. Lewis closed by thanking the co-op’s 16 employees for their hard work over the past year.
CEO Mike Smith followed with the introduction of guests and employees and the presentation of service awards. In his report, Smith discussed three key points, beginning with appreciation for the cooperative’s 89 years of service. “I would like you to imagine what the first meeting was like, a group of members sitting in a room that was probably not as nice and as comfortable as the Crossing, people with the same last names as many of you who are here tonight,” he said. “That initial meeting was, like today, September 2nd, 1937.
“That first year, a group of people, again just like yourselves, were tasked with going door-to-door, asking members to sign up. Not everyone was eager to sign up, but eventually, when enough did, the cooperative was able to get their first loan to build electric lines in the amount of $282,000 from the REA or Rural Electric Administration. That amount today would be $6.7 million dollars,” Smith continued. “We are still standing as strong as ever, ready to continue serving the members of McDonough Power.”
His second and third takeaways were 1) “While there are outside forces that affect your bill, we … will work to minimize those impacts as much as possible; and 2) “The nonprofit cooperative model, [which adheres to the seven cooperative principles] is just as strong as ever and [is] built to last.”
The meeting adjourned following a prize drawing, including three grand prizes, for active members of the cooperative in attendance.
Recipients of the grand prize were Laura Jennings, Timothy Raymond and Marla and John Johnson.
McDonough Power Cooperative is a member of Touchstone Energy — a national alliance of local, consumer-owned electric cooperatives providing high standards of service to members large and small.
More than 700 Touchstone Energy cooperatives in 46 states are delivering energy and energy solutions to more than 30 million members every day. McDonough Power is committed to providing superior service based on four core principles: integrity, accountability, innovation and commitment to community. The co-op serves more than 5,050 meters over 1,413 miles of line in parts of Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Knox, McDonough, Schuyler and Warren counties. For more information visit www. mcdonoughpower.com.
McDonough Power Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
