2025 Annual Meetinga Success
A message and invitation from the CEO
Watch the recording of the 2025 Annual Business Meeting
Annual meeting June 7
Registration and voting June 6 & 7 at LEC’s main office
5,101 members took part in Laurens Electric Cooperative’s drive-thru registration and voting for their board of directors on June 6 and 7.
Members reelected Joe Nicholson to represent District 1, William “Bill” Hendrix to represent District 2, and Jim Perry to represent District 3.
Members also overwhelming passed the two bylaws amendments regarding campaign transparency and election timing.
Board Secretary/ Treasurer Mitchell Powers reported that the co-op’s finances remain strong, which allowed the board last year to approve the return of more than $1.5 million to members in the form of capital credits.
The co-op continues to experience record growth in our service area and is one of the fastest growing electric co-ops in the state. This leads to stability for the future for the co-op, and the community.
The business meeting and prize winners can be viewed on this page, and a full recap, including photos, will be included in the July issue of South Carolina Living magazine.
Thanks to the members of Laurens Electric who helped make our 2025 Annual Meeting a success.
Meet the Board of Trustees Candidates
Laurens Electric Cooperative members will vote for three seats on the Board of Trustees at the 2025 Annual Meeting. Trustees are Laurens Electric members and represent the interests of the members in their districts.
District 1
Joe Nicholson, Pelzer
Incumbent
Joe Nicholson and his wife Deborah have two children, Jill and Scott. They are also proud grandparents of three grandchildren. The Nicholson family live in the Ware Place community of Pelzer and are members of Washington Baptist Church. Joe is a graduate of Thornwell High School, and Piedmont Tech, where he majored in Industrial Electronics. Joe has worked for various businesses over the years including Flowers Baking, a family-owned drycleaning business and a stump grinding business. He was the owner and operator of Nick’s One Stop for 18 years. Joe is currently employed as a delivery specialist with PODS, LLC and has been in the cattle farming business for 46 years. In Joe’s free time he enjoys cooking new recipes.
Joe was elected to the LEC board in 2004 and has earned his director gold credentials.
District 2
William “Bill” Hendrix, Simpsonville
Incumbent
William Bill Hendrix has one son, Ron Hendrix, three grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. The Hendrix family are lifetime members of the Rocky Creek community of Simpsonville, where Bill is also a member of Rocky Creek Church. He attended Mauldin High School, North Greenville University and Georgia Military College. He has worked for various businesses including Galloway Bell for 28 years. His father owned and operated Hendrix Outdoor Sports (aka Hendrix Dog Patch). In Bill’s free time, he enjoys hunting and swimming.
Bill was elected to the LEC board in 2003 and currently serves as the Vice-President on the board of Trustees. He has earned his director gold credentials.
District 3
Jim Perry, Roebuck
Incumbent
Jim Perry and his wife Holly have three children, a son and two daughters. The Perry family have lived in the Walnut Grove/Roebuck area for more than 30 years. Jim is a graduate of the Citadel, class of 1990. He is currently employed at First Citizens Bank. He is a member and deacon of Mt. Calvary Presbyterian Church.
Jim was elected to the LEC board in 2019.
Laurens Electric Cooperative Annual Meeting Winners
Winner of the retired LEC fleet vehicle:
Richard Lambert of Woodruff
Winners of the $1,000 college scholarships for high school seniors:
David C Christy of Simpsonville on behalf of student Matthew Middleton
Diana Meneses of Enoree on behalf of student Santiago Vasquez
2024 Annual Meeting A Success
5101 members took part in Laurens Electric Cooperative’s drive-thru registration and voting for their board of directors on May 31 and June 1.
Members elected Janice Cunningham to represent District 5, and reelected Eddie Abrams to represent District 6, and Reid Fisher to represent District 8.
Board Secretary/ Treasurer Mitchell Powers reported that the co-op’s finances remain strong, which allowed the board last year to approve the return of more than $1.5 million to members in the form of capital credits.
The co-op continues to experience solid growth in our service area as one of the fastest growing electric co-ops in the state. This leads to stability for the future for the co-op, and the community.
The business meeting and prize winners can be viewed on this page.
Thanks to the members of Laurens Electric who helped make our 2024 Annual Meeting a success.
PRESIDENT & CEO
Matthew Stanley
Laurens Electric Cooperative Annual Meeting Winners
Winner of the retired LEC fleet vehicle: Patricia Margarita of Enoree.
Winners of the $1,000 college scholarships for high school seniors:
Susan Mayfield on behalf of student Ellison McIntyre.
Scott and Nikki Thomas on behalf of student Lily Thomas.
Winner of a $100 gift card:
Member Kris Swofford of Simpsonville
