2026 Annual Meeting a Success
A message and invitation from the CEO
Watch the 2026 Business Meeting here on June 5 at 5:30 p.m.
Annual meeting June 5, 2026
Registration and voting June 4 & 5 at LEC’s main office
5,066 members took part in Laurens Electric Cooperative’s drive-thru registration and voting for their board of directors on June 4 and 5.
Members reelected Charles Adair to represent District 4, Marcus E. Cook to represent District 7, and Mitchell Powers to represent District 9.
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 2026 Annual Meeting a success.
PRESIDENT & CEO
Matthew Stanley
Meet the Board of Trustees Candidates
Laurens Electric Cooperative members will vote for three seats on the Board of Trustees at the 2026 Annual Meeting. Trustees are Laurens Electric members and represent the interests of the members in their districts.
District 4
Charles Adair, Clinton
Incumbent
Charles Adair and his wife Renie have two children, Hollis Adair Walsh and CT Adair. They are also proud grandparents of four grandsons. Charles was born and raised in the community in which he represents, Clinton, and his family are members of Leesville Southern Methodist Church. Charles is a graduate of Clinton High School, and Presbyterian College, where he majored in Business Administration. Charles is a self-employed dairy farmer and equipment dealer since 1980. In Charles’ free time he enjoys his vegetable garden and the ducks on his pond.
Charles was elected to the LEC board in 1987 and currently serves as the Chairman on the board of Trustees. He has earned his CCD, BLC and his director gold credentials. He also serves as a board member for Central Electric Cooperative and the SC Power team.
District 7
Marcus E. Cook, Gray Court
Incumbent
Marty Cook and his wife Laura have four children, Lauren Cook, Drew Cook (Samantha), Curry Cook Thomas (Charles) and Wyatt Kaspar. They are also proud grandparents of five grandchildren. Marty was born and raised in the community in which he represents, Gray Court, and his family currently attends First Baptist Church in Laurens. Marty is a graduate of Laurens District 55 High, and Anderson College, where he majored in Liberal Arts. Marty is the owner of Marcus Cook Farm and Garden Center, LLC, which has specialized in ornamental trees and shrubs since 1983. In Marty’s free time he enjoys golfing at Lakeside Country Club and boating on Lake Greenwood.
Marty was elected to the LEC board in 2014. He has earned his CCD, BLC and his director gold credentials. He also serves as a board member and an executive committee board member for the Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina.
District 9
Mitchell Powers, Enoree
Incumbent
Mitchell Powers and his wife Dale have two children, Lauren and Grant Powers. The Powers family have lived in the Lanford area for more than 50 years and his family are members of Patterson Chapel Church in Lanford. Mitchell is a graduate of Laurens District 55 High and attended Spartanburg Tech where he majored in Industrial Electronics. Mitchell is a retired, self‑employed entrepreneur who has owned and operated several businesses, including a wrecker service, a laundromat, construction work, and a septic tank company. In Mitchell’s free time he enjoys hunting, fishing, gardening and beekeeping.
Mitchell was elected to the LEC board in 1988 and currently serves as the Secretary/Treasurer on the board of Trustees. He has earned his CCD, BLC and his director gold credentials. He also serves as a board member for Trustee Association of the Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina.
Laurens Electric Cooperative Annual Meeting Winners
Winner of the retired LEC fleet vehicle:
Allison M. Howard of Clinton
Winners of the $1,000 college scholarships for high school seniors:
Thomas L. Copeland of Clinton on behalf of student Katherine Wiggins
Rachael Connor of Greer on behalf of student Sierra Connor
Winner of a $100 gift card courtesy of CEEUS:
Carl D. Burkel of Pelzer
Watch the 2026 Annual Meeting
Read the 2025 Annual Report
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
