Laughter, food and fellowship filled Big Country Electric Cooperative’s offices September 16 as members gathered for the co-op’s annual meeting, held in an open-house format. More than 275 members stopped by one of the co-op’s offices, in Roby, Snyder and Stamford, to visit with employees, connect with neighbors and enjoy an evening of community in a relaxed, come-and-go setting.
The evening also marked the final open house for three familiar faces: Ann Sanchez and Joe Brewer of the Stamford office and Redonna Guynes of the Snyder office. Sanchez and Guynes will retire this fall, and Brewer plans to retire in February. Together, the three represent decades of service and countless connections with members.
Sanchez and Guynes each served in many roles across the co-op, ranging from the accounting department to the engineering department, both finishing their careers as member services representatives. Sanchez devoted 43 years to the cooperative, and Guynes served more than 25 years. Brewer will retire from his position as district operations manager in Stamford after more than 30 years of service.
Sanchez was there when Midwest and Stamford electric cooperatives consolidated to become Big Country Electric Cooperative in 1999. And more than two decades later, she was still among the first friendly faces greeting members at the Stamford open house. She helped them register, enter for a chance to win a door prize and pick up a Big Country EC-branded charcuterie board as a thank-you for attending.
Sanchez shared her retirement news with attendees, who offered goodbyes and reminiscences.
“I kind of think she’s my sister in a way,” said member Charlie Wells after giving Sanchez a heartfelt farewell hug.
As members paused to honor retiring employees, the open houses carried on in their usual spirit of fellowship. In Roby, Snyder and Stamford, neighbors gathered to visit, swap stories and enjoy the evening together.
“The fun part is to get to hear these people and their stories,” said Mark McClain, who visits all three offices in one evening as Big Country EC’s general manager and CEO. “To them, this is like a family reunion. Great food, relaxed atmosphere. We’re so blessed with great members.”
Each office welcomed members with food and conversation.
In Stamford, culinary students and members of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America student organization prepared a buffet of ham and cheese sliders, bacon-wrapped sausages, fruit and vegetable trays, and miniature cupcakes—the same recipes that recently earned them awards at the West Texas Fair and Rodeo.
In Roby, Janice Boil of B’s Décor provided a hearty hors d’oeuvres spread. Snyder members enjoyed a barbecue-themed meal prepared by Anthony Miller.
While members attend the open houses, the business portion of the meeting is done virtually. A video created for members allows them to hear co-op updates at their convenience.
The video takes a look at Big Country EC through different generations, with stories from employees, new and old, including Catarino Macias IV, an apprentice lineworker who was inspired by his lineworker father to pursue the career. As it always has been, BCEC is powered by neighbors and families.
“We have some employees that they had a parent that may have worked here, and that hits you more on a personal level because you’ve known some of these individuals before they’re even old enough to work,” said Robert Pippin, safety and training manager, in the prerecorded video.
The co-op also updated members on its long-term planning. BCEC has long served oil field, residential, and farm and ranch members. Continued growth in these areas—along with even larger loads on the horizon—is shaping the way the co-op plans for the future. To keep pace, BCEC will move from three-year work plans to a 10-year plan to ensure reliable service and steady improvements for members well into the future.
“The thing that I have seen that remains constant after all the changes through the years is our commitment to our membership and keeping their lights on,” said John VanMater, vice president of engineering, in the prerecorded video.
A part of every annual meeting, the directors’ election is conducted beforehand with mail-in and online ballots so that the co-op can post the results online alongside the video. Directors Matt Mueller of District 1 and Zach Logan of District 2 were reelected to three-year terms by 202 members.
From members who have attended for decades to employees beginning or closing out long careers, the open-house gatherings reflect the cooperative spirit across generations, a sense of continuity that keeps Big Country EC rooted in its history while looking confidently toward the future.
