Cooperative holds 85th Annual Meeting

Williamson Addresses Crowd For Final Time, Hickman and Nottingham Re-Elected to Board

A&N Electric Cooperative held its 85^th Annual Meeting at its Tasley headquarters on Aug. 28.

At the Annual Meeting, President and CEO Butch Williamson addressed the meeting crowd and the membership for the final time. Earlier in the year Williamson announced his retirement from the cooperative.

Co-op members also elected two of their peers to serve on the Cooperative’s Board of Directors. The cooperative recapped the activities, financials, and operational successes from 2024, discussed information about its current year of challenges with increased energy demand as it relates to growth and costs and provided a forecast for 2026.

More than 1,500 cooperative members participated in this year’s election of directors, either in person or through designated proxy. The election process was overseen and certified by the cooperative’s Credentials and Elections Committee, which is independent of the Board.

In District 1, Mark Hickman was re-elected. This district covers the northern areas of Accomack County from Parksley’s northern border to the Virginia/Maryland state line and includes Tangier and Smith islands.

In District 3, Add Nottingham was re-elected. This district covers the areas between Melfa in the north and Nassawadox in the south.

Both candidates were unopposed in their elections to the board and will serve three-year terms per the cooperative’s bylaws.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Nottingham, who also serves and Chairman of A&N Electric Cooperative’s Board, welcomed co-op members in attendance and those tuning in at home through WESR’s live broadcast.

He highlighted the cooperative’s founding in 1940 and the celebration of its 85^th anniversary this year.

“When this co-op was founded back in 1940, the world looked vastly different. At that time, many rural families still lived without electricity,” Nottingham said. “Our cooperative was born out of a spirit of determination and unity, bringing power to places the larger utilities had overlooked. That pioneering spirit is what made the impossible possible – and continues to guide us today.”

Nottingham also highlighted the cooperative’s ongoing success in youth education programs including local recipients of the Virginia Maryland Delaware of Association Education Fund scholarship winners and the continued support of the Cooperative Youth Tour program, which sponsored four local youth delegates for a week-long trip to Washington D.C. recently in June.

He announced that the cooperative board recently voted to return $1.59 million in capital credits to the membership. Nearly all members receive capital credits in the form of a bill credit, which was applied in July.

Nottingham, who also serves on the Members Helping Members Board, reported the nonprofit raised more than $51,000 in funds and was able to assist 266 cooperative members with paying their electric service bills in 2024.

He also thanked Williamson for his years of dedicated service to the co-op and the Eastern Shore community.

“Your vision and commitment have advanced our cooperative in meaningful ways — modernizing our technology, streamlining operations, and positioning us for long-term success,” Nottingham said of Williamson. “We are grateful for the steady hand you’ve provided and the progress you’ve championed.”

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Williamson, who announced his retirement earlier in the year, gave a heartfelt farewell to the board, co-op employees and the membership.

“I feel a deep and abiding sense of gratitude – not only for the chance to serve but for the people who have made this journey so meaningful,” Thank you for welcoming me, challenging me, and trusting me.  I have been inspired by your strength, your unity, and your belief in what’s possible when we work together.”

Williamson has spent more than 45 years working for various rural electric cooperatives in South Carolina and Virginia.

“Though I’ve worked in many places and worn many hats, these last ten years here at A&N have been the most special,” he said. “This community, this team, and this mission have left a lasting mark on me.”

Williamson received a standing ovation at the conclusion of his remarks. He will officially retire in July 2026.

During his speech, Williamson also discussed service reliability, safety and affordability, which are all cornerstones of the cooperative’s overall strategy. From energy efficiency audits to community solar options, from fixed billing plans to weatherization assistance, the cooperative is focused on helping members take control of their energy use and lower their bills.

“Even as the energy landscape becomes more complex – with growing regulatory demands, shifting fuel markets, and increased pressure to decarbonize – we remain focused on maintaining rates that are fair and sustainable,” Williamson said. “We are proud to be among the most cost-efficient cooperatives in the region, ensuring that our members receive exceptional value for every dollar they pay.”

The cooperative will continue to prepare for the future with innovation and foresight.

“We are enhancing our planning tools, upgrading substations, exploring grid-edge technologies, and have partnered with other cooperatives through ODEC (Old Dominion Electric Cooperative) to ensure generation resources remain strong, balanced, and increasingly clean,” Williamson said.

Attendees also heard from the cooperative’s senior leadership team, vice presidents Joe Cataldo, John Arp and Shawn Hildebrand, who reinforced the cooperative’s commitment to reliability, service quality and affordability with a number of achievements from the previous year.

Immediately following the annual meeting, the board held officer elections, re-electing Nottingham as its chairman, Bott as its vice chairman, and Dodd as the board’s secretary/treasurer.

Learn more about the Cooperative’s programs and initiatives highlighted at the Annual Meeting at anec.com.