After scaled-back events the past couple of years, the Cullman Electric Cooperative will return this fall with a full slate of activities, entertainment, and informative discussion for its 86th annual meeting. In addition to bringing members together, the yearly gathering marks the opportunity for members to select new representatives on the Cooperative’s board of trustees.

This year’s meeting is slated to take place at Northbrook Baptist Church from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17, though a little advance notice is in order: Registration packets, which include ballots for the three open seats, were mailed to all Cullman EC members last week. Members can sign the registration card, fill out the ballot, and submit both using the included return mail envelope, with all registrations and ballots due on or before Thursday, Sept. 15. Whether they register and vote by mail or in person, members will be eligible to win one of ten utility bill credits ranging in value between $100 and $500.

There are three board of directors positions open this year, with two seats — those occupied by incumbent board members Sheila Sizemore (District 2) and James Fields Jr. (District 3) fielding no new candidates. In District 6, incumbent Daryl Calvert is running against Jeff Byars.

In addition to free hot dogs (courtesy of Fairview Band Boosters), popcorn, and drinks, live entertainment will be provided until the business meeting begins at 11 a.m. by two local musical groups: family bluegrass band the Cotton Pickin’ Kids, and Avenue G. There’ll also be inflatables and rides for the kids, as well as a Cullman Electric Cooperative bucket truck photo booth and a free health fair hosted by Cullman Regional.

This year’s meeting will introduce “Spark Talks,” a new feature that presents a series of brief presentations from eight invited speakers. Starting at 9 a.m. and revolving to a new speaker every 15 minutes, presenters will offer quick, interesting info on a variety of topics including leadership, education, economic development, electric vehicles, social media and technology, and the future of Cullman County,

Communications manager Brian Lacy said he hopes everyone who comes to the annual meeting will walk away from at least one presentation having learned something new. “We’ve invited leaders in our community to come talk about issues that are relevant and important to the co-op and our members,” Lacy said via a Cullman EC press release. “People can find a seat and listen to all of the speakers, or they can come and go throughout the morning to learn more about topics they are interested in.”

Members who don’t register or vote by mail can do both in person on the day of the event, beginning at 8 a.m. All members who attend in person will receive a $15 credit to the their power bill, and can register for drawings that feature a variety of door prizes including a 70’’ Samsung 4K TV, a Blackstone grill, a Blink wireless home security camera set, and a RTIC cooler.

“I encourage all co-op members to participate in the annual meeting,” said Cullman EC board chairman Robert Tidwell, via the cooperative’s announcement. “The mail-in voting and registration process is simple and convenient, and has allowed the co-op to establish a quorum at every annual meeting over the past 25 years.

“We are excited to host our annual meeting with food, games, music and other activities for the first time since 2019,” Tidwell added. “The annual meeting is a celebration of the unique role members play in a cooperative business, and we look forward to hosting our members once again.”

For more information about this year’s event, visit www.cullmanec.com.

District 6

Daryl Calvert (incumbent)

Daryl Calvert retired from Wal-Mart Fleet Maintenance as shop supervisor after more than 20 years of service. Today, he is owner and operator of a small lawn care business, DC Lawn. Graduating from Cold Springs High School in 1974, Calvert worked as a diesel mechanic for 27 years and farmed for 10. He feels these experiences allowed him to develop good people skills and a strong work ethic. Calvert enjoys lawn work, hunting, fishing and woodworking. In addition, he likes to spend time with his children and grandchildren. Calvert has successfully completed the curriculum of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association to become a Credentialed Cooperative Director.

Jeff Byars

Jeff Byars has more than 20 years of experience as an accountant, and has worked since 2020 as the owner of a patient advocacy and healthcare consulting service. He is a licensed EMT and has worked with volunteer fire services in Cullman County for more than 30 years. Byars is a graduate of Good Hope High School and has an accounting degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He is currently president of Bethsadia Volunteer Fire Department and treasurer for the Alabama EMS Association. Byars enjoys traveling and spending time with his wife, Heather, and their two children, Claire and Chase.

District 2

Sheila Sizemore

Sheila Sizemore worked in the banking industry for over 30 years and retired from Peoples Bank of Alabama in 2021. Sizemore graduated from Vinemont High School, earned her Associate’s degree from Wallace State and her Bachelor’s degree from Athens State. She also earned a graduate degree from the Louisiana State University School of Banking. Sizemore has been in the Kiwanis Club for over 20 years, is an active member at Seventh Street Baptist Church, and is a member of the Cullman ladies singing group Cullman Women Sing. She has successfully completed curriculums for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Credentialed Cooperative Director, Leadership Certification and Gold Leadership Certification.

District 3

James Fields

James Fields is a graduate of Hanceville High School. He continued his education at Jacksonville State University where he earned a B.S. degree in Law Enforcement and Sociology. During his career with the Department of Industrial Relations, Fields worked as the Assistant Administrator and North Alabama Supervisor in the department’s Fraud Unit. Fields has successfully completed the curriculum of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association to become a Credentialed Cooperative Director, and has gone further, earning his NRECA Director Gold Credential as well.