The 87th Annual Meeting of Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative was held Friday, May 1, 2026, at the West Plains Civic Center with more than 800 people in attendance.

Hamburgers and hotdogs with chips and drinks were available, and kids enjoyed the inflatable slides and obstacle course. Ozarks Healthcare offered blood pressure checks and distributed health information, and Ozark Action was available to talk about home energy savings. Sho-Me Power Cooperative and Associated Electric Cooperative (AECI) had displays explaining energy efficiency and power generation. AECI also provided Virtual Experiences, where members could view, through a VR headset, a crew replacing a utility pole or learn about the energy generation process.

During the meeting, committee members presented their reports, as did CEO/General Manager Aaron Wheeler. He introduced himself as the new manager since taking over in January, and gave a state of the cooperative address. Individuals elected to the Board of Directors were David Newman, District 1; Clinton Reeves, District 2; Glen Johnson, District 3; and Darren Andy McLain, District 4.

This video of the business meeting includes CEO/General Manager Aaron Wheeler's report and a segment with members discussing in their own words how HOEC serves their communities.

 

Stringed Union performed at 87th Annual Meeting

Stringed Union entertained the crowd with music including bluegrass and gospel favorites. Natives of the southern Ozarks, the group played live music on mandolin, guitar and bass. Many of the band members are also members of HOEC.

 

The following is a list of cooperative members who won prizes during the meeting:

  • $50 Gift Card for Hirsch Farm and Feed – Steven Bainbridge, West Plains
  • Bicycle - Aiyana Boyett, Mountain View
  • $25 Gift card for Bass Pro – Carlton Hitt, Birch Tree
  • Potted Plant – David Wehmer, Willow Spring
  • Bicycle - Faith Roberts, West Plains
  • Samsung Tablet - Kimberly Yutzy
  • Overnight Stay @ Echo Bluff State Park $400 Value - McKenzie D Propst, West Plains
  • $50 Colton's Gift Certificate – Patsy McCauley, West Plains
  • Bicycle - Emma Tripp, West Plains
  • $50 Bass Pro Shop Gift Card – Kristopher Taylor, Moody
  • Potted Plant – Wesley Kearns, Willow Springs
  • Stihl Battery Operated Vacuum – James Blunk, Mountain View
  • Vizio 43" TV – Steve R Buckner, Alton
  • $25 Walmart Gift Card – Dwaine Carey, Thayer
  • Stihl Battery Operated Mini Chainsaw – Gingerella Tackett, West Plains
  • $87 HOEC Account Credit – La Donna S Harris, West Plains
  • $50 Gift Card from Hirsch Farm and Feed – Steven Formanek, Willow Springs
  • Bicycle - Zaiden Jewell, Koshkonong
  • Quail Hunt for 2 @ Ozark Wings – Monty Wiens, West Plains
  • Amazon Gift Card – Royal O Richards, Thayer
  • $87 HOEC Account Credit – Wayne Dean Foster, West Plains
  • Lunch Cooler – James Williams, Alton
  • $87 HOEC Account Credit – Elizabeth M Schroeder, West Plains
  • Noco Battery Jump Starter – Brian W Schnurbusch, West Plains
  • $87 HOEC Account Credit - Scott Cressman, West Plains
  • Bicycle - Weston Kerns, Willow Springs
  • $25 Bass Pro Gift Card - Kimberly K Wilson, West Plains
  • Springfield Cardinals Season Tickets – Max Ficken, West Plains
  • Gourma French Door Digital Air Fryer – Linda Reddy, Birch Tree
  • $87 HOEC Account Credit - Antonius R Rigus, Thayer
  • Potted Plant – Carl Campbell, West Plains
  • Apple iPad - Greta McKinney
  • Nintendo Switch Lite - Kaiden Yutzy
  • Bass Pro/Cabela’s Gift Card – Doil P Hickinbotham, Thayer
  • Potted Plant - Michael B Pace, West Plains
  • $100 Hirsch Gift Card - Stephanie D Brassfield, West Plains
  • Adirondack Bench - Vicki L Springer, Koshkonong
  • $100 Gift Card for Hirsch Farm and Feed - Ab & L Retail, Alton
  • $50 in Visa Gift Cards - Michael J Main, West Plains
  • 3 Smoke Alarms – Bill Alsup, Peace Valley
  • Stihl Battery Powered Weedeater - David (Jr) Bunch, West Plains
  • $100 Gift Card to Hirsch Feed and Farm Supply - Donnie Cooley, Alton
  • $25 Walmart Gift Card - Ray A Johnson, West Plains
  • Skull Candy Ear Phones - Lincoln Aaron
  • Bicycle - Daniel Fritz, Alton
  • 12 Gauge Shotgun - David A Wiese, Willow Springs

 

HOEC's mission is to be a leader in delivering cost efficient, reliable energy with value-added service to our communities. The co-op is now in its 87th year and the focus hasn’t changed since the beginning in 1939. HOEC is fortunate to serve members in parts of six counties in this beautiful region of the Ozarks. Thank you for allowing HOEC to serve each of you in Howell, Oregon, Douglas, Ozark, Shannon and Texas counties.