Wiregrass Electric Cooperative
Wiregrass Electric Cooperative is a not-for-profit rural electric utility cooperative headquartered in Hartford, Alabama. It is a member of the Alabama Rural Electric Association of Cooperatives (AREA) and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. History Wiregrass Electric Cooperative, a PowerSouth Cooperative, was organized in October 1939 and began distribution in 1940. Taking its name from the Wiregrass Region which it serves, it was created to serve rural customers not serviced by the large power companies. The system is made up of around 3,200 miles of line and more than 27,000 consumer/member homes and businesses. Howard Haygood was the first manager of the cooperative. He served until 1958. Subsequent leadership was as follows: • B.L Woodham, general manager, 1953 – 1968 • Bruce Dyess, general manager, 1969 – 1985 • Jerry Mosley, general manager, 1985 – 2005 • Michael McWaters, CEO, 2005 – 2013 • Les Moreland, CEO, 2014 – present Organization At Wiregrass Electric Cooperative, the consumer/member is the basis of the organization. Each person receiving electric service must be a member of the cooperative. Annual membership meetings are held where members receive reports on the operation of the system and elect trustees to handle the affairs of the organization.