REPORTTHE GREYSTONE

VOLUME 15 • NUMBER 4 • DECEMBER 2015

GSP-1215-1

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: P2 Operation Round Up funds scholarships

Two new Board Directors elected

Shop smart with these CCC deals!P3 P4

P.O. BOX 897 | DOUGLASVILLE, GA 30133 | memberservices@greystonepower.com | 770-942-6576

Nov. 13, 2015 Dear GreyStone Power Member: As we approach the holiday season, it’s a great time to say thank you for your business, your membership in this cooperative and your patience. The past several months have been somewhat challenging, as we’ve transitioned to a different billing system. The system was chosen as a way to reduce operating costs. The good news is it has worked. While it doesn’t feature all the bells and whistles of the previous system, billing system expenses have been greatly reduced, with projected savings of $15 million over the next 10 years. In addition, a new power supply contract has cut our wholesale power costs, and we’ve been working with our industry allies on Capitol Hill in an attempt to control future power costs. All of this is occurring as our lower winter rates went into effect Nov. 1, and we just returned $5 million in capital credits (profit in the for-profit world) to GreyStone Power members. We’ll still have some growing pains ahead as we iron out some wrinkles in the new billing system over the next several months. But you should soon be seeing the positive impact of all these cost-saving efforts on your power bills. As a result of lowering expenses, we’re working on a rate reduction planned to take effect in spring 2016. At GreyStone Power, we’re on “wallet watch.” We’ve been tightening our belts, while working to provide the most reliable energy possible. Again, we appreciate your patience as we work to continue to provide reliable and competitively-priced electric service. Cooperatively yours, Gary Miller President/CEO Miller@GreyStonePower.com

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GreyStone employees were sad-dened to hear of the passing of Board Director Charles Rutland, who served GreyStone members for nearly 60years, both as Director and employee. He represented GreyStone members in District 3, which includes portions of Douglas and Paulding counties. Rutland was a longtime resident ofPaulding County and served as a Direc-tor since 1989. He was the owner and operator of CER Farms Hay and Cattle. He retired from GreyStone as Department Manager of New Con-struction after 33 years of service. Rut-land also served as elected Supervisorfor Paulding County with the Coosa

GreyStone mourns Board Director Charles Rutland

Operation Round Up funds scholarships for locals

River Soil and Water Conservation District. He served on the Executive Council of the Resource Conservation & Development Council, an organiza-tion dedicated to the preservation ofnatural resources, conservation and economic development in a nine- county area including Douglas, Pauld-ing, Bartow and Carroll counties. He was President of the Council for a timeas well. Rutland passed away Oct. 8 at the age of 76. Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Margaret, three children, five grandchildren and six great- grandchildren. GreyStone’s Nominat-ing Committee will meet to determine

the process to select a new Board mem-ber to fill Rutland’s seat.

The GreyStone Power Foun-dation, Inc. Scholarship, which is funded by members who donate to Operation Round Up®, was awarded to five students in the cooperative’s service area. Winners of the $3,000 scholarships included students Andrieka Austin, Kathryn Davis, Jessica Kim, Joshua Eric Smith and Jeffrey Summey. GreyStone members are help-ing these local students reach their educational goals by rounding up their power bills to the next dollar each month through the Operation Round Up program. In addition to the Foundation Scholarship, Operation Round Up funds two $2,500 scholarships for two technical college students. The Tim B. Clower Scholarship is awarded in honor of a former GreyStone president and his dedi-cation to technical education. Chattahoochee Technical Col-lege (CTC) representatives select the winning students, who must reside in GreyStone’s service area. This year’s winning CTC students

included Abisai Perez and Sally Wells. Along with funding scholarships, Operation Round Up provides urgently needed funds to nonprofit organiza-tions in our community. Organiza-tions that have received funds in the past include the Boys & Girls Clubs of Douglas and Paulding, Communities in Schools of Douglas County, Court

Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), A Gift of Love, Ware-house of Hope and Paulding Coun-ty Cops for Kids. Members who would like to help the community by participat-ing in Operation Round Up can sign up at GreyStone’s website, www.greystonepower.com.

GreyStone’s Foundation Board (back row) awarded students (front row, from left) Jessica Kim, Kathryn Davis, Joshua Eric Smith, Andrieka Austin and Jeffrey Summey with the Foundation Scholarship.

Charles Rutland

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Two new Board Directors elected at Annual Meeting More than 2,000 GreyStone Power members and their families attended GreyStone’s 78th Annual Meeting of Members on Oct. 10. The event had 905 registered mem-bers in attendance. This year’s festivities included an Energy Efficiency Expo, food and retail Co-op Connections® Card vendors, an amusement area and a Health Fair. Children learned about using electricity safely when employees presented interactive “Safety City” demonstrations. Children also learned how to avoid injuries at the “Safe Kids” tent. This year’s Energy Efficiency Expo included multiple seminars presented by GreyStone’s Residen-tial Energy Services department. Seminar topics included “The Importance of Changing Filters” and “All Things Solar.” During the business meeting, Credential and Elections Chair-man Jack Clower announced that Genevieve Cole won a contested

race against Mark Crowe, decided by mail-in ballot, for the District 1 seat, which includes portions of Paulding and Bartow counties. Members at the meeting elected Neal Dettmering by voice vote to represent District 4, which includes portions of Carroll and Douglas counties. Cole and Dettmering replaced Calvin Earwood and Burnell Red-ding, who retired at the Annual Meeting and were honored for their contributions. Board Chair Jennifer DeNyse and President/CEO Gary Miller also expressed sadness at the sudden passing of Director Charles Rutland, who served members for 26 years on the Board and 33 years as an employee. GreyStone’s Board officers were re-elected, including Chair DeNyse, Vice Chair Jim Johns and Secretary-Treasurer Milton Jones. The event concluded with 46 door prizes, including the grand-prize giveaway, a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado C1500 truck.

Grand-prize winner Diane Tidmore and her family with their 2008 Chevrolet Sil-verado C1500 truck, which was retired from the GreyStone fleet.

Meet your new Board Directors

Genevieve ColeDistrict 1

Neal DettmeringDistrict 4

Genevieve Cole has served the banking industry through a 41-year banking career and as a bank director for 14 years. She has served Georgia Heritage Bank for 11 years as a mem-ber of the Board of Directors, CEO, President and Organizer. She replaces Calvin Earwood on the Board.

Dettmering has served as Judge of the State Court of Douglas County since 2001, and practiced law privately in Douglasville from 1974 through 2001. He served as GreyStone’s general legal counsel from 1992 to 2001. He replaces Burnell Redding on the Board.

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EMC Security 770-963-0305www.emcsecurity.com

Gas South1-866-563-8129Use promo code 510 to receive GreyStone discount.www.gas-south.com/emc Green Powerwww.greystonepower.com(To sign up)

GreyStone Fleet Services770-370-2077

Mailing addressP.O. Box 897, Douglasville, GA 30133

To Report an Outage 1-866-473-9786

Douglasville office4040 Bankhead Hwy.770-942-6576

Dallas office 120 GreyStone Power Blvd.770-942-6576

Call Center open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Visit our websitewww.greystonepower.com

Co-op Connections Card 770-370-2273www.connections.coop/ greystonepower

GEMC Federal Credit Union770-949-3557 770-445-2800www.gemc.org

SurgeMaster Plus770-370-2070

Operation Round Up®

www.greystonepower.com(To sign up)

The goal of this publication is to keep you, our members, informed about the coopera-tive you own. GreyStone Power is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Editor: Ashley KramerCommunications Staff: Vicki Harshbarger, Ashley Kramer, Amanda Busby, Trisha McBee, Adam Elrod, Jaime Jacobs

Board of DirectorsJennifer DeNyse, ChairJim Johns, Vice ChairMilton Jones, Secretary-TreasurerGenevieve ColeJohn WaltonNeal DettmeringMaribeth WansleyEd Garrard

President/CEOGary A. MillerStay Connected

GreyStone Power: Home of the World Champion Lineman Team

Don’t forget to show your Co-op Connections® Card (CCC) and save money when you shop at any partici-pating business! More than 325 local businesses offer great deals when you show the card.

Latest CCC offers:

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We’re tightening our belts,so you don’t have to.

Cutting costs to reduce rates

GreyStone Power is an equal opportunity provider and employer.