Members of Central Texas Electric Co-op, Board District 6 (San Saba County), met Monday, June 5th, in the Cherokee High School cafeteria. The members were welcomed by CTEC Chief Executive Officer, Tachi Hinojosa. Mr. Hinojosa called the meeting to order and introduced himself as well as members of the Board of Directors present, those being Mr. James Low from San Saba County and Mr. Mark Hahn from Mason County. Director Low offered an invocation and led those in attendance in the Pledge ofAllegiance. CEO Hinojosa then introduced a video which gave a look behind the scenes when major power outages occur.
The video highlights the cooperative's commitment to providing reliable electric service and showcases the teamwork that takes place when an outage occurs. Member Service Representatives, typically responsible for billing inquiries, play a vital role in answering outage calls during the day, ensuring that members can speak directly to a live person and receive prompt assistance. “It is important to us that you speak to a live person, like me, whenever possible,” said CTEC employee Katrina Reed. Outside regular business hours, an automated phone system handles outage calls, but CTEC encourages members to report outages using the SmartHub app for quick and seamless information transmission.
Dispatchers are instrumental in managing reported outages and efficiently directing crews to restore power. By utilizing advanced software, dispatchers verify outages and communicate essential information to field crews, enabling swift and effective response efforts. “Technology has changed the way we respond to outages. From the Command Center, I coordinate the response effort based on information collected from members and the outage management system,” said Leslie Griffith, Lead CTEC System Dispatcher The video also highlights the critical role of linemen, the first responders in outage situations. Prepared for major weather events, linemen assess the situation, determine the cause of the outage, and create a comprehensive plan to restore power swiftly and safely. Through real-time updates from line crews and the outage management system, members can stay informed about outage status using the outage map or the SmartHub app.
To prevent outages, CTEC emphasizes system improvements and maintenance, including the vital task of tree trimming. “Tree trimming is one of the key roles of outage prevention,” said Rightof- Way Specialist Matthew Irons. By reporting tree trimming needs, members contribute to minimizing potential outages, fires, or damage to power lines.
During large outage events, CTEC employees shift their focus to restoration efforts, with different roles coming together to support the restoration process. Staking Techs and Meter Techs will patrol lines, identify damage, and create job orders for repairs. They also assist in creating material lists and ensuring the availability of necessary supplies, while the warehouse team ensures proper inventory management, keeping a surplus of materials ready for repairs.
“Often emergency power outages offer their own set of safety risks,” said Mitch Elmore, Director of Operations and Engineering. Safety remains the top priority for CTEC, with regular safety meetings, tailboards, and ongoing training to educate employees about safety protocols. The collective efforts of CTEC employees have resulted in an outstanding achievement of working over 900,000 hours without a lost time accident, with a goal of reaching 1 million hours by October.
In closing, Tachi Hinojosa expresses his appreciation to the dedicated employees of CTEC and extends gratitude to members for their support and involvement.
To watch the video and learn more about CTEC's commitment to outage response and safety, please visit the CTEC website or follow CTEC on Facebook.
The board election portion of the meeting followed; Mr. Hinojosa announced that only one application was received from District 6. Therefore, after receiving a nomination and a second, incumbent James Low from Cherokee, Texas, was elected by acclamation, to be the District 6 nominee for director. He will now be on the election ballot at the Annual Meeting of CTEC members in August.
The meeting then had a question- and-answer session with CEO Hinojosa and concluded with a drawing for door prizes.
CTEC’s Annual Membership Meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at 7:00 p.m., in the Fredericksburg High School Auditorium in Fredericksburg. Members that cannot attend this meeting in person are encouraged to mail in their proxy, which will be included in the August edition of Texas Co-op Power magazine.
Patricia Stehling / Communications Coordinator / Central Texas Electric Co-op