FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 11, 2026
Joe Wheeler EMC Holds Successful 89th Annual Meeting
Trinity, AL – Members of Joe Wheeler Electric Membership Corporation (JWEMC) gathered Saturday for the cooperative’s 89th Annual Meeting at the JWEMC Administration Building in Trinity. Members participated in the cooperative’s annual business meeting, trustee elections, and prize drawings while receiving updates on the continued growth of the cooperative and its family of companies.
The meeting was presided over by JWEMC Board President Ray Long, with the cooperative’s Board of Trustees in attendance.
Special guest Sean Strickler, Chief Operating Officer of the Alabama Rural Electric Association, traveled from Montgomery to address members. Strickler spoke about the strong partnership between electric cooperatives across Alabama, describing them as one large cooperative family that works together to serve rural communities.
He also praised the JWEMC linemen who traveled to Mississippi to assist with power restoration following Winter Storm FERN, noting the cooperative spirit of mutual aid that allows electric cooperatives to help one another during times of need.
Board of Trustees Elections
Members elected trustees in Districts 4, 5, and 6.
• District 4: Jimmie Halbrooks ran unopposed and received 2,412 votes.
• District 5: Incumbent Linda Owens was reelected with 1,673 votes, defeating challenger Anthony Shaneyfelt, who received 937 votes, for a total of 2,610 votes cast. Owens received 64 percent of the vote, eliminating the need for a runoff election.
• District 6: Sandy Fields ran unopposed and received 2,400 votes.
General Manager’s Report
JWEMC General Manager and CEO Gene Kanikovsky provided members with an update on the cooperative and its subsidiaries, highlighting continued growth and investment in local infrastructure.
Kanikovsky reported that FlashFiber has now surpassed 19,000 customers across Lawrence and Morgan counties. He also announced the recent launch of SmartTown, FlashFiber’s community Wi-Fi initiative designed to extend secure connectivity throughout local communities.
J.R. Knouff Scholarships
Ten outstanding local students were awarded $2,000 J.R. Knouff Scholarships:
Alexandra Harville – Moulton
Blakely Faulkner – Falkville
Anna Hutto – Moulton
Blaine Johnson – Danville
Max Parker – Decatur
Maehly Felciano-Jimenez – Hartselle
Isabella Mika – Moulton
Rachael Rotermand – Decatur
William Miller – Hartselle
Camille Bush – Moulton
Prize Winners
The grand prize of $3,500 in gift cards was awarded to Raymond Prater Morris Jr. of Falkville.
FlashFiber also gave away a 55-inch television to a FlashFiber customer in attendance at the Annual Meeting. The winner was Eric Byrd, who signed up for FlashFiber service during the event.
Winners of $100 gift cards included:
Sherry Hawkins Harp – Trinity
Margaret Woods Ayre – Falkville
Tom Summerford – Falkville
Stanley Standridge – Trinity
Ellison Maxine F – Decatur
Clifton James Jr. – Danville
Bonita R. Gordon – Hartselle
Zachary C. Ghrigsby – Moulton
Dwight Pelfrey – Moulton
Larry Keith Reed – Hillsboro
William K. Mills – Decatur
Royce Teague
A. M. Stephenson – Trinity
Brenda Faye Stacy – Mount Hope
Jason Paul Cartee – Danville
Looking Ahead
JWEMC leadership thanked members for their continued participation and support of the cooperative. The Annual Meeting remains an important tradition for the member-owned electric cooperative, providing members the opportunity to take part in the governance of their cooperative and stay informed about ongoing investments in electric, broadband, and natural gas services across the region.
For more information about Joe Wheeler EMC, FlashFiber, or Wheeler Basin Natural Gas, visit www.jwemc.coop
or contact Michael Cornelison at mcornelison@jwemc.org
or 256-552-2355.
