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Rio Grande Electric Cooperative Holds 81st Annual Meeting and Announces 2026 Director Election Results

Rio Grande Electric Cooperative, Inc. (RGEC) held its 81st Annual Meeting virtually on Saturday, October 10, 2026, beginning at 10:00 a.m. CDT. Members gathered online to hear reports from Cooperative leadership, receive updates on RGEC’s operations and activities, and conduct other Cooperative business.

The meeting featured Emcee Conrad Dalton, who welcomed members and introduced the Cooperative’s Board leadership. The program included the National Anthem by Dana Johnson, the Pledge of Allegiance, and an Invocation by Margarita Nelson, followed by instructions for participating virtually and using the meeting’s available features.

Members heard updates from Board President Jamie Ballew, Treasurer Howard Wakefield, Chief Financial Officer Angel Narvaez, and Chief Executive Officer Theresa Quiroz. The meeting also recognized the 2026 RGEC Sharing Success Grant recipients.

2026 Director Election Results Announced

RGEC’s Board of Directors selected Survey & Ballot Systems, a company specializing in conducting elections, to administer the 2026 director elections. Ballots were mailed to 7,263 eligible Cooperative members, and 753 ballots were returned by mail or electronically by the October 7, 2026, deadline. The returned ballots represented 10.37% of eligible membership.

The election results were as follows:

Director District 2A

No nominations were received by the July 5, 2026, deadline, leaving no candidates on the ballot. In accordance with RGEC’s Bylaws, members were provided an opportunity to vote for write-in candidates. To be elected, a write-in candidate had to receive at least 15 votes and meet the qualifications for office, consent to serve, and submit the required affidavit of eligibility and other documentation.

District 2A recorded 22 write-in votes and 731 unexercised ballots. No write-in candidate received the required 15 votes; the candidate receiving the most write-in votes received only three. Consequently, no director was elected for District 2A.

Director District 5

William “Billy” Foster, the incumbent, received 665 votes. The district also recorded three write-in votes and 85 unexercised ballots.

William “Billy” Foster was reelected with 99.6% of the votes cast for candidates in the district.

Director District 6

Incumbent Damon Harrison received 393 votes, while Rowdy Holmsley received 324 votes. The district recorded one write-in vote and 35 unexercised ballots.

Damon Harrison won the election with 54.7% of the votes cast for candidates in the district.

Director District 8

Incumbent Bryon Garrison received 357 votes, while Paul Golliner received 359 votes. The district recorded three write-in votes and 34 unexercised ballots.

Under RGEC’s Bylaws, directors are elected by a plurality vote, meaning the candidate who receives the most votes wins, even without a majority. Paul Golliner won the election with 359 votes, receiving 49.9% of the votes cast for candidates in the district.

Member Participation and Cooperative Updates

The 81st Annual Meeting provided members with an opportunity to hear directly from Cooperative leadership, learn about RGEC’s activities, and participate in the business of their electric cooperative. The director election results reflected the votes received by candidates across the four districts scheduled for election.

RGEC appreciates the participation of its members and the continued support of the communities it serves. The Cooperative looks forward to continuing its work on behalf of its membership and providing reliable service throughout its service territory.

 

Meeting Resources