Rich Mountain Electric Annual Meeting Update
By: Brad Castor, President/CEO
During the business session of the Annual Meeting held on Nov. 26, 2025, at the Cooperative’s headquarters in Mena, President/CEO Brad Castor reported that Rich Mountain Electric Cooperative members, voting by mail ballot, elected one director to the Cooperative’s Board. Mark Robbins certified that 6,623 ballots had been mailed to the members on Nov. 4, 2025.
The Election Committee, consisting of Phillip Hatley, Sharon Cole and Carol Fields, certified that a total of 761 valid ballots had been returned. The results of the balloting were as follows:
District # 1 Hershell Bell 761 votes
Chairman of the Board Buddy Newbolt, presided at the Annual Meeting. President/CEO Brad Castor reviewed several key items covered in the annual report mailed earlier to the Cooperative’s membership. He also reported on the Cooperative service and personnel survey that was included with the ballot.
Mattie Weatherspoon, CPA, of Heard, McElroy and Vestal, LLC., presented the independent audit report. Members who wish to examine the report may do so at the Mena office. She also reported on the results of the director election. Office Manager Chris Parker announced that the winner of the drawing from the ballot envelopes was Melanie Cowart.
The Board of Directors held officer elections after the Annual Meeting. Those elected to officer positions were as follows: Buddy Newbolt of Cherry Hill, Chairman; Larry Dunaway of Mena, Vice Chairman; and Mark Robbins of Alder Springs, Secretary-Treasurer.
Notice to any member who had questions or specific service problems noted on their ballot: Since the Cooperative’s ballots are secret, we have no way of knowing who you are. Please notify the Mena or Dierks office of your request. Mena at (479) 394-4140 or 1-877-828-4074 or Dierks at (870) 286-2012.
