Texas Electric Cooperatives has announced an alliance with Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative, a South Central Texas electrical cooperative. The agreement brings more than 9,800 miles of line and more than 80,000 meters in thirteen counties into areas currently served by TEC alliance partnerships.
“This alliance is important on many levels,” said Johnny Andrews, chief operating officer of TEC Manufacturing & Distribution Services. “Not only is Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative an important force in the South Central Texas power infrastructure, they are a leader in using technology to benefit their members. We look forward to working together to serve GVEC members.”
GVEC began serving South Central Texans in 1938, and recognizes that the definition of “utility” is expanding. In response, the company has broadened its services to stay ahead of continuous industry changes. Initially, modern rural residents faced the same kind of challenges getting internet service that their predecessors experienced getting electricity. Because of this, the coop created GVEC.net in 1998, becoming the first provider in the more rural parts of its service area. GVEC.net remains on top of rapid technological changes, with offerings such as ultra-high speed fiber connections. Other innovative approaches GVEC uses to serve its members include HVAC sales and promoting the use of renewables through selling and installing solar panels. The company also spearheads the SunHub Community Solar Program.
“Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative is constantly looking for new and better ways to serve our members,” said Darren Schauer, GVEC chief executive officer. “An alliance with TEC, and utilizing the power of cooperative principles certainly fits that bill.”
The agreement with GVEC marks TEC’s 23rd alliance partnership to date. “Every new alliance strengthens the negotiating power of cooperatives who are already partners,” Andrews explained. “That’s why expanding alliance partnerships has become a priority for TEC leadership.”
TEC built the alliance partnership initiative around the idea of strengthening Texas cooperatives in an increasingly competitive market. In addition to other valuable services that TEC provides its member cooperatives, the alliance supply model is fundamental because it immediately reduces operational and redundant costs, producing an immediate benefit for each cooperative’s bottom line. Leveraging the aggregation and scale that alliance partnerships create, TEC makes high-quality products from leading manufacturers available at competitive prices. TEC is proud to be able to pass on those savings to its member cooperatives.
About Texas Electric Cooperatives: Serving our members since 1941, Texas Electric Cooperatives represents the interests of 75 electric cooperatives with more than three million members throughout the state. TEC serves its members by providing products and services that help sustain cooperative businesses in the 21st century and offers a full line of utility supplies and services through its Manufacturing & Distribution Services facility headquartered in Georgetown. For more information, visit: http://www.texas-ec.org/about.
About Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative: Since 1939, GVEC has served residents of the Guadalupe River valley and beyond. Today, its service area covers 3,500 square miles, contains more than 9,800 miles of line and more than 80,000 meters. Serving all or part of 13 counties, GVEC is one of the largest and most progressive cooperatives in Texas. The company offers services that go beyond electric utilities to serve members and communities with services such as internet and HVAC. For more information, visit: www.gvec.org.
