MTE reflects on ‘Defining Moments’ at 2026 Annual Meeting

Middle Tennessee Electric (MTE) leadership updated cooperative members about the status of the organization and answered questions during its livestreamed Annual Meeting on Aug. 22. 

“For 90 years, MTE has done more than deliver electricity. We’ve worked to improve the quality of life for our members and our communities, guided by a commitment to service that remains as strong as ever today,” MTE President/CEO Chris Jones said. “Because MTE is more than an electric cooperative. We’re a community of employees, members and neighbors working together to make life better for one another.” 

Members had the opportunity to vote for both the MTE Board of Directors and the Nominating Committee candidates during the week leading up to the Annual Meeting. Per the cooperative’s bylaws, the election results were announced during the Annual Meeting. Three incumbents were re-elected to the board of directors: Scott Murphy – Williamson County (District 1A); Ross Bradley – Rutherford County (District 2D) and Hal Bone – Wilson County (District 4B). In the contested election for Rutherford County’s District 2C, Will Jordan was re-elected by members.  

MTE board members serve staggered three-year terms, and the Nominating Committee is responsible for nominating next year’s board of directors candidates. The 2026-2027 Nominating Committee election resulted in the appointment of Jessica Davey, Karen Paris and Juanita Patton from District 1 (Williamson County); Teb Batey, Tracey Binkley, Michael Busey and Jamey Faulkner from District 2 (Rutherford County); Jeanne Melton from District 3 (Cannon County); and Greg Butler, Zachary Butler and Sonya Smith Wright from District 4 (Wilson County). 

Items of note from the Annual Meeting included:

• As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, MTE’s commitment to affordability for members has kept its average cost per kilowatt-hour at 30% below the national average, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.  
• MTE’s continued community involvement was highlighted through educational events like career days at local schools and energy service programs like Home Uplift.  
• Reflection on Winter Storm Fern and the organization-wide effort to restore power for MTE members.  

Following this update, members’ questions were answered live during a Q&A session. Members inquired about generator safety and maintenance, youth programs, affordability, future challenges for electric co-ops, data centers and more.  

To watch the Annual Meeting video, visit mte.com/AnnualMeeting.