Claiborne Electric’s newly hired General Manager & CEO Michael Marcotte officially joined the Co-op on May 1.

Marcotte comes to Claiborne Electric from central Louisiana with more than 30 years of experience in the electrical utility industry. Most recently, he spent nearly 15 years as Director of Utilities for the City of Alexandria, the second largest municipal electric utility in the state. In that role, Marcotte managed all business units of the city’s Utility Division, which included electric transmission and distribution systems, a natural gas utility, water and wastewater systems, and a stand-alone broadband system.

In Alexandria, Marcotte oversaw more than 200 employees and managed an annual operating budget of $105 million. Within the city’s electric utility, he was responsible for nearly 33,000 meters across the 198 MW system. During his time at the city, he led several system-wide initiatives to improve electric system reliability and customer service.

Since joining Claiborne Electric, Marcotte has graduated from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA) New Manager Training program. He has also spent time training with the Co-op’s management team and Board of Directors.

“I’ve spent most of my career in the private sector, but I’ve always admired how electric cooperatives operate,” Marcotte said. “I’m excited to join the Claiborne Electric team, and I’m eager to lead the Co-op, its employees, and the membership through many years to come.”

Marcotte and his wife, Stephanie, are both graduates of Louisiana Tech University’s College of Engineering. They have three children: Douglas, Abigail and Lillian. Douglas and Abigail are also graduates of Louisiana Tech’s College of Engineering. Marcotte is involved in various civic organizations, and in his free time, he enjoys refereeing youth and high school soccer.

Claiborne Electric members will notice a significant change in the way electric bills look beginning in mid-July.

Printed electric bills are changing to a new, modern bill format. For several months, the Co-op’s billing management team has worked to come up with a format that is packed with important information, while simultaneously being easy to read. The guide below will help members get acquainted with the new format.

Members who have questions about the new bill can call 318-927-3504 (Homer) or 318-368-3011 (Farmerville) and a Member Service Representative will be glad to help!

How to read the new bill:

Follow the numbers below as a guide to reading the new billing format.

1. Amount due on account.

2. Account number. Please refer to this number when calling in or making payments.

3. Billing Summary shows activity since last billing.

4. Message Center for important messages from Claiborne Electric.

5. Meter location and meter reading information.

6. By following the graph key, members can see monthly usage along with monthly high and low temperature information. Members can compare usage with the previous year.

7. Current detail of charges for electric use.

8. Account number and amount due. Return the stub with check or cash payment.

9. Payment options

If any personal information is incorrect on the front side of the bill, there is space on the reverse side to make corrections.

Thank you to the 1,440 members who attended the 2024 Annual Membership Meeting!
We came very close to setting a meeting attendance record.

In the election for the District One Board of Directors seat, Hez Elkins won with 73% of the vote.

Prize winners are listed below and will be contacted about how to accept prizes.

Prize winners are as follows:
BARHAM, CYNTHIA – $1,000.00
WATLEY, SHARON – $2,000.00
ROACH, MITCHELL – $3,000.00
VENTROY, VERDELL – $4,000.00
GOODWIN, TERREL – $5,000.00
MCDOUGLE, OTIS – $500 registration card (Farmerville site)
CALLEN, SUZONNE – $500 registration card (Homer site)
STROZIER, ANGELA – $100.00
WALKER, STEPHANIE – $100.00
SIMS, LESTER – $100.00
TUBBS, FRANCIS – $100.00
HARRINGTON, RAYMOND – $100.00
CHENNAULT, JOHN – $100.00
AULDS, KENNETH – $100.00
HAMNER, LW Jr. – $100.00
BRYAN, RHONDA – $100.00
CHE, WENDY – $100.00
KELLEY, BECKY – $100.00
WILSON, JOANNA – $100.00
PARKS, EDRIE – $100.00
ADAMS, YVETTE – $100.00
TAYLOR, LARRY – $100.00
SHARP, JUSTIN – $100.00
OTWELL, ANITA – $100.00
BONVILLIAN, MAYANN – $100.00
LOCKARD, ROBERT – $100.00
WOODS, SUZANNE – $100.00
CULVERHOUSE, RONALD – $100.00
PETTIS, JONATHAN – $100.00
STUBBLEFIELD, BENNY – $100.00
LYLES, MARSHALL – $100.00
AMOS, CLOTIS – $100.00
BOWEN, TERESA – $100.00
MCCLINTON, HASKELL – $100.00
CASKEY, TEDDY – $100.00
JENKINS, GWENDOLYN – $100.00
TAYLOR, LEON – $100.00
CHENEY, EUGENE – $100.00
BEACH, RYAN – $100.00
SPEER, MEGAN – $100.00
HUDSON, DANNY – $100.00
JONES, DORIS – $100.00
HAMPTON, LISA – $100.00
BANKS, NORAH Jr. – $100.00
CASKEY, JOHN – $100.00
DISON, FRANCES – $100.00
FARRAR, RICHARD – $100.00
WINZER, WILLIE – $100.00
SIMONS, DAVID – $100.00
NELSON, JIMMY – $100.00
NELSON, GRETA – $100.00
WADE, CLAUDIA – $100.00
DUTY, KRISTA – $100.00
WALSWORTH, MICHAEL – $100.00
AUGER, BAYLEE – $100.00
MORTON, DAVID – $100.00

On April 30, Claiborne Electric’s General Manager and CEO Mark Brown retired after a 42-year career in electric cooperatives and 18 years of service to Claiborne Electric.

He has been an asset to the Cooperative, its members, and each community served by Claiborne Electric.

On the afternoon of his retirement, his co-workers, family and friends gathered to celebrate his career and wish him well in retirement.