NEC - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Cooperative in 2003 As Manager of Finance and Accounting
- Manager of Finance & Accounting
As a Native Newberrian, Arthur joined the Cooperative in 2003 as Manager of Finance and Accounting, bringing along 15 years of auditing and tax experience to the day-to-day financial operations. He oversees Accounting, Customer Service, and Billing, along with aspects of Information Technology. Arthur earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Newberry College in Business Administration and Accounting. He also has experience with Rural Utilities Service USDA Accounting. Arthur is responsible for planning, managing, budgeting, and rate structures for daily financial operations at the co-op. His achievements include receiving his Cooperative Financial Professional Certification through NRECA and CFC, Leadership Newberry County through the Newberry County Chamber of Commerce, and also being a member of the National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives.
Job Titles:
- Manager of Office Services
Carla began her career with Newberry Electric Cooperative in 2005 in the Customer Service Department, then transitioned to Engineering & Operations, Dispatcher. She has served on various committees, including safety and policy review. As Manager of Office Services, she oversees office functions such as customer service and billing. Carla is a magna cum laude graduate of Newberry College and is currently pursuing an MBA from the University of South Carolina Aiken. She is also a Certified System Operator through Northwest Lineman College. Carla has four children and is a lifelong resident of Newberry County. She is active in W.I.R.E. (Women Involved in Rural Electrification), serving as Treasurer and past Secretary. She is also a worship and music leader at Bethel Baptist Church and enjoys singing and playing the trumpet.
Mr. Bishop and his wife, Joyce, reside on Bush River Road in Newberry. They attend St. James Lutheran Church in Jalapa. Mr. Bishop is a self-employed farmer and owner of Bishop Farms. He is a member of the Bush River Young Farmers Association and the South Carolina Dairy Board. Mr. Bishop serves District 2.
Job Titles:
- VP of Member, Public, & Government Relations
Debra has been with the co-op world for 25 years, 10 years at Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative and the last 15 years at NEC. Debra currently serves as VP of Member, Public, and Government Relations. During her tenure at NEC, she has completed two certificate programs, attaining the status of Certified Cooperative Communicator and a Certified Key Accounts Executive. Debra has a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources, and Master of Science in Business Management from Southern Wesleyan University. Debra lobbies at the Statehouse on behalf of NEC and is responsible for the South Carolina Living Magazine content, Marketing and Advertising, as well as Public Relations.
Mr. Hipp and his wife, Pamela, reside on Stoney Hill Road in Prosperity. Mr. Hipp has two children and five grandchildren. They are members of Macedonia Lutheran Church where Mr. Hipp is an active member, serving on church council. Mr. Hipp is employed with Truck Supply Company of SC, Inc. Mr. Hipp has achieved Gold Accreditation from National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) and serves District 3.
Mr. Kesler and his wife, Frieda, reside on Trinity Church Road in Newberry. Mr. Kesler has four children and six grandchildren. They are active members of Trinity Methodist Church. Mr. Kesler is a graduate of Newberry College. Mr. Kesler is employed with Trinity Farms, LLP and volunteers at the Silverstreet Fire Department, serving as Chief. Mr. Kesler serves as a trustee on the Newberry Farm Bureau, the South Carolina Farm Bureau Marketing Board, and as a trustee for the John de la Howe School. Mr. Kesler has achieved Director Gold Accreditation from NRECA and serves District 2.
Mr. Nichols and his wife, Delores, live on SC Highway 395 in Newberry. They attend St. Luke's Lutheran Church. In addition to serving on the NEC Board of Directors, Mr. Nichols is employed by Fulmer Building Supply. Mr. Nichols is also a member of the Newberry County Cattleman's Association, as well as Newberry Dove and Quail. Mr. Nichols is retired from the South Carolina National Guard, where he served for 24 years. He is also a former member of the Church Council. Mr. Nichols serves District 2.
Mr. Dickert and his wife, Rachel, reside on Old Whitmire Highway in Newberry. They have a son, daughter-in-law, three grandchildren, and one great grandson. They also had a daughter, son-in-law, and two grandchildren who are deceased. The Dickerts are members of Mayer Memorial Lutheran Church, where Mr. Dickert serves on the church council. He is retired from Dickert Lumber Company. He is a graduate of Newberry College and serves as Chairman of the NEC Board of Directors. Mr. Dickert serves on numerous Boards, including The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina, Central Electric Cooperative, CEE-US Line Equipment, and The SC Power Team. Mr. Dickert serves District 1 and is Director Gold Certified from The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).
Job Titles:
- New VP of Engineering
- VP of Engineering
NEC welcomes new VP of Engineering, Kevin Shull, to Newberry. Kevin is a VP of Engineering and has been with the co-op since June of 2022. He is no stranger to the co-op world, as he was employed with Fairfield Electric Cooperative in Blythewood, SC for the past 17 years, serving as VP of Operations for the last 4. Kevin enjoys listening to Country music, specifically by his favorite artist, Morgan Wallen. In his spare time, Kevin enjoys hunting, fishing, and fixing up old houses. He enjoys vacationing in Costa Rica and enjoys watching his favorite movie, Smokey and the Bandit. One thing people may not know about Kevin is that he has his Captain's License. Kevin is a graduate of the Electronics Engineering Program at Midlands Technical College, and he has an Electrical Engineering Degree from The University of South Carolina.
Leann H. Hutto has been with NEC since 2012. She currently serves as VP of Human Resources. In the past, Leann has serves as Chair of the Electric Cooperatives of SC HR Association, as well as The Newberry County Chamber Board. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Columbia College, and has completed her Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of South Carolina where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. She has completed the NRECA Management Internship Program (MIP), we well as Leadership Newberry County. Her responsibilities and areas of expertise are in safety, benefits and compensation, training and development, employee relations, and compliance.
Mr. Fulmer and his wife, Meredith live on Dreher Island Road in Prosperity. They have 3 sons, Lee, Lyle, and Noah, and they attend Macedonia Lutheran Church. In addition to serving on the NEC Board of Directors, Mr. Fulmer is self-employed as owner of Dreher Island Produce, Rocky Hill Farms, and Country Side Farms, Inc. Mr. Fulmer is a member of The Newberry County 4-H Advisory Board, and served as a technical advisor for the SC Poultry Federation. He is also a member of Fairview Fire Department. Mr. Fulmer is a life-long resident of Newberry, and graduated from Mid-Carolina High School in 1992. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Engineering from Clemson University in 1996. He has served on the NEC Board since 2015 and has completed the Director's Gold Certification.
Mr. Brigman and his wife, Jennifer, reside on Bachman Chapel Road in Prosperity. They have two sons, Madison Reid Brigman, and Claude Rhett Brigman. They are members of Crosspoint Church. Mr. Brigman is employed as President of Tom Brigman Contractors, Inc. He is a 1995 graduate of Clemson University, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Construction Management. Mr. Brigman is Board Leadership Certified through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) and serves District 1.
Mrs. Hawkins and her husband, Patrick, reside on Bethel Church Road and have two children, Claire and Ben. They are active members of Macedonia Lutheran Church in Prosperity. Mrs. Hawkins and Patrick are co-owners of Red Bard Custom Cabinets, Inc. Mrs. Hawkins has a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Winthrop University and a Master's Degree in Elementary Education from Lander University. She is a reading Intervention Instructor at Little Mountain Elementary. Mrs. Hawkins has obtained the Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) and serves District 3.
Mr. Lominick and his wife, Mindy, live on Big Pine Road in Newberry. They have a daughter, Adrian L. McDade, and a son, William B. Lominick, Jr. They have five grandchildren, AJ Millis, Harper Lominick, Preston Lominick, Aubrey McDade, and Hayes McDade. They attend St. Phillip's Lutheran Church. In addition to serving on the NEC Board of Directors, Mr. Lominick is owner of Big Pine Logging, Inc., and W.B. Lominick Logging, Association. He also serves on the Board of The Newberry County Farm Bureau, and serves as the SC Farm Bureau State Director.