irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2023
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $0PROVIDE HIGH SPEED INTERNET SERVICE ON A COOPERATIVE BASIS THROUGH THE ALLOCATION OF PATRONAGE CAPITAL TO ALL MEMBER-PATRONS OF THE BROADBAND BUSINESS.PATRONAGE BASIS 2,775 MEMBERSNONPATRONAGE BASIS 886 NONMEMBERS
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Annual Member Meeting and Board Elections
Democratic governance process allowing members to vote for or run for the Board of Directors, ensuring member control and accountability
Capital Credits Program
Member economic participation model where surpluses are allocated as capital credits and repaid to members on a rotating cycle based on their usage
Grid Reliability and Modernization
Ongoing investment in system repairs, maintenance, and upgrades including transformers, substations, and automated switching technologies to enhance grid resilience and support growing energy demand
OEConnect Broadband
Fiber-to-the-home internet service offering speeds up to 1 Gig, VOIP phone, and Wi-Fi extenders; serves both member-patrons and nonmembers on a cooperative basis with patronage capital allocations
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Electric Grid Operations & Reliability 5 activities
- Conduct strategic infrastructure upgrades and modernizationEngages in ongoing system repairs, maintenance, and proactive equipment updates including line relocations, transformer upgrades, and deployment of automated switching devices, drones, and monitoring systems to improve grid efficiency, reduce outages, and support future demand.
- Deliver electric service to member-consumers in Central New YorkProvides safe and reliable electric service for home heating, lighting, and household appliances across four counties, serving over 5,000 metered locations. Maintains 773.9 miles of power lines, 7 substations, and over 13,600 utility poles as part of ongoing grid operations.
- Energize new connections and maintain service infrastructureEnergized 53.5 miles of power lines to connect 85 new members and maintains active meters and distribution infrastructure across the service territory.
- Establish service fees and governance structuresEstablishes fees and charges for electric service access and delivery, and elects board directors to three-year terms to govern cooperative operations.
- Manage electric grid reliability during peak demand and outagesImplements measures to maintain reliable service during periods of high demand, using automated outage systems to track reports, dispatch crews, and prioritize restoration—repairing major feeders and substations first. Provides an outage map to keep members informed.
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Local High School Scholarship Programs 1 activity
- Award annual scholarships to graduating seniorsProvides an annual scholarship to a graduating high school senior as part of community support initiatives.
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Regular Membership Meetings 1 activity
- Host annual and regular board meetings for member engagementHolds an annual meeting for members each August at Cooperstown Central School and conducts monthly board meetings on the last Monday of each month at 4:00 p.m., with public sessions available for member comments and questions about cooperative business.
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Community Broadband Infrastructure Development 1 activity
- Operate and expand broadband internet services through OEConnect LLCProvides high-speed fiber-to-the-home internet (up to 1 Gig), VOIP phone, and Wi-Fi extenders via its wholly owned subsidiary OEConnect LLC, serving 4,500 customers. Also offers satellite internet and allocates patronage capital to both member-patrons and nonmembers on a cooperative basis.
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financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$13.10M
Contributions & grants$00%
Program service revenue$13.05M100%
Investment income$59K0%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$12.73M
Program expenses0%
Admin / overhead0%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$2.55M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$54.92M
Cash$3.11M
Investments$1.27M
Liabilities$39.24M
Net assets$15.68M
Liquid reserves4.1 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2023 · YoY revenue +25.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
paid leadership · 14
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| TIMOTHY R JOHNSON | CEO/counsel | 43 | $261K |
| KEVIN M ROTTINGEN | LINE FOREMAN | 44 | $221K |
| STEVEN SICKLER | CONSTRUCT FOREMAN | 44 | $195K |
| JUSTIN MARCH | MAINTENANCE FOREMA | 43 | $173K |
| BRAD ALGER | 1ST CLASS LINEMAN | 45 | $157K |
| Frederick Beardslee Jr | APPRENTICE LINEMAN | 44 | $124K |
| CODY ALLEN | DIRECTOR ACCT | 47 | $123K |
| PATRICK HOOKER | Director | 10 | $9K |
| GARY POTTER | President | 3 | $8K |
| EDWARD CLARKE | Treasurer | 2 | $7K |
| CHARLES ARNOLD | Vice President | 2 | $7K |
| STEVEN CHILD | Secretary | 2 | $5K |
| FREDERICK BRAUN JR | DIRECTOR | 2 | $4K |
| AMY PARR | DIRECTOR | 2 | $4K |
relationships · 7
Who they work with
- Board of Directors Coalition — Group of member-elected directors responsible for overseeing cooperative operations and representing member interests.
- Members Partner — Collaborates with members to reduce electricity demand during peak periods.
- National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Government — Timothy Johnson served on staff at NRECA, indicating a professional affiliation between OEC leadership and the national association.
- New York Power Authority Partner — Primary supplier of hydropower, providing over 80% of OEC's electricity through long-term contracts.
- OEConnect Partner — Brand or subsidiary providing high-speed internet and related services in conjunction with Otsego Electric Cooperative.
- OEConnect LLC Partner — Wholly owned subsidiary through which Otsego Electric Cooperative provides fiber-to-the-home broadband services.
- War Production Board Government — Required approval from the War Production Board to construct power lines during World War II.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Cost-Based Rate Management and Long-Term Contractsmethodology: cost_of_service_pricingBy using cost-of-service rate assessments, independent verification, and long-term hydropower contracts, the cooperative maintains low, transparent, and stable energy costs for members, reducing financial volatility and enhancing affordability.
- Demand-Side Energy Management Through Member Engagementmethodology: peak_demand_managementBy engaging members in conservation during peak hours, the cooperative reduces grid strain and avoids higher infrastructure or procurement costs, improving system reliability and sustaining affordability.
- Democratic Member Control and Governancemethodology: democratic_member_controlBy ensuring one member, one vote, and reserving space for public input in board meetings, the cooperative fosters inclusive decision-making and accountability, strengthening trust and engagement between members and leadership.
- Member-Owned Cooperative Modelmethodology: member_owned_cooperative_modelBy operating as a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative with democratic governance and shared financial benefits (e.g., capital credits), the organization aligns service delivery and cost management directly with member interests, ensuring accountability and reinvestment in both the cooperative and rural communities.