2026 Annual Meeting
Celebrating 90 Years of Power with PurposeVOTING AND REGISTRATION OPENS JULY 20 @ 8:00 A.M.
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NGEMC Board of Directors Election
Voting opens on July 20, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. and closes on Aug. 6, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Find voting guidelines and information below.
Registrations and Voting Guidelines
Only NGEMC members may register for the 2026 Annual Business Meeting and vote in elections for the Board of Directors. Members may register online or in person for the virtual meeting from July 20-Aug. 6.
Voting in director elections can be done online, in person or by mail-in ballot. Only active members as of June 3, 2026, will be able to vote in director elections.
To register/vote, you’ll use the 16-digit access code printed near the mailing label of your July 2026 Georgia Magazine -or- access your ballot with the unique link that will be mailed to you when voting opens. Links will be sent to members with an email address on file.
Online: Voting is open online from 8 a.m., Monday, July 20, to 5 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 6. You can access the online ballot through the webpage with your 16-digit voter key or through the direct email link mentioned above.
In person: Members can vote in person at the district meetings listed on this page. Advance in-person voting available during regular business hours at any NGEMC office from July 20 to Aug. 6. Please detach and bring this card with you to any district meeting to expedite your registration in person.
Mail-in ballots: Available by request from July 20 to July 31. Must be postmarked by July 31.
A link will be sent to registrants to view a recording of the business meeting on Thursday, Aug. 6. The full broadcast will also be available on the Annual Meeting web page.
For more details or to submit questions or new business (deadline July 15), please call your local office or send us a message.
2025 NGEMC Annual Meeting Minutes
As printed in the July 2026 Georgia Magazine
Mr. Ted Clark, Chairman of the Cooperative, called the 2025 Annual Business Meeting of North Georgia Electric Membership Corporation to order. Mr. Clark welcomed all members and thanked those attending the community meeting. He later turned the meeting over to Henry Tharpe, Attorney for North Georgia EMC.
Mr. Tharpe read the proof of notice of the 2025 Annual Meeting of the Members. Mr. Tharpe stated that Georgia Magazine, which included the official notification of the 2025 Annual Meeting of the Members, had been sent to all members of record as of June 2, 2025, and magazines had been presented to comply with the Bylaws stating that notification must be deposited with the United States Postal Service. Mr. Tharpe then declared the Annual Meeting of the Members lawfully convened.
Mr. Tharpe then informed the members that the 2024 Annual Meeting minutes were printed in the July 2025 Georgia Magazine and members who register online or in person confirm and approve of the minutes.
Mr. Tharpe stated the next order of business would be the election of a director from District 2 and District 4. Mr. Tharpe reviewed the procedures to be followed in the election of directors, stating there are two ways to nominate a candidate: (1) nominations by petition signed by fifty or more members of the county to be elected; and (2) nominations by Nominating Committee.
The Nominating Committee candidates were Mr. Jason Parker, District 2, and John Howard, District 4.
Mr. Tharpe informed the members that no candidates by petition were received. Therefore, Mr. Jason Parker, District 2, and John Howard, District 4, were duly elected. Mr. Tharpe turned the meeting over to Mrs. Kathryn West.
Mrs. West gave her President’s Remarks, and introduced a video that presented the Chairman’s Report, which included the accomplishments of the last 12 months and the Cooperative’s financial condition.
The CEO thanked the members for watching the 89th Annual Membership Meeting and expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve NGEMC’s members. There being no further business, Mrs. West then declared the meeting adjourned.
CANDIDATES: NGEMC BOARD DISTRICT 1
Skip Mitchell
Ben “Skip” Mitchell has served on the North Georgia EMC Board of Directors since August 2024, when he was appointed to complete an unexpired term.
Mitchell was a successful businessman for 23 years, having owned a Nationwide Insurance agency.
Mitchell holds a Master of Divinity degree from Emory University, and, as an ordained minister, retired in 2023 after
serving 21 years in the church.
He has always been active within the community, having worked with various organizations including Habitat for Humanity Board, United Way Board, DFACS Board, Kiwanis Club President and tornado cleanup teams in northwest Georgia, including Ringgold.
Mitchell and his wife, Pamela, live in Catoosa County near Fort Oglethorpe.
Mitchell says, “Serving on the NGEMC Board allows me to serve the members in Catoosa County. Being retired, I am able to commit sufficient time to the responsibilities required of a Board member. I look forward to continuing that role.”
Kerri Sholl
Kerri Sholl began her teaching career at Graysville Elementary School (GES) in 1992.
After teaching fifth grade for 12 years, Sholl became the Assistant Principal in 2005. Eight years later, Sholl was named GES’s Principal in 2013.
Sholl received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and went on to receive her Masters of Education degree and Educational Specialist degree from Lincoln Memorial University.
She was raised in Ringgold and even attended Graysville as a child. When not working, Sholl enjoys spending time with
her husband, Mike, daughter and son-in-law, Kensey and Matt Holden, son and daughter-in-law, Kile and Courtney
Sholl, daughter Karoline Sholl and her fiancé, Gavin Hollis.
Her favorite hobbies include sports, traveling, thrifting, reading and cheering for the Tennessee Vols, but her favorite pastime is spoiling her grandchildren, Adeline, Tenlee, Stone, Sutton, Steele, Stokes and McClane!
CANDIDATES: NGEMC BOARD DISTRICT 3
Mark Thomas
Mark Thomas is the Vice Chairman of the North Georgia EMC Board of Directors and the Director for District 3, which serves portions of Whitfield and Catoosa counties.
Thomas was originally appointed to the board in June 2015 and was reelected to serve on the board for three-year terms in 2017, 2020 and 2023.
The most rewarding aspect of Thomas’ service to the cooperative has been his interaction with members and neighbors when they call on him for assistance during power outages or with other needs.
A lifelong resident of Whitfield County, Thomas has been a poultry and beef cattle farmer for 40 years. He is also actively involved in Georgia Farm Bureau, the Georgia Cattleman’s Association and Gideons International. Thomas and his wife, April, have two children, Abby (Blake) Hefner and David Thomas, and one grandchild, Sophie. They are members of Grove Level Baptist Church in Dalton.
Tristan Fritz
Born and raised in Dalton, Tristan Fritz is a lifelong resident of Whitfield County. Fritz is a firm believer that strong communities are built on people who show up and put in real effort. NGEMC’s members deserve someone who will bring practical, common-sense leadership that puts members first.
In his free time, Fritz often explores his passions of wrenching on cars, amateur astronomy, rocketry and golfing. These hobbies reflect his curiosity of the world around us, hands-on nature and love for problem-solving.
For the past several years, Fritz has worked as an independent contractor, managing everything from facility maintenance to trade show audiovisual integrations. These roles have sharpened his ability to troubleshoot complex
systems, manage large projects and deliver results in fast-paced environments.
Fritz is proud to call North Georgia home and would be honored to bring NGEMC’s members a brighter future.