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After 38 years of dedicated service to West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC), our new Interim Executive Vice President and CEO has seen our cooperative grow, adapt, and serve generations of members.

Will Melton began his career at WFEC in 1988 as a meter reader in the Sneads district. A few years later, he became an apprentice lineworker. After completing the Tennessee Valley Public Power Association (TVPPA) apprenticeship program and the necessary on-the-job training, he became a journeyman lineworker and was later awarded a line crew leader position. He moved into a staking technician role in 2019, and in 2020, was promoted to Manager, Operations and Construction in Sneads.

His most recent role was Director of Engineering and Operations where his duties entailed overseeing all linemen, operations, dispatch, engineering and warehouse staff in three district offices before being named Interim Executive Vice President and CEO by the Board of Trustees in June 2026. 64847002

“I am excited about the opportunity to build on the strong foundation that is already established while preparing our cooperative for the future. The electric industry is changing rapidly, and I believe WFEC is in a great position to embrace new technologies, improve efficiency, and continue providing reliable, affordable service to our members. I’m excited to work alongside an outstanding group of employees and a dedicated Board of Trustees as we continue moving our cooperative forward,” he said.

Melton credits many with his success at West Florida Electric, but no one more than Kenny Williams, aka “Pa,” stating that Williams taught him and many others what hard work looks like and what true leadership means. He also noted that he’s had the privilege of working beside countless other dedicated employees throughout his career who genuinely cared about the cooperative and the members it serves, and who through their professionalism and work ethics have helped shape him into the leader he is today.

Beyond his career, Melton says his greatest sources of strength have always been his faith in God and his supportive family. He and his wife, Julie, have been married for 27 years and have built a close-knit family that includes their son, Parker, their daughter, Payton Kressman, and her husband, Kaulder, who blessed them with a grandson, Kolt. He says their unwavering support has been constant throughout his career, keeping him grounded and reminding him each day of what matters most, serving others, working hard, and leaving things better for the next generation.

As a leader, Melton says he values trust, integrity, accountability, and communication from his team. “Great teams are built on people who genuinely care about one another, are willing to help one another succeed, and who are committed to doing what’s best for our co-op’s members. Every employee, regardless of their position, plays an important role in our success. When everyone works together toward a common goal, there’s very little that cannot be accomplished,” he said.

Looking to the future, Melton sees significant opportunities to strengthen WFEC’s reliability, modernize its electric distribution system, improve operational efficiency, and continue investing in employees. He believes emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, can help employees serve members more effectively and improve efficiency across the cooperative. 106721001

“Serving our members is the reason we are here. As a cooperative, every decision we make should be centered around providing safe, reliable, and affordable electric service while treating every member with respect. I take that responsibility seriously. Our members trust us to keep their lights on, especially during difficult times, and I never want to lose sight of that responsibility. They aren’t just customers - they are the owners of the cooperative,” said Melton.

“I’d like to thank our members for the trust they’ve placed in me. It’s truly an honor to serve as Interim CEO. I want them to know that our employees are among the finest they’ll find anywhere. They work through storms, long nights, weekends, and holidays to keep the lights on, often sacrificing time with their own families to serve yours.”

He continued, “As we move forward together, my commitment is simple: to lead with integrity, remain focused on our members, and support our employees, ensuring that WFEC continues to be a cooperative our communities can be proud of for generations to come.”