Coleman, Perkins Join TEC Board
August 6, 2025
The 47 voting delegates in attendance at the 85th TEC Annual Meeting, held in Austin in August, elected Jim Coleman, general manager of Jackson Electric Cooperative, representing Group 7, and Zac Perkins, CEO of Tri-County Electric Cooperative in Oklahoma, Group 5, to three-year terms on the statewide association’s board of directors.
The new board confirmed Bryan Wood, general manager of Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative, as its new chair. He replaces Avan Irani, CEO of Nueces Electric Cooperative, whose term ended at the meeting. Coleman was chosen as an officer by his fellow board members.
2025–26 Texas Electric Cooperative Board of Directors
Chair: Bryan Wood, Deep East Texas EC, Group 1
Vice chair: Cameron Smallwood, United Cooperative Services, Group 3
Secretary-treasurer: Jim Coleman, Jackson EC, Group 7
Matt Bentke, Bluebonnet EC, Group 6
Kerry Kelton, MidSouth EC, Group 2
Mark McClain, Big Country EC, Group 4
Zac Perkins, Tri-County EC (Oklahoma), Group 5
In his report to the membership, Irani thanked his fellow board members and Group 7 managers, his family, and TEC leaders and staff for supporting him over the past year.
“Serving as chairman has given me a front-row seat to the leadership across the state. It’s been a privilege,” he said. “And I can tell you this, we are in good hands.”
But, he said, the work is never over.
“As we look ahead, let’s remember that the future of our model isn’t guaranteed. It will take vigilance, leadership and a readiness to evolve without compromising our core. We need to keep showing up, not just for our co-ops but for one another. Let’s keep that spirit of unity close.
“We won’t always agree, but as long as we keep working together, we’ll keep delivering for our members.”