The Current Buzz

More speed. Same price. That’s the news OEC Fiber President David Goodspeed joins us to share on this episode of The Current Buzz . We’re breaking down residential upgrades from 100 Mbps to 500 Mbps and from 1 Gig to 2 Gigs—with no increase in monthly price—plus a new 5 Gig option for $115 a month. Business subscribers have plenty to celebrate, too, with new speed options and internet bill reducti...

Faster speeds. Better performance. A network built for the future. OEC Fiber is gearing up for its biggest upgrade yet, and there's a whole lot happening behind the scenes to make it possible! In this episode of The Current Buzz , we're joined by Michael Tomas and Trenton McVicker from OEC Fiber's Network Operations team to pull back the curtain on a massive undertaking that's been...

Would you recognize abuse if it didn’t leave a bruise? In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Brianna and Daniel welcome Ajia, interim executive director of the Women’s Resource Center in Norman, for an honest conversation about the forms abuse can take—and how communities can support survivors. From emotional manipulation and digital threats to the added challenges natural disasters...

OEC’s Drive-Thru Annual Meeting returns October 2 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Lloyd Noble Center—and we’re giving members everything they need to know before they arrive. Brianna and Daniel explain who can participate, what to bring and how OEC has fine-tuned the process to get members registered and back on the road in as little as 10–15 minutes. They also share what members will receive—includ...

From small-town Oklahoma to the heart of Washington, D.C., OEC Youth Tour winners Taylor Meeks of Minco and Tia Peery of Lexington join us to share the unforgettable moments, meaningful friendships and eye-opening experiences that made their week in the nation’s capital so special. They reflect on visiting historic landmarks, meeting young leaders from across the country and discovering that the “...

As a new school year begins, Noble Public Schools Superintendent Frank Solomon and Blanchard Public Schools Superintendent Brady Barnes join The Current Buzz for a candid conversation about the opportunities and challenges shaping education in their communities. They discuss managing rapid growth, improving aging facilities, recruiting and retaining great teachers, navigating new state requirement...

What does OEC’s Board of Trustees actually do—and how do its decisions shape the cooperative’s future? Trustees Debbie Frazier and Danny Watters take us behind the scenes to discuss their paths to the board, the communities they represent and the responsibility of balancing affordability, reliability and long-term planning. They also share how local representation, diverse perspectives and trust b...

Electric vehicles have come a long way in just a few years—but are they really practical for rural communities? In this episode of The Current Buzz, we sit down with Seth Christ, Chief Strategy Officer at Francis Energy, to separate fact from fiction about today's EV landscape. From range anxiety and charging infrastructure to home charging, grid reliability, and what the future holds, Seth sh...

What does business internet look like when you're treated like a neighbor instead of a sales target? In this episode of The Current Buzz , hosts Daniel and Brianna sit down with OEC Fiber Business Development team members Michelle and Isaac to discuss how they help local businesses find the right technology solutions without the high-pressure sales pitch. From internet and business phone syste...

What makes a Fourth of July celebration truly unforgettable? In this episode of The Current Buzz, we're sitting down with leaders from the cities of Newcastle and Blanchard to talk about the heart, hustle, and hometown pride behind two of central Oklahoma's favorite Independence Day traditions. From fireworks synchronized to music and patriotic tributes to local vendors, food trucks, and f...

When Oklahoma heat cranks up, so can your electric bill — but it doesn’t have to. In this episode of The Current Buzz , Daniel and Brianna welcome back energy efficiency expert Russell Philpott for a fast-paced, practical conversation packed with summer energy tips that actually work. From thermostat settings and ceiling fan myths to pool pumps, air filters, insulation, and peak energy demand, the...

The OEC Foundation just crossed a major milestone: more than $7 million given back to local communities through Operation Round Up since 1993. In this episode of The Current Buzz , we sit down with OEC Foundation Board President Brandy Everett and Vice President Alan Davenport to talk about the impact behind the numbers — from helping individuals in crisis to supporting organizations making a diff...

Solar is one of the most talked-about energy options right now—but what actually happens when you install it on your home? In this episode of  The Current Buzz , we sit down with OEC’s system engineering experts Nick Shumaker and Teddy Whitehead to break down how solar works with the grid, what it can realistically offset, and why the decisions you make upfront matter more than you think. From sys...

In this episode of  The Current Buzz , we sit down with CEO Patrick Grace to reflect on his first 10 years in the role—and 25 years with Oklahoma Electric Cooperative . From handwritten outage tickets and paper map books to today’s self-healing grid and fiber expansion, Patrick shares a behind-the-scenes look at how far OEC has come. He walks through the pivotal moments that shaped the co-op, incl...

In this episode of  The Current Buzz , we sit down with OEC Fiber’s Joe Torres to pull back the curtain on what really happens behind the scenes during outages—especially after major storms. From proactive system upgrades to the coordination between electric and fiber crews, Joe shares how preparation, teamwork and infrastructure investments all play a role in keeping your internet running strong...

Electric and fiber bills can sometimes feel confusing — but they don’t have to be. In this episode of The Current Buzz, Brianna and Daniel sit down with billing experts Chelle and Shana to walk through OEC electric and fiber bills line by line. They explain what each section means, from energy usage and service availability charges to power cost adjustments, taxes and Operation Round Up®. The team...

In Episode 60 of  The Current Buzz , we sit down with Clint Mobley and Bobby Herring to talk about what happens before, during, and after major outages — and how OEC prepares for extreme weather and large-scale events to keep members safe and the lights on. We unpack what “storm prep” really means (hint: it starts long before the storm arrives), how OEC uses modeling and load shifting to reduce ri...

In Episode 59 of The Current Buzz, Brianna and Daniel are joined by Tim Ferree (OEC Key Accounts & Advocacy Specialist) and Kylah McNabb of Vesta Strategic Solutions to break down the growing conversation around data centers in Oklahoma. They explain what data centers are (essentially buildings full of computers powering AI and cloud services), why Oklahoma is attracting them—thanks to low ele...

In this episode of  The Current Buzz , hosts Brianna and Daniel sit down with David Madden from OEC Fiber to talk all things high-speed internet—what’s happening behind the scenes, how OEC Fiber supports members, and the tools available to help troubleshoot internet issues at home. David shares insights into a powerful diagnostic app that scans more than 160 data points across a home network, walk...

In this episode of  The Current Buzz , Brianna and Daniel sit down with Russell Philpott of Precise Building Performance, the expert behind OEC’s free Home Energy Consultation Program. With nearly 2,000 energy audits under his belt, Russell breaks down where homes lose the most energy—and what actually makes a difference on your electric bill. From heating systems and insulation to space heaters a...

Welcome to  The Current Buzz , the podcast where we break down what’s happening now at Oklahoma Electric Cooperative and OEC Fiber — and why it matters to you. In this episode, OEC VP of Member Engagement Autumn McMahon joins hosts Brianna Wall   and Daniel Lofland to kick off the new year with a conversation about what’s ahead for OEC and OEC Fiber. They highlight people, programs and community c...

Listen as hosts Kayla and Autumn unfold the complexities of Oklahoma's spring weather and its rapid transition into higher temperatures, which significantly influence energy consumption patterns. The duo reviews our tailored electricity rate plans that are designed to cater to diverse needs and lifestyles. This episode not only demystifies the electric rates but also highlights how non-EV owne...

In this episode of "Growing Forward and Celebrating Success" on The Current Buzz, Kayla and Autumn share the exhilarating news of Oklahoma Electric Cooperative (OEC) and OEC Fiber being honored as the Large Business of the Year. Explore the rich history of OEC, established 87 years ago, and how it continues to innovate and serve its members and subscribers with dedication and pride. 🌟 J...

Today's discussion features first-time guests Isaac Lewis and Kyle Caldwell from the OEC Fiber sales team, diving into the heart of what makes their sales approach uniquely subscriber-centric. Tune in as they unfold the layers behind their strategy, focusing not on the sale but on solving problems and enhancing the subscriber experience. Learn about the specific needs of commercial accounts an...

Hosts Kayla and Autumn discuss the impact of inclement weather on electric and fiber systems. Delve into the nuances of how ice and wind affect power lines and fiber optics and explore the redundancy measures ensuring system reliability. Learn about the natural partnership between electric utilities and high-speed fiber networks, leveraging decades of experience for maximum efficiency.