South Carolina H 5231: Gary Stooksbury retirement CEO of Aiken Electric Cooperative and served as CEO of AEConnect

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 5231 Text of Previous Version (Feb. 24, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 5231

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A concurrent RESOLUTION

TO CONGRATULATE 
GARY L. STOOKSBURY, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF AIKEN ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, UPON 
THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT, TO EXPRESS PROFOUND GRATITUDE FOR HIS THIRTY 
YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, AND TO EXTEND 
BEST WISHES FOR A FULFILLING AND REWARDING RETIREMENT. 

Whereas, since 1995, 
Aiken Electric Cooperative has benefited from the exemplary leadership, 
steadfast dedication, and extensive experience of its Chief Executive Officer 
Gary Stooksbury, who will retire at the end of February after three decades of 
outstanding service; and

Whereas, a native of Tennessee, 
Gary earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University 
of Tennessee and a Master of Business Administration from Bristol University; 
and 

Whereas, prior to 
joining Aiken Electric Cooperative, he served as Chief Executive Officer of the 
LaFollette Utilities Board in Tennessee. Throughout his distinguished career, 
Gary has been actively engaged in professional and community service, serving 
on the boards of the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative, Central 
Electric Power Cooperative, CarolinaConnect, Electric Cooperatives of South 
Carolina, Western South Carolina Economic Development Partnership, South Carolina 
Power Team, and GuideStone Financial Resources. He also serves as President 
and Chief Executive Officer of AEConnect, a for-profit internet subsidiary of Aiken 
Electric Cooperative. In recognition of his leadership and community impact, 
he was named 2024 Man of the Year by the Aiken Chamber of Commerce and remains 
an active member of the Rotary Club; and

Whereas, Gary and his 
wife, Kathy, have shared forty-four years of marriage and reside in Aiken. 
They are the proud parents of two children, Brandon and Courtney, both graduates 
of the University of Tennessee. In his leisure time, Gary enjoys exercising, 
hunting, fishing, and most especially, cherishing time spent with his family 
and grandson; and

Whereas, the members of 
the General Assembly, grateful for the legacy of steadfast leadership, 
integrity, and service Gary L. Stooksbury has provided to the people of South 
Carolina, take great pleasure in recognizing his many contributions and in 
wishing him every happiness as he enters a well-earned retirement. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House 
of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the 
South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, congratulate Gary L. Stooksbury, 
Chief Executive Officer of Aiken Electric Cooperative, upon the occasion of his 
retirement, express profound gratitude for his thirty years of distinguished 
service to the State of South Carolina, and extend best wishes for a fulfilling 
and rewarding retirement.

Be it further resolved that 
a copy of this resolution be presented to Gary Stooksbury. 

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This web page was last updated on February 24, 2026 at 12:59 PM