Raise your voice and vote!
Five members seeking election to board of trustees
Democratic member control is a guiding principle for cooperatives around the world. Your vote in our annual board election is your voice in your cooperative, a chance to have a say on who will represent you and your interests.
There are three seats up for election this year. Candidates include incumbents Paul Fleeman of Lower Salem, Brent Smith of Caldwell, and Larry Ullman of Graysville, as well as Peggy Byers and Allen Miller, both of Marietta. We asked each of the candidates to answer a series of questions related to the co-op and their candidacy; click below for their answers.
Members will vote by mail, and ballots will arrive in your mailboxes in mid-April. To vote, simply make your selection(s) on the ballot and return it in the provided postage-paid envelope. Ballots must be postmarked by May 11.
To protect the election’s legitimacy, all mail-in ballots must be mailed to the post office box provided on the return envelope. Ballots may not be included with payments or given to a co-op employee or board member. We will not accept ballots dropped off or delivered to our office. The cooperative makes no exceptions to these rules.
The co-op will announce election results at our annual meeting May 18.
Peggy Byers
Marietta
To become as knowledgeable as possible about the wants and needs of the cooperative and its members. I will be a good listener to the members of the board and the cooperative.
I have been a member for over 45 years. I want to assure that the co-op continues to get good returns on investments and serve the members well.
I have worked for a corporation, government board, and have owned and operated several personal businesses. I have been a lifelong learner and still have a passion for learning
This mission melds well with my personal values. I would expect this from those who serve me and would adhere to these values if I were a member of the board. I would serve with integrity.
Providing the best product while controlling costs. Keeping a clean environment to pass to the next generation. I would become informed, continuing to learn about new technologies and apply to the best of my ability.
The members are the greatest asset. They keep everyone on their toes by demanding a good product. I would always listen, continue to learn, and always respond to member needs.
I am educated, experienced, and willing to learn. The members are my friends and neighbors. I want to meet their needs and wants.
Paul Fleeman, Incumbent
Lower Salem
To maintain the financial integrity of the cooperative, and to do everything possible to keep us locally owned and operated.
My motive has always been to try and better the area we live in. We all need to just think about how lucky we are to have a local electric provider that is owned and operated by the members we serve.
I am the owner of Fleeman Insurance Agency, LLC, and Noble Petroleum, LLC. I have been a successful business owner for 46 years. I have been a board member at Washington Electric for 30 years.
Being an insurance agent for 46 years certainly aligns me with the values of the cooperative. Insurance is a service and my goal has always been superior service to my policyholders, and improving our community.
The major challenge to the cooperative is little to no economic growth in the area. We have very little increase in kWh sales and accounts. We are having to rebuild our aging system and it is putting a financial burden on our members.
The cooperative’s biggest asset is being owned by the members. We are located in the community we serve and we all have a stake in the success of the cooperative.
I have gained a lot of knowledge about the cooperative business model over the 30 years I have been on the board. I have also run two businesses for 46 years. I feel I have business experience that will help me make decisions that will contribute to the success of Washington Electric.
Allen Miller
Marietta
Working with other board members and management in keeping the cooperative principles alive and well.
The challenges the cooperative faces every year.
Working with others and serving on other boards.
These values are meaningful to me because having a mission of improving the quality of life for our members and community is a big part of keeping our community strong and vibrant for the next generation.
Keeping up with the demand of our member services, whatever they may be. I would contribute by listening to our members and working with the cooperative.
Keeping our members at the forefront, and always keeping the cooperative principles in mind. I would help to protect and enhance it by having an open mind and making good decisions.
I enjoy working with others and would take great pride in helping move this cooperative forward.
Brent Smith, Incumbent
Caldwell
Continue capital improvements to the system to improve system reliability, safety of cooperative employees, retention of quality employees as well as creating an attractive employment situation for future employees.
The one issue that concerns me most is the vulnerability of the power grid. Cyberattacks have become a serious threat and the recent attacks on substations highlight the importance of grid security. Added to this is the increasing stress on the grid with the closing of coal plants and increase in electric vehicles.
I have completed 15 courses through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association toward Board Leadership certification. I also have been a member of the board for the past five years. I have a background in accounting and business management and have been a cooperative member for 28 years.
Improving the quality of life for WEC members is of utmost importance. In the Appalachian region, residents are often at a disadvantage. This is due in large part to the difficult terrain of the area. Many in the region have limited access to some of the luxuries taken for granted in other areas. It is my belief that to improve the quality of life for our membership, we must invest in infrastructure to bring such luxuries as high speed internet, which is more of a necessity, to our members.
One of the biggest challenges WEC faces is that there is little growth in our area. Part of the reason is lack of and age of infrastructure. The region lacks sufficient internet service necessary to compete in this internet-driven economy. Aging distribution lines affect electric reliability. It is my belief we need to continue to rebuild aging sections of line to improve system reliability, and to continue to work with internet providers to bring high-speed internet to the cooperative service area.
I believe the biggest asset is our staff. Without qualified and dedicated staff the entire system would fall apart. We must offer competitive wages and benefits to attract and retain high quality employees.
It is my belief that my experience and passion for the cooperative make me a good choice for the WEC board. I believe we must have trustees who look at the “big picture” and are working in the best interests of the membership as a whole. I will do my very best to represent the membership of Washington Electric Cooperative to lead us into the future.
Larry Ullman, Incumbent
Graysville
To work together with the rest of the board of trustees. Maintaining our rights-of-way. I will work to keep our rates to our customers at a reasonable level.
I just like to be part of an organization that serves the community with electric power.
I believe my background in government, business, and education will help me be a better board member.
I believe in all parts of our mission statement. My values align with the cooperative’s values 100
There is slow growth in Washington Electric, with high inflation. It is hard to keep up. There is no way to change the above, unless we can increase growth in Washington Electric by getting broadband to each home in the area we serve.
The greatest asset of this organization is its employees. As a board member I would support the employees. If our financial condition warrants a pay raise, I would support it.
I have a good background in business, government, and education. I have owned and operated a small business for over 40 years. I have served on the Graysville Village Council for 55 years, and my current position is president. My education background is serving 33 years as a public school teacher.