Wabash Valley Power’s board of directors elected numerous experienced board leaders to head the executive team for the coming year.
The 23-member WVPA board of directors during its annual meeting this month elected Wayne Gingerich (Steuben County REMC) as board chairman, Phil Hayes (NineStar Connect) as secretary/treasurer, Ken Denton (Jay County REMC) as first vice chairman, Noel Kendall (Boone REMC) as second vice chairman, and Dennis Burton (Fulton County REMC) and Doug Brown (Parke County REMC) as executive committeemen. Burton and Brown are new to the executive team; the others have previously served in executive board positions.
“Each of the new executive board leaders has accomplished much in their tenure to benefit Wabash Valley Power and our member cooperatives,” Jay Bartlett said, CEO of Wabash Valley Power. “We will continue to build on that momentum moving forward.”
Each executive board member’s term is for one year, though they can hold a position for two terms. Gingerich, the new WVPA board chair, also has served on Steuben County REMC’s board for more than three decades, including 11 years in his current role as board chairman. He has been on WVPA’s board of directors for 19 years, including the executive team for four. He most recently served as vice chairman of WVPA’s board in 2015 and 2016.
“I have enjoyed working with and getting to know all of the directors and CEOs from our 23 member cooperatives, along with the endless opportunities to learn about the electric and transmission industry through the cooperative model and its principles of collaboration and community,” Gingerich said. “I am looking forward to helping create an atmosphere where the entire board participates and makes sound, informed decisions focused on delivering affordable, reliable electricity to benefit all of our members.”
Cooperatives served by Wabash Valley Power should be pleased with the direction set by the board, which best positions WVPA to benefit communities, members and stakeholders, Bartlett said.
“I look forward to further collaboration with the board,” he added. “It will be exciting as we work together to bring that vision to life.”