North Western Electric is a democratic organization with a board of trustees. The board has seven trustees, each representing a different district in our service area. The trustees are member-owners of the cooperative who are elected by their fellow member-owners. Their duty is setting policies and making decisions for the continuation of the cooperative and as an elected representative that are accountable to the membership. Trustees serve three-year terms and are elected at the annual meeting held in March or April.
Are you interested in running for the Board in 2022? Visit the Trustee Election page and learn about the process.
Board districts:
District 1 - Florence, Northwest & St. Joseph townships in Williams County
District 2 - Hicksville & Milford townships in Defiance County; Carryall Township in Paulding County
District 3 - Bridgewater, Madison & Superior townships in Williams County
District 4 - Brady, Center, Jefferson & Pulaski townships in Williams County
District 5 - Farmer & Mark townships in Defiance County; Crane Township in Paulding County
District 6 - Adams, Springfield & Tiffin townships in Defiance County; Ridgeville Township in Henry County
District 7 - Delaware, Noble & Washington townships in Defiance County
To learn more about each trustee, scroll over their picture below.
Andrew Farnham
District 1
ANDREW (ANDY) FARNHAM, CHAIRMAN
Resides in St. Joseph Township
First elected in 2009
Has served as Chairman of the Board since 2012
Completed the Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate program offered from National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)
Additional information:
Co-owner of A.G. Irrigation and is also a farmer
One of the directors and current president of the Edgerton Area Foundation
Member of the Ohio Farm Bureau
Received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Ohio Northern University
Attends St. Patrick Catholic Church in Bryan
Mitchel Headley
District 2
MITCHEL (MITCH) HEADLEY
Resides in Hicksville Township
First elected in 2012
Served as Vice Chairman of the Board from 2012-2020
Serves as the NWEC representative on the Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc. Board of Directors
Completed the Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate, Board Leadership Certificate and Director Gold Credential programs offered from National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)
Additional information:
Co-owner of H&W Automotive Parts
Graduate of University of Toledo
Previously served on the Hicksville School and Four County Career Center boards
Currently serving on the Four County Career Center's Advisory Board
Serves as a Deacon at First Church of Christ in Hicksville
Kim Shoup
District 3
KIM SHOUP, SECRETARY
Resides in Superior Township
First elected in 2010
Served as Secretary of the Board since 2010
Completed the Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate, Board Leadership Certificate and Director Gold Credential programs offered from National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)
Additional information:
Is Recycling Program Manager for Williams County Health Department
Graduate of Northwest State Community College
Served in the U.S. Peace Corp in Guatemala
Serves as an Elder at West Bethesda Presbyterian Church in Montpelier
Christopher Oberlin
District 4
CHRISTOPHER (CHRIS) OBERLIN
Resides in Jefferson Township
First elected in 2020
Additional information:
Owner of Bryan Engine Rebuilding
Bryan Lions Club Board member, 4-H Club advisor (Wide Awake Livestock Club) and member of the Automotive Engine Rebuilders Association (AERA)
Attends Wesley United Methodist Church in Bryan
Ryan Wehri
District 5
RYAN WEHRI
Resides in Farmer Township
First elected in 2020
Vice-Chairman of the Board since 2021
Additional information:
Project Coordinator (Project Manager) at Nucor Building Systems
Attended the University of Toledo (Mechanical Engineering) and Owens Community College (CAD Technology)
Obtained the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America
Serves as a Head Deacon and a Youth Ministry Leader at Life Changing Church in Edgerton
Jordan Ruffer
District 6
JORDAN RUFFER, VICE CHAIRMAN
Resides in Springfield Township
First elected in 2011
Served as Vice Chairman of the Board untill 2021
Completed the Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate program offered from National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)
Additional information:
Employed at Miller Bros. Construction
Earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toledo
Attends St. Peter Lutheran Church in Ridgeville
Richard Polter
District 7
RICHARD (DICK) POLTER
Resides in Delaware Township
Appointed by the NWEC Board of Trustees to complete an unexpired term in 2012
First elected in 2013 to continue serving
Completed the Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate, the Board Leadership Certificate and the Director Gold Credential Certificate programs offered from National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)
Additional information:
Retired from Frey Office Supply
Zoning inspector for Mark Township
Formerly served on the Community Memorial Hospital and Mark Township Boards
Attends Mark Center Methodist Church