The North Western Electric Cooperative Board of Trustees is a group of seven member-owners who are elected by their fellow member-owners to serve three-year terms. 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. 

The in-person 2023 annual meeting will be held at Edon School on Saturday, April 15. Electronic voting will be available from March 20 to April 14 via your secure SmartHub app.

2023 Annual Meeting Details

In connection with the election of trustees scheduled for the 2023 annual meeting, the Election Committee determined that the following candidates are eligible to be placed on the ballot. Biographical information provided by the candidates.

 

DISTRICT 4 CANDIDATES

CHRISTOPHER OBERLIN - INCUMBENT

Completing his first three-year term on NWEC Board of Trustees

Currently NWEC Board Chairman

Age 58

Wife, Brenda, two children

Resides in Jefferson Township

Self-employed, owner of Bryan Engine Rebuilding

Lions Club board member, member of Automotive Engine Rebuilders Association (AERA)

Bryan High School graduate

Attends Wesley United Methodist Church

STEPHEN RINELL

Age 62

Wife, Diane, two children, two grandchildren

Resides in Center Township

Business Manager at Hillside Country Living

Earned BA in management and accounting from Minote State, completed NRECA Management Internship Program

Former NWEC Director of Accounting and Finance, former CEO at Otsego Electric Co-op

Attends St. Peter's Lutheran Church, currently serving as Treasurer

GEORGE STRAYER

Age 70

Wife, Patricia, three children

Resides in Center Township

Retired Food Scientist - Dean Foods/Dairy Farmers of America, where he managed multi-million-dollar production plant and corporate quality

control operations

Earned BS in food science and nutrition from the Ohio State University

Attends Bryan Alliance Church

DISTRICT 5 CANDIDATES

RYAN WEHRI - INCUMBENT

Completing his first three-year term on NWEC Board of Trustees

Age 35

Wife, Jessica, four children

Resides in Farmer Township

Project Coordinator (Project Manager) at Nucor Building Systems

Obtained rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America

Edgerton High School graduate, attended the University of Toledo (mechanical engineering) and Owens Community College (CAD Technology)

Attends Life Changing Church, where he serves as a Head Deacon and a Youth Ministry Leader

CHARLES (TOM) CASE

Age 73

Wife, Cynthia, two children, six grandchildren

Resides in Farmer Township

Farmer, retired from ConAgra Foods

Senior Vice Commander - VFW Post 5667 Sherwood, Adjutant - Farmer American Legion Post 137

Earned an Associate Degree from Northwest State Community College (accounting and agricultural management)

Attends St. John's Lutheran Church

Served in the U.S. Army

DISTRICT 6 - Elected by affirmation

No nomination petitions were received for District 6; therefore, the incumbent has been elected by affirmation and is not required to be on the ballot.

JORDAN RUFFER - INCUMBENT

Completing his fourth three-year term on NWEC Board of Trustees

Earned his Credential Cooperative Director certification from NRECA

Age 40

Wife, Tracy, three children

Resides in Springfield Township

Employed by Miller Brothers Construction

Earned BS in mechanical engineering from the University of Toledo

Attends St. Peter Lutheran Church