04125 State Route 576 Bryan, OH 43506
Board of Trustees
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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 members of the cooperative who are elected by their fellow members. 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.
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 - Defiance, Delaware, Noble & Washington townships in Defiance County
To learn more about each trustee, scroll over their picture below.
If you would like to contact your trustee directly, please call our office at 419-636-5051 and we can assist you.
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Keith Stark
District 1
KEITH STARK
Resides in St. Joseph Township
Appointed by the NWEC Board of Trustees to complete an unexpired term in June 2022
First elected in 2024 to continue serving
Completed the Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate program offered from National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)
Additional information:
Agronomy Salesman for Edon Farmers Co-op
Active with Edgerton Knights of Columbus and Edgerton Athletic Boosters
Attends St. Mary's Catholic Church in Edgerton
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Mitchel Headley - Chairman
District 2
MITCHEL (MITCH) HEADLEY, CHAIRMAN
Resides in Hicksville Township
First elected in 2012
Served as Vice Chairman of the Board from 2012-2020, served as Secretary from 2022 - 2025, currently serving as Chairman (since 2026)
Serves as the NWEC representative on the Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc. Board of Directors, currently Chairman
Completed the Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate, Board Leadership Certificate and Director Gold Credential programs offered from National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)
Additional information:
Retired 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
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Kim Shoup - Secretary
District 3
KIM SHOUP, SECRETARY
Resides in Superior Township
First elected in 2010
Served as Vice Chairman of the Board from 2022 - 2024; Chairman from 2024 - 2025, and Secretary from 2010 - 2022 and is currently serving in that position again as of 2026
Completed the Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate, Board Leadership Certificate and Director Gold Credential programs offered from National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)
Additional information:
Retired (last position - 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
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Christopher Oberlin
District 4
CHRISTOPHER (CHRIS) OBERLIN
Resides in Jefferson Township
First elected in 2020
Served as Chairman of the Board from 2022 to 2024
Completed the Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate, Board Leadership Certificate and Director Gold Credential programs offered from National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)
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
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Ryan Wehri - Vice Chairman
District 5
RYAN WEHRI, VICE CHAIRMAN
Resides in Farmer Township
First elected in 2020
Vice-Chairman of the Board 2021-2022 and was re-elected to that position in 2024
Completed the Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate, Board Leadership Certificate and Director Gold Credential programs offered from National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)
Additional information:
Project Manager III at Cornerstone Building Brands
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 at Life Changing Church in Edgerton
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James Wagner
District 6
JAMES WAGNER
Resides in Adams Township
Appointed by the NWEC Board of Trustees to complete an unexpired term in 2026
Additional information:
General Manager at TJ Automation Inc.
Attends St. Michael's Catholic Church
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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