The North Western Electric Cooperative Board of Trustees is a group of seven members who are elected by their fellow members 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. 

At the annual meeting the members are invited to vote for candidates from two or sometimes three districts. During the 2026 election, candidates from the following three districts are eligible to be placed on the ballot:

  • District 4 representing Brady, Center, Jefferson and Pulaski townships in Williams County

  • District 5 representing Crane, Farmer and Mark townships in Defiance County

  • District 6 representing Adams and Tiffin townships in Defiance County, Ridgeville Township in Henry County and Springfield Township in Williams County.

All the members in districts 4, 5, and 6 received a letter inserted in their billing statements due on January 10th to alert them that the election process had begun. 

The incumbents in districts 4 and 5 have chosen to remain candidates and were automatically eligible to be placed on the ballot. The incumbents are: Chris Oberlin, for District 4 and Ryan Wehri, for District 5.

The incumbent in District 6, Jordan Ruffer, has chosen to not be a candidate so that will be an open seat with no incumbent candidate.

The Petition Process

The process for those members who are not currently serving on the Board to become a candidate for the North Western Electric Board of Trustees is described in ARTICLE IV, Section 4 of the North Western Electric Cooperative Code of Regulations. It requires eligible members who were interested in being placed on the Official Ballot to submit the official petition forms contained in the Trustee Candidate Petition Packet.
 


Trustee Nominations

In connection with the election of three trustees scheduled for the 2026 annual meeting, the Election Committee determined that the following candidates are eligible to be placed on the ballot.

NWEC members may vote for one candidate from each district in which an election is held. You do not need to reside in that district to vote.

 

District 4: On the ballot

Chris Oberlin (Incumbent)
Chris and his wife, Brenda, reside in Jefferson Township. They have two children. He is the owner of Bryan Engine Rebuilding. A Bryan High School graduate, he is currently a board member of the Lions Club and a member of Automotive Engine Rebuilders Association. 

Chris is currently completing his second three-year term on the NWEC Board of Trustees. He served as board chairman in 2022 and 2023. In 2024, he earned his Credentialed Cooperative Director certification from NRECA.



Dean Harrington
Dean and his wife, Barb, reside in Jefferson Township. They have three children, nine grandchildren and three foster grandchildren. He retired from Spangler Candy Company and currently works part-time at Town & Country. Dean is a graduate of Bryan High School and Northwest State Community College. He attends and is active at West Bethesda Presbyterian Church. 

Dean previously served on the NWEC Board of Trustees from 2005 to 2019. During his tenure on the board, he earned his Credentialed Cooperative Director and Board Leadership certifications from NRECA. 
 

District 5: Not on the ballot

No nominating petitions were received for District 5; therefore, the following incumbent will be considered elected by affirmation.

Ryan Wehri (Incumbent)
Ryan is currently completing his second three-year term on the NWEC Board of Trustees. He has served as board vice-chairman in 2021 and from 2024 to present. Ryan earned his Credentialed Cooperative Director, Board Leadership and Director Gold Credential certifications from NRECA.

 

District 6: Not on the ballot

No nominating petitions were received for the District 6 open seat. Subject to the provisions of the Code of Regulations, a vacancy shall be filled by the affirmative vote of the remaining board members until a successor shall have qualified and shall have been elected.