One of the things that makes Boone REMC unique is that, annually, our customers — who are also member-owners of our cooperative — can vote in board of director elections. 

Because we are a cooperative, we also conduct an annual business meeting to provide our members with important updates and a financial report. As part of this annual requirement, we host a member event, award scholarships, and have a prize drawing. Read on for all the details!

Board of directors candidates

This year, directors will be elected to represent Districts 7, 8, and 9. Each member who participates in the election will earn a $10 bill credit on their May 2025 electric bill.

Bruce Guernsey (incumbent) | DISTRICT 7

Bruce Guernsey, a Western Boone High School and Purdue University graduate, is a self-employed grain and beef cattle farmer. He serves as a precinct committeeman and is involved with Indiana Farm Bureau. Guernsey is a past member of the Western Boone School Board, Jamestown Volunteer Fire Department, Witham Foundation Board, and Indiana Beef Cattle Association. He has been a Boone REMC director for 18 years. He and his wife, Kelli, have two married sons and three grandchildren, and they are active members of their church. 

Mark Starkey (incumbent) | DISTRICT 8

Mark Starkey is a lifelong Boone County resident and a graduate of Lebanon High School, where he was active in Key Club and played basketball. Starkey is a third-generation farmer in Perry Township, growing corn and soybeans for the past 41 years. He is a past director of the Boone County Breeders and Feeders Association and the Lebanon Education Foundation. He has been a Boone REMC director for 12 years. Starkey and his wife, Elle, have three sons and four grandchildren and attend New Hope Christian Church. They enjoy boating, camping, and traveling.

Noel Kendall (incumbent) | DISTRICT 9

Noel Kendall is the current chairman of the Boone REMC Board of Directors. He is retired from the State Bank of Lizton where he was vice president of commercial banking. Kendall earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and English from Ball State University and a master’s degree in finance from the University of Wisconsin. He served in the United States Army and the Indiana National Guard. He is a past board member of Boone County Habitat for Humanity, Zionsville Chamber of Commerce, Boone County Redevelopment Commission, and the Zionsville Volunteer Fire Department, where he was Chief for many years. He also completed the Boone County Leadership Academy program. Kendall is a member of the American Legion Francis Neidlinger Post #79 and the Zionsville Christian Church. He has been a Boone REMC Director for 27 years. He and his wife, Kathy, have four children and seven grandchildren.

How to vote

Here are your options for participating in this year’s election:

Log into SmartHub: If you have a SmartHub account, you will find a VOTE button in the app or web portal from March 18 through April 22. 

Check your email:
If we have your email address on file, you’ll receive an email on March 18 with election information. The email will include a direct link to vote online and a link to log into SmartHub.

Request a paper ballot: If you do not have an email address, or if you would prefer not to vote online, you must complete the form at bremc.com/directors by April 9. If you need help completing the form, call us at 800-897-7362 or stop by our office and a member services representative will be happy to help you. You can mail this ballot back (it must be received by April 22) or bring it to our drive-thru event.

Meeting details

Drive-thru event

Our member drive-thru event is a convenient way to return your director election ballot. You can also visit with co-op employees as you make your way through the Boone REMC Hall at the Boone County 4-H Fairgrounds. This year’s drive-thru event will be held on Thursday, April 24, from 3-5:45 p.m.

Please note that no paper ballots will be available in the drive-thru line, nor will you be able to vote online at the time of the drive-thru. As noted in the How to Vote section, if you wish to receive a paper ballot to fill out and bring to the drive-thru, you must request one before April 9.

Members will receive a few special goodies as they drive through the building, including a $10 coupon to use at the Lebanon Titus Bakery location and coupons for Uncle Bill’s Pet Center. We will also have some fun items for the kids. While supplies last. 

If you plan to come to the drive-thru event, please bring the registration card inserted in the middle of this issue of Indiana Connection to help us quickly move our members through the line.

Annual business meeting

Our annual business meeting will begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, at the conclusion of the drive-thru event in the Boone Cooperative Advantage Building at the fairgrounds. Members are invited to attend in person, tune in on our website at bremc.com/2025-annual-meeting, or listen on the radio at 102.7 FM. They will learn more about how we’re focused on building our cooperative story — our 2025 theme.

Scholarship drawings

Boone REMC awards educational scholarships as a part of our annual business meeting. This year, we will draw 10 – $1,000 recipients. Applications are due by April 22. More details are available at bremc.com/youth.

Grand prize

Any member who participates in the election — along with receiving a bill credit — also will be entered to win our grand prize — a Milwaukee 5-Tool Combo Kit valued at $849!

The toolset, donated by Altec and Milwaukee, includes an 18-volt lithium ion brushless cordless ½-inch hammer drill, ¼-inch impact driver, SawZall reciprocating saw, 6½-inch circular saw, and LED work light.