Members of Heartland REMC will cast their votes for five directors at this year’s meeting. Results of the balloting will be announced at the end of the business meeting.
Directors serve three-year terms. Biographical information on each of the candidates follows.
Alan Amick is a longtime resident of Roanoke and has three grown children and four grandkids who he enjoys spending time with when he’s not working. He is a 1974 graduate of Huntington North High School. He has over 48 years of experience as a welder and is currently the co-owner of Amick Welding. He is also on the Huntington County 4-H board of directors, a member of the Roanoke Lion’s Club, Roanoke Tractor Pullers, and the Seminary United Methodist Church. His free time is spent with family and friends, enjoying time at the lake and riding four-wheelers.
Amick has served on the board of directors of Heartland REMC for 12 years and is a Credentialed Cooperative Director.
“As a member of the Heartland REMC board of directors, we have focused on keeping the power on at the lowest price. It is always my goal to do what is best for the cooperative members of Heartland REMC.”
Ted Martz currently resides in Ossian with his wife of 49 years, Cheryl. They have three grown children and 11 grandchildren. He is a 1971 graduate of Norwell High School and is a lifetime farmer who also worked for the Fremont Company in Bluffton from 1982 until the plant closed. He is a lifetime member of the Ossian Presbyterian church, a member of his church praise team, a Gideon, and a proud member of the Grandpa Club (attending activities of all 11 grandchildren).
Martz has served on the board of directors of Heartland REMC for 24 years and is a past board president.
“I have been blessed and honored to serve as your Heartland REMC representative. It is always my goal as a board member to serve the best interests of our cooperative members by continuing to provide quality service and up-to-date equipment at a reasonable cost.”
It is important to Robert Hippensteel that he serves and provides value to our community. Hippensteel was devoted to his late wife, Oris, for 57 years, and they raised four children together. While Hippensteel is semi-retired, he stays active by continuing to farm. He is a graduate of North Manchester High school and attended Manchester College for two years. Hippensteel is a member of the Manchester Church of the Brethren.
Hippensteel has served on the board of directors of Heartland REMC for 45 years and has been a member of the cooperative for over 53 years. He was named president of the Indiana Statewide Association of Electric Cooperatives in 2008 and 2009. He was also a director on the board for the Wabash Valley Power Association (now the Wabash Valley Power Alliance).
“If re-elected, I will do my part to provide our members with the best possible electric service at the lowest possible cost.”
Jason Dawes is a longtime resident of Wabash who has been an REMC member for six years and has received services from REMC his entire life through his multi-generational family farm. He is currently an insurance agent, vice president, and co-owner of the Thorne Insurance Agency. During his 15 years with Thorne he not only sets the vision and direction of the company, but is also responsible for working with their team to accomplish the goals set and grow the 94-year-old independent agency.
Dawes is a graduate of Northfield High School and attended Huntington University and Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne. He is married to Brittny and they have four children from six to 11 years old who attend Sharpcreek and Metro North in the Metropolitan School District of Wabash County.
Dawes is a member of the Bachelor Creek Church of Christ and serves as chairman of Deacons and teaches a youth group. He belongs to Trusted Choice where his agency holds their Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana (IIAI) membership as well as being a part of other various nonprofits.
“I plan to continue being fiscally responsible as we expand with greater power demand while collectively working with the board of directors to protect members’ assets and interests. Obtaining my cooperative board of directors credentials, working and learning along with others on the Heartland REMC board of directors, has prepared me to work with and for the members of District 33.”
Laura Cole has been a resident of Wabash County since 2004. She has been on REMC lines for 18 years in the Urbana and the Lagro areas. Cole and her husband, Robert, have raised three daughters and now have one grandchild.
She is a graduate of Oak Hill High School and attended Ball State University. Cole is currently retired and devoting her time to family, church, and nonprofits.
Cole is a member of the Bachelor Creek Church of Christ. She is a board member of the Life Center Pregnancy Care Center, as well as a member of the Wabash County Republican Party.
Cole is now a Credentialed Cooperative Director. She is looking forward to the opportunity to continue her education by completing the second level of the director education series, the Board Leadership Certificate.
“If I am re-elected as a board member of Heartland REMC, I will remain committed to providing reliable and efficient electric service to our members I will also work to maintain financial stability as a corporation while assisting the broadband project to completion.”
