Celebrating the energy of cooperation

Nearly 4,000 attend annual meeting

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Posted on Jul 26 2019 in Heartland REMC
Ray, the mascot of Heartland REMC’s Community Solar program greets a young consumer
at the REMC’s fifth annual meeting at the Huntington County 4-H Fairgrounds, June 22.

The Fifth Annual Heartland REMC Meeting attracted nearly 4,000 attendees, June 22, at the Huntington County Fairgrounds.

In his report to the members, REMC President Ralph Keefer spoke of Heartland REMC’s reliability numbers. Heartland REMC has seen a 56 percent decrease in outage durations over the last four years. He attributed this to aggressive tree trimming, technology upgrades and the cooperative employees. He also spoke of Heartland REMC’s research over the last several years showing a need for reliable high-speed internet in the cooperative’s service territory.

“Later this year,” he said, “Heartland REMC will begin laying the foundation for every home and business in our territory to have the chance to be served with affordable high-speed internet.” 

In his CEO report, Robert Pearson noted the high-speed service will be provided by TWN Communications in partnership with Heartland REMC. He went on to explain how to pre-register and mentioned that the high-speed internet service will have no impact on members’ electrical rates. Pearson said, “The co-ops answered the call for affordable and reliable electricity to the rural areas in the ’30s. We are again answering the call for affordable and reliable high-speed internet now.” 

During the business meeting, the membership elected five directors to serve three-year terms on the board of directors. Alan Amick was elected to represent District 3, Ted Martz was elected in District 6, Robert Hippensteel was elected in District 32, Jason Dawes will represent District 33, and Laura Cole will represent District 34.

Heartland REMC thanks all of the members attending this year! 

Photos from your annual meeting

Meeting-goers were greeted with a large U.S. flag at the Huntington County Fairgrounds.
REMC members, with lots of kids in tow, line up for ice cream provided by Dairy Queen.
The youngest members of the Heartland REMC family had a lot of activities to keep them entertained, including this massive soap bubble making wand.

Scholarship Winners Chosen

Twenty $500 REMC scholarships were randomly awarded at the annual meeting to eligible students who had submitted applications. They are, in order drawn:

• Kenneth Heiniger

• Rylee Williams 

• Ashley Parson 

• Jacob Ellet 

• Madeleine Laymon

• Amara Eckert

• Audrey Marjamaa

• RaeAnn Dobler

• Sydni Fife

• Gabrielle Haneline 

• Mark Smith 

• Elizabeth Schmidt 

• Brianna Mason

• Emma Melcher 

• Patrick Miller 

• Rachel Fruscella 

• Danielle Gonser 

• Kaitlin Jones 

• John Schuler

• Makayla Bechtold

Thank You, Vendors!

Helping make Heartland REMC’s annual meeting a success were the following vendors:

• Acres Land Trust

• Bippus Volunteer Fire Department

• Dairy Queen

• Dehoff Insulation

• Heartland REMC Operation Round Up

• Huntington County FFA

• Indiana Connection Magazine/Indiana Electric Cooperatives

• Joy Pleasers Clown Ministries

• Northeast Indiana Honor Flight

• Ossian Conservation Club

• Parkview Hospitals

• TWN Communications

• Wabash Valley Power Alliance

• WaterFurnace

• Wells County 4-H Dairy Club

•  Z Animal Crossing