Kevin Dreibelbis is pretty well known in the community — it’s kind of his job. As Noble REMC’s communications and marketing manager, he works to connect with other business leaders and give back to the organizations who give so much to our members.
These relationships are what helped him move from a cleaner of the co-op in high school and college, to earning an internship here his senior year, to then starting his career in member services and communications at Miami-Cass REMC in Peru, Indiana, before moving back to his hometown and home co-op.
After more than 30 years in the co-op world, let’s unpack Dreibelbis’ journey:
WHAT YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB?
Variety. There’s a lot of different pieces to the job, and that is important to me. I couldn’t stand doing the same thing every day. In addition to the variety, I really enjoy working with the community and in the schools, especially giving safety demonstrations to students.
WHAT’S SOMETHING PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW OR UNDERSTAND ABOUT WHAT YOU DO?
I think a lot of people think I sit behind a desk the majority of the day, and that is not the case. There are days with more computer work, but there’s such a public relations aspect to this job that warrants you being out and about more than what most people would realize.
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.
I was born and raised in Albion and am a graduate of Central Noble High School. I went off to college where I graduated from Ball State University. I moved to the Peru/Wabash area for three years with my job at Miami-Cass REMC. I was fortunate enough to move back to my hometown and have a career and raise a family here.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO OUTSIDE OF THE CO-OP?
My hobbies, like most parents, have become my kids. I really enjoy going to my boys’ activities and sporting events and just hanging out with family and friends. I do enjoy being on the lake and lake activities — though I don’t get nearly enough of that.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF IN YOUR LIFE?
Without sounding cliché and what everybody else says, I would say it’s raising my boys. That, and my career. While I think in today’s world a lot of people might think, “Wow, you stayed at the same place?” I’m proud that I was loyal to my employer, which has allowed me to have a fantastic career. I feel very blessed that I’ve been able to have a career and live in the community I grew up in and which I love.
WHAT IS ONE SONG YOU COULD LISTEN TO ON REPEAT?
“Thunderstruck” by AC/DC. I love that song. I actually told my boys that even though it’s long, that’s a song that they should play at my funeral, because I don’t want it to be sad. I want it to be more about who I am. That song just pumps me up and makes me want to have a good time.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW?
I’m a “Survivor” fan. I know there are a lot of people that think reality TV’s corny and not real, but I’ve watched it since the beginning. The fun thing, too, is I got my oldest boy into it for a time period. It was kind of our thing for a while, then he grew out of it. My younger boy is currently into it with me. So it’s been kind of a shared thing through the years with them as well.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANT?
I like going to a lot of different restaurants, but I’m going to say One10 West Main in Albion.
DO YOU VOLUNTEER OR SERVE ON ANY BOARDS?
There isn’t hardly a board or committee locally that I haven’t served on in my career. They’ve all been rewarding in their own way.
