Noble REMC wouldn’t be successful without our employees and directors. To highlight the work that they do, we’ve established Lighting the Way to place a spotlight on those who help the co-op thrive.
Because of our name and where we started, a lot of people assume Noble REMC only serves Noble County. Director Bill Knox is here to set the record straight as the representative for members in DeKalb County, as well as parts of Steuben and Allen counties.
He’s served on the co-op’s board of directors for 10 years, and he brings with him 40 years of management experience — retiring from UPS after 35 years and now serving as the facilities director for East Noble School Corporation.
Let’s learn a bit more about Bill:
What motivated you to run for the board?
“It started about 11 years ago, when we started having frequent electrical issues and power failures. I made contact with the REMC a couple of times about it, and I was so impressed with how it was handled. The co-op gave me timelines, and it rebuilt the substation and worked on the power supply in about six months. It’s been working perfect ever since.
“A previous board member said he was retiring and asked if I would be interested in running. I said I would because I was so impressed with the REMC and wanted to learn more about it. It was one of the best things I’ve ever done.”
How has your experience been as a director?
“I’ve learned more about the electric business than I ever though possible — from how it operates to how we serve our members. We offer a great product — safe, reliable energy — at an affordable price. I’m a member and that means I’m affected by those things we work on and change and improve.”
What are you most proud of in your life?
“My sons. I have three sons — 42, 40 and 34 — and they have become fine young men. They all graduated, and they’ve given us some great grandkids (seven of them). They’re all very successful today, and it makes you proud to see how good they really are.”
What’s your favorite movie?
“My all-time favorite movie — and you might think this is corny — is ‘Lillies of the Field’ with Sidney Poitier from 1963. I’ve just always loved that movie. I’ve watched it six to eight times. It’s a movie that shows through perseverance and prayer and hard work, you can accomplish a lot.”
What’s your favorite music?
“I listen to a lot of the old-time rock ‘n’ roll. My phone is just full of that stuff.”
What was the last concert you attended?
“Probably Chicago in 1972 in Fort Wayne. I’ve seen all of the concerts — Cream, The Doors, John Denver. I’ve probably been to 25 concerts.”
What’s your favorite local restaurant?
We love St. James. It always has been our favorite. I’ve never had a bad meal there, just great service. It never fails, we go there to eat, and we see lots of people that we know. We just love it there.”
Do you volunteer in the community?
“I’m a member of the Knights of Columbus. It’s a group that is about charity and fellowship, the right hand of the church to help with activities and events. It’s a very hardworking group that gives back to the communities in which it serves”
What is this we hear about you turning your home into a wildlife habitat?
“We have slowly turned it into pollinator plots and wildlife habitat. It’s good for the environment. Bees and their habitats are becoming more and more scarce, which has the potential to affect our food supply. It’s been a lot of time and effort in rebuilding our property. Of the 80 acres, about 26 acres is woodland and about 45-50 acres is nothing but fields of grass and flowers and pollinators and habitats.”
