DISTRICT 3

Alan Amick is a longtime resident of Roanoke and has three grown children and four grandkids that he enjoys spending time with when not working. He is a 1974 graduate of Huntington North High School. He has over 45 years of experience as a welder and is currently the co-owner of Amick Welding. Amick is also on the Huntington County 4-H board of directors and is a member of the Roanoke Kiwanis Club and the Seminary United Methodist Church.

Amick has served on the board of directors of Heartland REMC for 12 years and is a Certified Credentialed Director.

“As a member of the Heartland REMC board of directors, I have focused on keeping the power on at the lowest price. This is still a priority, but we are also now looking at new technology and things to help improve the member’s lives. If re-elected, I will continue to make both of these things a priority.”

DISTRICT 6

Ted Martz currently resides in Ossian with his wife. They have three grown children. 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 member of the Ossian Presbyterian church and is currently serving as a trustee.

Martz has served on the board of directors of Heartland REMC for 21 years and is a past board president.

“As a Heartland REMC Board member, I have always worked to represent my neighbors to the best of my ability. If re-elected, I plan to continue to make decisions that are best for the membership.”

Dennis Kammerer Sr. currently resides in Zanesville with his wife, Joyce, and has two children. He holds an associate’s and bachelor’s degree in psychology. He has been the owner and operator of Allen County Discount Chimney Sweeping and Repair for the last 34 years. He is a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Roanoke.
“As a Heartland REMC director, I would check and recheck before making a decision that will affect the membership. I will try and do everything to the best of my ability.”

DISTRICT 32

Robert Hippensteel knows it is important that he serves and provides value to our community. Hippensteel was devoted to his late wife, Oris, for 57 years, and raised four children. While Hippensteel is semi-retired, he stays active by continuing to farm and has been a member of the Fraternal Order of Freemasonry for over 50 years. He is a graduate of North Manchester High School and attended Manchester College for two years. He is a member of the Manchester Church of the Brethren.

Hippensteel has served on the board of directors of Heartland REMC for 42 years and has been a member of the cooperative for over 50 years. He was named president of the Indiana Statewide Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives in 2008 and 2009. He was also a director on the board for Wabash Valley Power Association.

“If re-elected, I will do my part to provide our members with the best possible electric service at the lowest possible cost.”

Jarrod McKee is a lifetime Wabash resident. He and his wife, Heather, have three children from ages 1 – 7. McKee currently works as a financial advisor. He has been helping individuals and businesses manage their assets for nine years.

He is a graduate of Southwood High School and holds a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University, Kelley School of Business in finance.

McKee is active in the community as a member of the Bachelor Creek Church of Christ. He is also on the board for Riley Children’s Hospital, cystic fibrosis advisory board, and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (patient/caregiver panel). He recently finished up his two-year term on the Honeywell Golf Course board. He volunteers with numerous local community groups including Kids Hope, Youth Coach, and Investment Committee for the Community Foundation of Wabash County.

“Through trust and mutual respect, I look to serve our members in a financially responsible manner. We live in an era of technology where children have e-learning days, employees work remotely from home, and internet-based services are in demand. My goal is to bring innovative services such as fiber optic internet to the boardroom for discussion, thus giving members the ability to have a better member experience through REMC services. Before a decision is to be voted on, I would ensure it would not increase electricity rates, thus putting it on the backs of our members. Keeping internet and electricity rates separate would be an important point of discussion. Lastly, it’s important to support REMC employees and provide them with the tools they need to maintain top quality service to our members!”

DISTRICT 33

James Keffaber has farmed for over 40 years, producing corn and soybeans. His wife, Carol, has retired from Swine Care in Roann. They have two sons and a daughter plus nine grandchildren. He is a member of the Bachelor Creek Church of Christ. Keffaber holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Ball State University and a master’s degree from St. Francis College. Before farming, he spent eight years teaching sixth grade.

Keffaber has been a member of Heartland REMC for 51 years and has served on the REMC board of directors for 41 years.

“I have appreciated the opportunity to serve on this board these past several years. Using the latest available technology, we intend to continue to provide the most reliable electric service to our members while making every effort to control costs.”

Jason Dawes is a longtime resident of Wabash who has been an REMC member individually for three years, and has received services from REMC his entire life through his multigenerational family farm. He is currently an insurance agent, vice president, and co-owner of the Thorne Insurance Agency. During his 12 years with Thorne he not only sets the vision and direction of the company, but is also responsible for working with its team to accomplish the goals set and grow the 91-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 3 to 8 years old.

Dawes is a member of the Bachelor Creek Church of Christ and serves as chairman of deacons. He belongs to Trusted Choice where his agency holds its IIAI (Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana) membership as well.

“I plan to bring my years of experience in management to the board so we can collectively protect the assets and interests of the co-op and further expand its operations. Since my existing job works heavily with the rural sector, I am ready to communicate to and for the members of District 33.”

DISTRICT 34

Max Highley lives on a farm south of Lagro. Highley is a retired veal farmer who now drives a school bus for MSD of Wabash County. Highley and his wife, Donna, have two children and six grandchildren. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University in agricultural business management.

Max is a member of First United Methodist Church in Wabash.

Highley has been a member of Heartland REMC for 41 years and has served on the board for 21 years; he is also the Heartland REMC representative for the Indiana Electric Cooperatives board.

“I helped lead the co-op through the 2014 consolidation to prepare the co-op for the future without sacrificing local and community presence. Now is a critical time for Heartland as we navigate complex issues, like bringing large industrial opportunities to our service territory, and identifying new power source options while ensuring we stay intensely community-focused and continue to enhance the quality of life for our members. We need to retain experience on the board to continue this momentum.”

Laura Cole has been a resident of Wabash County since 2004. She has been on REMC lines for 15 years in the Urbana and the Lagro areas. Cole and her husband, Robert, have raised three daughters. She is currently a nanny to three children.

She is a graduate of Oak Hill High School and attended Ball State University.

Cole is a member of the Bachelor Creek Church of Christ and the Women’s Ministry Leadership Team. She is a volunteer with the Awana Children’s Ministry, and serves on the board of Wabash County Youth for Christ.

“As a director for Heartland REMC, I will bring a fresh perspective and a new voice in my role as an advocate for the co-op membership. I will strive to provide continued vision for growth with innovative energy and communication/internet solutions in cooperation with my fellow board members.”