Electing directors at the 2024 Annual Meeting is one of the benefits of your Tipmont membership.

DISTRICT 2

Tom Cutter

Watch Tom’s candidate video at tipmont.com/annualmeeting.

I graduated from Western Michigan University with a bachelor’s of business administration in accounting. While at WMU, I had an exceptional basketball career and was drafted by the National Basketball Association (NBA). I still hold many WMU school records and was inducted into the WMU Hall of Fame in 2000.

I am a certified public accountant (CPA) with a practice in West Lafayette. I specialize in advising individuals, families, and closely held businesses.

My professional business career began at a national accounting firm, and I have obtained excellent experience over the last 35 years as a chief financial officer (CFO) for corporations ranging from $400 million to $800 million.

In particular, my service to various corporate boards of directors — as well as my community involvement — has been invaluable in providing advice to various businesses and organizations in setting policies and meeting regulations.

Through my extensive knowledge of corporate governance, I have a proven track record of developing corporate policies and business plans, leveraging business strategies, and using my financial expertise to reduce costs and improve productivity.

As a volunteer with various service organizations (including the Chamber of Commerce, United Way, YMCA, Rotary, various church committees and youth sports, and as a founder of the Greater Lafayette YMCA Foundation), I have proven my ability to serve the objectives of a board of directors — balancing the important needs of a company, its shareholders, employees, and customers, and the whole community.

DISTRICT 2

Daphene Koch

Watch Daphene’s candidate video at tipmont.com/annualmeeting.

My name is Daphene Koch, and I am running to be your next District 2 Tipmont Director. As a lifelong Hoosier with deep family roots in Tippecanoe County, I am passionate about serving our community.

I was born in Lafayette and graduated from Central Catholic High School and Purdue University — the latter with a bachelor’s degree in construction management. Growing up, I worked in my family’s Lafayette business, Cyr Plumbing and Heating, which my father founded in 1964.

After earning my bachelor’s degree, I managed industrial projects both in the United States and abroad, including a major liquefied natural gas facility in Malaysia. In 2006, I returned to Tippecanoe County and joined Purdue University as a faculty member in the School of Construction Management. This move allowed me to become a Tipmont member and reconnect with the community I love.

My husband, Jay, and I cherish our rural roots. We have fond memories of our grandparents’ farms. We now live in Perry Township with our rescue dogs. Jay’s brother and uncle continue to operate farms in Rush County.

As a small business owner, I also train others in project management and leadership skills. My commitment to service extends to volunteering on the Willowstone Family Services board and at Central Indiana Lab Rescue and Adoption.

With my diverse experience and dedication to our community, I am eager to bring helpful perspectives and continued effective leadership to Tipmont. I humbly ask for your vote to serve District 2 and ensure that our cooperative continues to thrive and meet the needs of all of its members.

DISTRICT 2

Ken Walton

Watch Ken’s candidate video at tipmont.com/annualmeeting.

I was raised on a small farm and have lived in the northeastern corner of Tipmont’s territory for the past 44 years. I graduated from Delphi High School and earned my bachelor’s degree from Purdue University’s College of Agriculture.

My wife, Kathy, and I have been married for 42 years. While raising cattle and production crops in 1983, we started a family-owned fabrication business providing architectural steel to many construction sites (including Lilly and Nucor) and later providing fabrications to Caterpillar. From a small side business, we grew to earn our place on the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing companies and later sold the business in 1997.

I worked for 15 years for Monsanto (and its acquisitions) in various roles, including sales, business development, and management, assisting in multiple branding transitions.

Since my retirement, I have developed a new subdivision southwest of Delphi, and this spring, I designed and self-installed an 8 kW solar array at our home.

I currently serve as vice president of the Carroll County Economic Development Corporation and am an active member of the National Walnut Council and my local Lions Club.

Kathy and I enjoy camping and traveling to see our three children and four grandchildren. We are also members of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, where I serve as property committee chairman.

With my background in business, economic development, and solar power, I feel that I can provide a valuable perspective to help guide the company through the challenges and opportunities that we face.

DISTRICT 5

Larry Carlson (incumbent)

Watch Larry’s candidate video at tipmont.com/annualmeeting.

I am a resident of Davis Township, Fountain County, and graduated from Purdue University in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in chemistry and biology. After college, I returned to my family farm, where I reside today with my wife, Zoetta, a retired registered nurse. Together, we are the parents of Jason and Amy, and we have three grandchildren.

Besides farming, I am a licensed real estate broker, a former member of the Fountain Trust State Bank advisory board, and a four-term trustee for Davis Township. I enjoy my grandchildren, Corvettes, fishing in Canada, and representing you.

In 1973, I was elected to the Tipmont board. During my tenure, I have served six years as secretary-treasurer, 24 years as chairman, and two years as vice-chairman. In 1985, I became a National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Credentialed Cooperative Director after successfully completing several courses. I received the Director Gold certificate and pin in 2016. From 1993 to 2008, I served as a director on the boards of North Central Data Cooperative in Bismarck, North Dakota, and its successor, the National Information Services Cooperative of St. Louis, Missouri, Tipmont’s software provider. I also served on the Financial Planning Committee of Wabash Valley Power Alliance.

In 2008, the Tipmont board chose me to be a director on the Indiana Electric Cooperatives board, our statewide organization. I served there for 10 years, seven of which were on the seven-member executive committee.

My goals as a director have always been to represent members in ways that improve their lives by providing efficient, reliable, and requested services at reasonable costs.

DISTRICT 5

John Dale

Watch John’s candidate video at tipmont.com/annualmeeting.

I was born in Ames, Iowa, and moved to Tippecanoe County in 1967 when my father, Robert Dale, became a professor at Purdue University’s College of Agriculture. I graduated from Harrison High School in 1979 and then from Wabash College.

I married Kathy, who was a registered nurse, in 1985, and we moved to Sutton, Alaska, where we lived for four years. I worked on the Northern Slope oil fields for two years and then spent two years working at a youth home. Returning to Tippecanoe County, I got my teaching license from Purdue in 1990. I taught social studies for 33 years at Western Boone Jr./Sr. High School, retiring in 2023. I also coached wrestling at both Western Boone and Southwestern Middle School for a total of 20 years.

Kathy and I raised our four children on our small farm in West Point in both Tippecanoe and Fountain counties, where we farm corn, beans, and beef cattle. I currently enjoy working on the farm and spending time with our five grandchildren.

Our farm has relied on Tipmont for over 30 years. We recently installed a solar power system that Tipmont permitted in a quick and safe manner. I like the service offered by Tipmont and the quick repairs they offer. I like how the poles and wires are maintained and cleared on a regular schedule. For these reasons, I would like to be a part of this team, and I look forward to working together as the service areas continue to grow.

DISTRICT 7

Robert Baker (incumbent)

I have been a member of the Tipmont board since 2003 and a past director representing Tipmont on the Wabash Valley Power Alliance board for eight years. I am originally from Illinois. I have my bachelor’s, master’s, and education specialist degrees from Eastern Illinois University. I also hold a doctorate in school administration.

Even though I was raised in Illinois, I moved to Indiana nearly 50 years ago to begin my career in public education. I first taught in Vermillion County for five years before accepting a teaching position in Fountain County. While with the Southeast Fountain schools, I taught fourth grade, followed by working as assistant principal, principal, and, finally, district superintendent. After leaving Southeast Fountain, I finished my career in Vermilion County in Illinois, as the chief administrator for a special education cooperative and a vocational cooperative.

I am married with one granddaughter, and my son is deceased. My hobbies include a passion for horses and hunting. Since retirement, I have made many trips with my horse, Buddy, to various locations in the Rocky Mountains. I have ridden in every state from the Mexican border to the Canadian border.

I am very thankful that the membership has allowed me to represent them on the Tipmont board for these past 21 years. It is a fascinating and challenging position. I believe that in the future, our members will see some dramatic changes in how we supply electric power.

Tipmont Districts