The Energy Cooperative 2024 Election
DIRECTOR NOMINEES FOR THE ENERGY COOPERATIVE
Please note: The candidates’ bios may not appear in the same order as listed on the ballot.
DISTRICT 2
JIM HENRY
Jim
Henry was born and raised in Licking County, graduating from Newark
High School in 1981. He earned his engineering degree from The Ohio
State University whereupon graduation he worked at American Electric
Power for over 37 years. During his career, Henry was a Vice President
responsible for a multitude of activities in the fuel, mining and
generation side of the utility business, including testifying before
numerous state public service commissions. While working for AEP, Henry
also worked with Buckeye Power to purchase fuel and sell byproducts for
the Cardinal Power Plant. Henry served on the boards of the American
Coal Council and the National Coal Transportation Association. Now
retired, Henry has returned to Licking County wishing to contribute to
the community. An avid model railroader, Henry is the President of the
nonprofit Central Ohio Area Live Steamers. Jim lives in Granville with
his wife of nearly 40 years, Kelley, also originally from Licking
County. They also have two adult children who have recently moved to
the area after graduating from The Ohio State University.
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WITHDREW
Please omit Mr. Kasper in your nominee considerations.
Mark Kasper
Mark
Kasper and his wife, Kathy, have lived in Licking County since 2001
when they purchased the campground, Lazy River At Granville. Focused on
making Licking County a destination for tourists, they have invested in
the county and in the campground and as a result were honored as the
Tourism Partner of the Year in 2017. Mark holds degrees in Education
and Business Management. “I recognize the challenges of providing
affordable and reliable energy to the customers of The Energy
Cooperative”.
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Beverly Keener
Beverly
(Bev) Keener, a lifelong resident of Licking County, is the Sales
Manager for the Canaan Fir Tree Company, a division of Timbuk Farms,
Inc. Bev has served and volunteered in her community of McKean Township
for 37 years, including county/township board positions. She is an
executive board member of the Ohio Christmas Tree Association. She
takes part in Operation Evergreen, a project that ships Christmas trees
to our service men and women overseas. Bev and her family are
supporters/volunteers of the local 4-H program and the Hartford
Independent Fair. Bev is a member of the Highwater Congregational UCC.
She has been married to her husband, David, for forty-two years. They
have two grown daughters, sons-in-law and seven grandchildren.
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Troy Parkinson
Troy
Parkinson, owner/operator of Bug Sniper Pest Control, takes pride in
fostering great relationships with his customers while providing
quality work and service. He grew up locally on a dairy farm in Utica.
Troy is an Alumni of Utica High School and Ohio University. He attends
Life Change Church and is humbled by God’s goodness and providence over
his life. When Troy is not on service calls keeping the community safe
from pests of all kind, he can be found either on a tractor mowing hay
or horseback checking his wagyu cross cattle. In the winter months he
spends time with his mentor, Page Carr, building muzzleloaders. He has
two young sons that are happy to instruct him on farming practices and
sometimes bring him the right socket set. He has been married for 14
years to an overly encouraging, professional list maker. Consequently,
he never seems to run out of “projects”.
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Nelson Smith
Nelson
Smith was elected to the board in 2003 and is presently the Chairman of
the Board. Through extensive training, he has received the Credentialed
Cooperative Director (CCD), Board Leadership certificate (BLC), and
Director Gold certificates (DGC) from the National Rural Electric
Cooperative Association. Smith represents cooperatives from OH, IN, WV,
and MI on the board of Federated Insurance, a national cooperative that
insures about 90% of electric cooperatives across the country. He
serves as a Washington Township Trustee and volunteers on the board
responsible for restoring the Historic Licking County Jail. Smith is a
1966 graduate of Newark HS, attended OSU and served 4 years in the
Navy. He is the retired publisher of the Utica Herald, The Heath News,
the Pataskala Post and On Target. Smith is former part-owner of Chapel
Hill Golf Course in Mount Vernon. He is married to Kim and between them
have four children and nine grandchildren.
DISTRICT 5
Wayne Zollars
Wayne
Zollars is the CEO and president of Smithhisler Meats, Inc., a retail,
and wholesale company located in Knox County that has served residents,
businesses, and organizations for the past 40 years. He is a member of
the Knox County Farm Bureau, Ohio Grocers Association, Knox County
Cattlemen’s Association, and is a Monroe Township Trustee. Zollars is
also involved with the Blue-Ribbon Livestock 4-H Club. He is married to
Kim and they have two boys, Justin and Ryan.
DISTRICT 9
Tom Graham
Tom
Graham was elected to the board in 2009. He currently serves as Vice
Chair of the NGO Cooperative and NGO Transmission Boards. Through
extensive training, he has received the Credentialed Cooperative
Director (CCD), Board Leadership Certificate (BLC), and Director Gold
Certificate (DGC) from the National Rural Electric Cooperative
Association. Graham lives in Jackson Twp, Muskingum County, where he
farms corn, soybean, wheat, hay and raises cattle and hogs in
partnership with his family. He currently serves on the Ohio Rural
Electric Cooperatives Board, is a past director of the Ohio Federation
of Soil & Water Districts as well as the Ohio Farm Bureau State
Young Farmers Committee. Graham has an associate degree in construction
from Texas State Technical College. He is married to Sue; they have
three children and five grandchildren and attend More Life Church in
Newark.
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Kate Klaus
Kate
Klaus resides in Hopewell, Ohio, alongside her husband and two children
on their family farm. A Muskingum University graduate, she manages
Royal Flush Mobile Restrooms, LLC, and serves as VP of Corporate
Strategy at ClearPath Utility Solutions, LLC. Active in her faith
community at Cornerstone Church, Kate enjoys family time, traveling,
and her personal goal of reading a book weekly. Committed to her
community, she served on the board for Zanesville-Muskingum County
Convention and Visitors Bureau and engages with the
Zanesville-Muskingum Chamber of Commerce’s Safety Council Steering
Committee.
