GUERNSEY-MUSKINGUM ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE CURRENTLY SPEAKING Director Shirley Stutz Retires

Shirley Stutz retired from the Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative Board of Directors on March 31, 2023, after 40 years of dedicated service.

Shirley was appointed to the board on January 12, 1983, to fill the vacant position of former GMEC Board Director Howard Moore. She was elected to the board of directors at the 1984 Annual Meeting and was the first female elected to the board. Shirley served the board of directors as chairman for four years, vice chairman for four years, and secretary-treasurer for three years. Shirley is a Credentialed Cooperative Director and served on the Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives Board of Directors for 13 years, working on the education committee and facilities attachment committee and chairing the youth committee.

Shirley represented the members of Guernsey County in Center, Jefferson, Londonderry, Madison, Monroe, Oxford, Washington, and Wills townships.

Shirley is a retired county executive director for the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Services, USDA. We wish Shirley well in her retirement! Thank you, Shirley!

Susan Harper of Salesville has been elected to represent District 6 for a threeyear term on GMEC’s Board of Directors. Susan replaces outgoing District 6 Director Shirley Stutz, who retired after 40 years of service to the rural people of southeastern Ohio.

Susan was born and raised in Guernsey County and lives on the family dairy farm her father purchased in the 1950s. She currently operates the farm, raising Angus beef cattle, hay, and corn. She is a graduate of Buckeye Trail High School. She has two grown sons, Tom Harper (Arin) and Scott Harper (Michelle Hughes), and two grandchildren. Susan has served as fiscal officer for Madison Township, worked as a legal secretary, served in a customer service role in the insurance field, and served as a Federal Land Bank clerk. She has been active in 4-H and served as a 4-H advisor for 10 years. Susan says she “has always admired and appreciated GMEC and the hard work they put into keeping our rural homes and businesses running. It is an honor to serve on the board of directors and to represent my community in this capacity.”

We welcome Susan to the cooperative family!