District 3 TRUSTEE CANDIDATES

Jim Rice has been a cattle and grain farmer for 26 years, and was a dairy farmer. He graduated from Ben Logan High School and earned an associates degree from Ohio State University. Rice joined the cooperative in 1988 and was elected to the board in 2011. Rice has earned the Credentialed Cooperative Director, Board Leadership, and Director Gold certificates.

Rice believes he is the right person to be a trustee because he has learned from retired trustees, remembers the history, and wants to see that level of service continue. “The co-op has a long history of providing great service and value to its members and I want to keep it going strong.”

If elected to the board, Rice would like to keep rates low and be more involved with members and the community. He would like to see LCEC promote the power stability and value the co-op provides its members, while working with the local community to help bring economic growth.

He would also like to add future stability for the co-op by focusing on cyber security and green energy.

Rice has been involved in the community by serving as a Bokescreek Township trustee, on the Ben Logan athletic boosters, as a youth basketball coach, and as past president of the West Mansfield conservation club.

“It has been an honor to serve LCEC and I am dedicated to this job that I enjoy. I would like to continue serving my local community.”

Jim Wolever graduated from Ben Logan High School and then attended Ohio State University. He is retired from Honda of America, where he worked as associate chief engineer. Wolever became a member of the cooperative in 1990

Wolever’s work experience has prepared him to serve as a co-op trustee. “During my career, I managed a large manufacturing department, served as project leader for large projects, was project evaluator for technical issues, served on a board overseeing over $100 million in endowments, and both presented and led discussions at automotive industry seminars.”

If elected to the board, Jim would like to see the co-op model help advance rural high-speed internet. Additionally, he is concerned about the interaction between rural communities and new grid-connected generation projects. “I think our energy future is changing and involvement at the local level is very important.”

Understanding how to work with influence outside our community is also critical. “Electric utilities are a heavily regulated industry and I have experience working in a regulated industry, primarily environmental and occupational health regulations.”

Jim’s biggest involvement in the local community has been serving as a school board member.

“I feel Logan County Electric Cooperative is a well-run operation. Because of that fundamental strength, I think the co-op is well prepared to address our challenging energy future. The role the co-op can play in serving the local community is very important and I would welcome the opportunity to engage with our members, helping to ensure we meet their needs and the future needs of our communities.”