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Board of Trustees

Our board of trustees is comprised of fourteen representatives from across 4 Rivers Electric Cooperative’s territory. The trustees meet monthly to discuss cooperative business. The board is elected from the membership by the membership.

 

 

 

Guide

  • Elections & Voting
  • 2021 Trustee Election Information

Michael Springer, President - District S3

michael

Michael Springer, President - District S3

Michael is a third-generation farmer in Wilson County.  He and his wife, Christy, and two sons, Mason and Cooper, live on their farm south of Fredonia. He is the managing partner of Springer Family Foods, the family's farrow to finish hog farm.  The family also raises wheat, corn, and soybeans.

Michael was elected to the board in 2014 and served as Radiant board president for two years and then was elected to serve as the 4 Rivers Board President.  He has received National Rural Electric Cooperative's (NRECA) Credentialed Cooperative Director certification.  He also serves as a trustee for the Wilson Medical Center and as a member of the State Board of Agriculture.  Michael is also involved in Farm Bureau and Kansas Pork Association. He enjoys advocating for agriculture and rural communities and considers it a privilege to raise kids on the farm and serve the community with them.

Robert Converse, Vice President - District N1

Robert Converse - District N1

Robert Converse, Vice President - District N1

Robert joined the Lyon Coffey Electric Cooperative Board in 1996, serving as president from 2010-2019, and now serves as vice-president of the 4 Rivers Board.   He also served as the co-op’s delegate on Kansas Electric Power Cooperative's (KEPCo) board from 2016-2020. Robert has completed NRECA certifications for Credentialed Cooperative Director, Board Leadership and has earned the Director Gold Credential.

He continues to farm and ranch with his family in Harveyville, Kansas.  His wife, Diana, and daughters, Millicent and Kaytlyn, share his love of country life. 

Gene Huston, Secretary - District N1

A.E. "Gene" Huston

Gene Huston, Secretary - District N1

Gene and his wife, Janice, have two daughters. He is a Wichita State University graduate, retired from BNSF and resides in rural Americus. Currently, he is a part time local pastor at the United Methodist churches of Hartford and Neosho Rapids.  He is a 40+ year resident of northern Lyon County and a 30+ year member of the cooperative, serving on the board since 2011. Gene has received certification for NRECA Credentialed Cooperative Director, Board Leadership and the Director Gold Credential.

David Engelman, Treasurer - District S1

David Engelman - District S1

David Engelman, Treasurer - District S1

David and his wife, Elaine, have four children, Amanda, Adam, Andrew, and Aaron. He owns and operates Engelman Appraisals, L.L.C, with his son Andrew, and they also have a cow-calf operation. He performs agricultural inspections for First National Bank of Fredonia. He is a graduate of Altoona-Midway High School and Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in animal science and industry. He has served on committees and boards for Zion Lutheran Church of Chanute, two terms on the Altoona Midway School Board, and as a club leader for the High Prairie Pioneers 4-H Club. He has completed his NRECA's Credentialed Cooperative Director certification.

Tom Ayers, Trustee - District S1

Tom Ayers - District S1

Tom Ayers, Trustee - District S1

Tom and his wife, Alana, reside in rural Altoona. They have four children and seven grandchildren. He retired in 2008 as a rural mail carrier with 30 years of service. He taught math in the Fredonia USD 484 school district for six years while also serving in Kansas National Guard (1969-76). Tom has served as a board member of his church, school, County Conservation, state Young Farmers and Ranchers and Wilson County Farm Bureau. He is still a Farm Bureau Crop Specialist agent with 38 years serving farmers. He is certified as an NRECA Credentialed Cooperative Director, Board Leadership, and Director Gold Credentialed and serves as 4 Rivers’ alternate delegate to the KEPCo Board of Directors.

Randal "Randy" Bunnel, Trustee - District N2

Randy Bunnel - District N2

Randy Bunnel, Trustee - District N2

Randy is a third-generation farmer located south of Welda in Anderson County. He raises corn, soybeans, wheat and hay and has a cow-calf herd. He serves as the chief of the Welda station of Anderson County Fire Dept. Randy's hobbies include tinkering in the shop, attending school activities and Facetiming with his daughter and grandson. His wife, Betsy, is employed by USD #365 Garnett as a Reading Recovery teacher and assistant principal. Randy has completed NRECA certifications for Credentialed Cooperative Director, Board Leadership and the Director Gold Credential.

Larry Felts, Trustee - District S2

Larry Felts - District S2

Larry Felts, Trustee - District S2

Larry and his wife, Ruth, reside west of Liberty. They have three grown children, Kristi, Kelly, and Tommy, and eight grandchildren.  Larry is a grain and livestock producer and partners with his brother Richard to operate Felts Farms, raising corn, wheat and soybeans, along with a cow-calf herd.  Larry is a graduate of Field-Kindley High School and Kansas State University with a bachelor's degree in animal science and industry. Larry is vice chairman of the Liberty United Methodist Church Administrative Board, treasurer of Montgomery County Rural Fire District #1 Fire Fighters Relief Association, a member of the Liberty Division of Montgomery County Rural Fire District #1, and past member of the Montgomery County Local Emergency Planning Committee.  Larry also chairs Verdigris Drainage District #3. He served 15 years on Radiant Electric's board and is proud to serve on the founding board of 4 Rivers Electric. Larry obtained NRECA Credentialed Cooperative Director certification, Board Leadership certification and Director Gold credential.

Nick Frankenberry, Trustee - District S - At-Large

Nick Frankenberry

Nick Frankenberry, Trustee - District S - At-Large

Nick and his wife, Kira, reside northeast of Fredonia. They are the parents of two children, Kaelyn and Cohen. Nick is a grain and livestock producer. He graduated from Altoona Midway High School and Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness. Nick is a member of Fredonia United Methodist Church and serves on the church’s board of trustees and foundation board. He is a member of Farm Service Agency’s county committee for Wilson and Woodson counties. Nick is certified as NRECA Credentialed Cooperative Director.

Robert Harkrader, Trustee - District N2

Robert Harkrader - District N2

Robert Harkrader, Trustee - District N2

Robert has been a member of the co-op since electric since 1989 and served on the board since 2017. He is originally from Wilson County and a graduate of Fredonia High School and Kansas State University.  He worked for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service for 36 years and then as a biologist with Pheasants Forever/ Quail Forever before his retirement. He and his wife, Janet, live in New Strawn and have two grown sons, Allen and Bryan.

Stacy Heins, Trustee - District N3

Stacy Heins - District N3

Stacy Heins, Trustee - District N3

Stacy and her husband, Travis, live on a small farm in Olpe.  She has been a teacher at USD 244 Burlington since 2001.  She is a member of Ebenezer Methodist Church in Olpe.  She enjoys spending time with her three children: Marley, Darren, and Kinley. She appreciates the opportunity to serve the cooperative as a board member and enjoys the relationships she has built as a representative.  Stacy has received her certification as NRECA Credentialed Cooperative Director.

David Kunkel, Trustee - District N2

David Kunkel - District N2

David Kunkel - District N2

David has been a cooperative member for over fifty years. He and his wife, Connie, have three grown children: Jerry, Kristi, and Jennifer, and seven grandchildren.  David worked for the US postal service for 23 years as a rural mail carrier, retiring several years ago. They reside on and operate the farm where he grew up southeast of Waverly and maintain a small cow herd.  He attended Independence Junior College and Emporia State University.  David serves as the co-op’s delegate to Kansas Electric Cooperative’s board and has received NRECA certification for Credentialed Cooperative Director, Board Leadership and the Director Gold Credential.

Warren Schmidt, Trustee - District N3

Warren Schmidt

Warren Schmidt, Trustee - District N3

Warren was born in Lyon County and grew up in rural Hartford. He and his wife, Sharon, have two sons and six grandchildren. His background is in crop land, dairy, swine, cattle feeding, and market lambs. Warren currently works for Prairieland Partners John Deere in Emporia, where he has been in sales for 26 years, as well as many other capacities. He also operates their family's third-generation farm with row crop and a cow-calf operation. Warren has served on the co-op board since 2013 and has NRECA certification for Credentialed Cooperative Director and Board Leadership.

Sandy Smith, Trustee - District S3

Sandy Smith

Sandy Smith, Trustee - District S3

Sandy and her husband, Randy, live southeast of Fall River.  They grow wheat, soybeans and corn and have a cow-calf operation.  Sandy owns The Plant Station, a flower and gift shop in Fredonia's historic train depot. They have two sons and four grandchildren. Sandy’s grandmother was one of the farmer wives who originally gathered the $5 fees to start the electric cooperative. Sandy has served on the board for since 2013 and is certified for NRECA's Credentialed Cooperative Director, Board Leadership and Director Gold Credential.  

Carol Wehmeyer, Trustee - District S2

Carol Wehmeyer - District S2

Carol Wehmeyer, Trustee - District S2

Carol and her husband, Gerald, reside east of Tyro and raise beef, buffalo and elk. They have a grown son, Brent. Carol graduated from Field Kindley High School and Coffeyville Community College. Carol is customer service coordinator for national and international accounts at Standard Motor Products in Independence and a member of Tyro Christian Church. She has served on Montgomery County Farm Bureau Board; as woman’s chairman of Montgomery County Farm Bureau; as member and secretary of Montgomery County Extension Council Executive Board; on Radiant Electric’s scholarship committee; as Fawn Creek 4-H Club leader, chaperone of Kansas 4-H youth to 4-H Citizenship Washington Focus; and is Leadership Coffeyville alumni. Carol is NRECA certified for Credentialed Cooperative Director and Board Leadership.

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Call Us

620-364-2116 or 800-748-7395

Business Hours

North District  |  2731 Milo Terr., Lebo, KS 66856  |  8 am to 4:30 pm

South District  |  9346 Jewell Rd., Fredonia, KS 66736  |  8 am to 4:30 pm

Payment Center  |  2501 W. 18th St., Ste. B, Emporia, KS 66801  |  8 am to 4pm (closed 1-2pm)

         

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  • MY ACCOUNT
    • MANAGING YOUR ACCOUNT
      • Pay My Bill With SmartHub
      • Pay As A Guest
      • Report a Scam
      • Billing & Payment Options
      • Cold Weather Accommodation
  • MY COOPERATIVE
    • COMPANY INFO
      • About 4 Rivers Electric
      • Board of Trustees
      • Bylaws
      • Elections & Voting
      • Policies
      • Rules and Regulations
      • Service Territory Map
    • NEWS
      • News Releases
        • All News
      • Kansas Country Living