Annual Meeting

District 1: Terry Hobbs

Terry Hobbs

Terry has served on the Western Cooperative Electric Board since 1993 and currently serves as vice president. He represents Western on the Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. Board, where he previously served as chairman, and serves as a Western representative on the Sunflower Electric Power Corporation Board. A lifelong farmer and rancher, his family’s Graham and Trego County land dates back to 1887. Hobbs supports employee safety, competitive rates, and technological advancement. He also authors the monthly “Talkin, Tootin & Tailgatin” column in Kansas Country Living. He and his wife, Diana, remain active in agriculture and their community.

District 2: Steve Hausler

Steve Hausler

Steve is a member in rural Ellis, was appointed to the Western Cooperative Electric Board of Trustees in 2025 and brings extensive experience in power supply and communications. He retired after 12 years as a communications specialist for Sunflower Electric Power Corporation. Hausler serves as one of Western’s representatives on the Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. Board. He dedicated 35 years to professional photojournalism and worked more than 20 years for The Hays Daily News. His work has been published in newspapers, magazines, and books across the US and around the world. He and his wife, Nikki, remain active in their community.

District 3: Johnnie Goddard & Dennis McNinch

Johnnie Goddard

Johnnie is retired following 34 years of executive leadership with the State of Kansas. He brings extensive expertise in large-scale operations, legislative advocacy, and fiscal management. As former Interim Secretary and Deputy Secretary of the Kansas Department of Corrections, he oversaw statewide facilities, managed multi-million-dollar budgets, and worked closely with legislative leaders to advance policy and secure funding. Goddard previously served as Warden of the Ellsworth Correctional Facility and is recognized for transparent leadership and operational excellence.

A graduate of Kansas State University, he holds a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Social Science and multiple professional certifications in leadership, quality management, and administration of justice.

Goddard has served 12 years on the USD 327 School Board and six years on the JH Robins Memorial Library Board. He is committed to maintaining reliable infrastructure, prioritizing safety, and keeping electric rates affordable for rural Kansans.

Dennis McNinch

Dennis is a North Ness County resident and has been a member of Western Cooperative Electric for more than 30 years. He farms in Ness and Trego counties with his wife, Kimberly, and their oldest son. McNinch retired from Farm Credit of Ness City after 32 years of service, where he managed agricultural loan portfolios and worked extensively with cooperative financing. He understands the cooperative model as member-owned and focused on creating long-term value.

He currently serves as a director for the Kansas Corn Commission and as a member of the U.S. Grains Council Trade Policy Advisory Team. He previously served as chairman of the Kansas Corn Commission and as a director for the National Corn Growers Association. McNinch holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Southwestern College.