Thank you for Attending Western’s 79th Annual Meeting

First and foremost, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to each of you who attended Western’s 79th Annual Meeting on May 8. Your participation enriched the event and reaffirmed the strength and vitality of our cooperative family, a testament to the power of our community. Together, we are indeed stronger, and your active engagement is the driving force behind our success.

A special acknowledgment goes out to our distinguished guest speaker, Lee Tafanelli, CEO of Kansas Electric Cooperatives. His remarks echoed our meeting's theme of "Wired for Success." Lee's wealth of experience and wisdom provides invaluable leadership to all the electric cooperatives across the state of Kansas, and we extend our gratitude for his words and contributions.

For those unable to attend the meeting in person, we've made sure that you can still be part of the experience. Key moments from the event, including speeches and presentations, are available for viewing on our website, www.westerncoop.com. We believe in keeping all members informed and engaged in our cooperative's activities, regardless of their ability to attend in person.

I'd like to take this opportunity to recognize and express appreciation for our newly elected trustees: Marvin Keller representing District 1, Tim Stanton representing District 2, and Landon Heier representing District 3. Your willingness to serve in these crucial roles demonstrates your unwavering commitment to our cooperative's mission and values. Thank you for stepping up to help guide us toward continued success.

During the meeting, three valued board members were honored for their dedication and commitment to our cooperative. Dale Weinhold was recognized for his decade of service, a testament to his unwavering dedication to our cooperative's success. Retiring from the board this year, Craig Crossland was celebrated for an impressive two decades of service. Finally, Richard Schaus was honored for an astounding half-century of service, a milestone that speaks volumes about his unparalleled commitment and enduring passion for our cooperative's mission. Their combined years of service reflect a deep-rooted commitment to our cooperative's values and serve as an inspiration to us all.

As we reflect on the achievements of our Annual Meeting, let's carry forward the spirit of collaboration and unity that characterized our gathering. The Western employees have proven time and again that there's no obstacle they cannot overcome in order to accomplish their mission of serving our members. Your ongoing support, dedication, and participation are the cornerstones of our cooperative's strength, and for that, we are profoundly grateful.

I'd also like to extend our gratitude to the Kansas Legislators who honored us with their presence and shared valuable insights into issues crucial to our community's welfare. Thank you to Sen. Rick Billinger, Rep. Barb Wasinger, Rep. Ken Rahjes, and Reid Petty, representing Sen. Jerry Moran, for taking the time to join us and contribute to our discussions.

In the months ahead, let's harness the momentum generated at our Annual Meeting as we work together to realize our shared vision for a thriving community. Your feedback, input, and involvement will continue to be invaluable as we navigate the road ahead and pursue our collective goals.

Once again, thank you for your unwavering commitment to Western Co-op. With your support, dedication, and active engagement, we will continue to thrive and succeed as a cooperative family united in our pursuit of excellence.

--Tom Ruth