DISTRICT 1 | Sheridan, Graham, Rooks, and Osborne counties

MARVIN KELLER grew up on his family farm, graduated from Palco High School, and attended Fort Hays State University. He worked at Schult Homes Manufacturing for five years and then at Quality Collision Repair/Keller Motors. He has been working for the City of Palco as city superintendent for the past 17 years. Keller has achieved his Credentialed Cooperative Director and Board Leadership certifications and the Director Gold credential from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

“I appreciate all the support in the past and would greatly welcome the opportunity to serve another term. Thank you!

DISTRICT 1 | Sheridan, Graham, Rooks, and Osborne counties
 

RYAN WELLS was born and raised in Damar and has been married to Becky for 25 years. They have three daughters. He has worked for Normandin Heating and AC, Inc. for 28 years. He has been an active member of the Damar Knights of Columbus for 29 years, served on the Damar City Council for 13 years, and is a member of the fire department. He recently moved to rural Bogue to take over the family farm and continue to work in the HVAC business.

"As a Trustee, my focus would be to provide reliable power to customers, to listen to the members that have issues and get them solved quickly, and ensure that the communities and members are getting the best service possible." 

DISTRICT 2 | Trego, Ellis, Russell, Lincoln counties

TIM STANTON was born and raised in WaKeeney and graduated from Trego Community High School in 1983. He attended Northwest Kansas Technical College and received a certificate in electronics technology in 1984. He and his wife, Melissa, have been married for 35 years and reside in rural Ellis County. They have two grown children: a son, Logan, and a daughter, Jessie. After graduating, he worked for 12 years in home and commercial electronics sales and service. His first experience with coops, including Western, was as district sales manager for Kansas DBS in Hays for four years. In 2000, he was invited to help grow a local, family-owned hearing aid business, which enabled him to spend more time with family. He enjoys the opportunity to have a direct influence on managing and growing a small business. In 2005, the Stantons purchased the business and renamed it Hearing Solutions, LLC. They also own and operate Outback Heat Source, which started in 2003. They are blessed to have family living and working nearby.

“I feel the cooperative is literally the heartbeat of its communities.  It is a team of people with many years of combined experience working to provide the consumer with safe, reliable electricity at a wholesale cost while keeping the community's best interest in mind through the programs it offers to foster jobs and development.  I believe it provides the local consumer with the opportunity to have influence on the direction the cooperative takes.  A strong co-op encourages growth to its service territories while always striving for dependable and affordable services.  That is only possible when the cooperative can provide employment opportunities to the communities they serve that are well paying, long term, and assure a safe working environment.  The cooperative must remain fiscally sound to continue long-term services and growth in its communities.  As members of the communities themselves, employees and trustee members understand the value of working to always keep the co-op healthy."

DISTRICT 3 | Gove, Ness, Rush, Barton, Ellsworth counties
 

LANDON HEIER lives in Grainfield and graduated from Wheatland High School. After studying farm and ranch management at Dodge City Community College, he moved back to the farm, where he runs livestock and farms alongside his dad and twin brother. He has served as a Hi-Plains Co-op board member, a church council member for St. Agnes Catholic Church in Grainfield, and a council member for Grainfield Knights of Columbus.

“It would be a privilege to serve another term as a Western Co-op trustee for District 3.”

DISTRICT 3 | Gove, Ness, Rush, Barton, Ellsworth counties

JAMES “JIM” JANSSEN was raised near Lyons and began his career as an electrician with Amerine Electric in Great Bend. He worked from journeyman to superintendent with companies in Phoenix, Arizona, and then moved to Kansas City, Kansas, joining IBEW 124 for 10 years before opening his business, Electrical Service Co., for 15 years. He retired in 2017 and moved to Lorraine to flip restored homes with an emphasis on safety, and National Electrical Code (NEC) codes to ensure customer security and satisfaction.

“I would make an ideal trustee because of my drive to accomplish higher objectives."