Midwest Electric’s Annual Meeting
Join us for the 90th Annual Meeting of members on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at St. Marys Memorial High School (2250 State Route 66, St. Marys).
Enjoy a dinner buffet at 5:30 p.m., followed by the business meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Call 419-394-4110 to RSVP by June 1 or email info@midwestrec.com
Prizes & Scholarship
- $2,000 in bill credits will be awarded to members in attendance who also RSVP'd.
- $1,000 scholarship drawing, done entirely at the meeting and unrelated to our general scholarship program - the winner must be present to win
- Any Midwest Electric member who will be a college or trade school student in the fall of 2026 is eligible. The winner cannot have won a past scholarship from us. Members or children of members must enter at the annual meeting, where the winner will be drawn, and must be physically present to win. Money will be disbursed in Feb. 2027 following confirmation of college or trade school enrollment with a minimum 2.5 GPA.
Exciting Events & Activities
- Tethered hot-air balloon rides (weather permitting)
- Kids' activities - Bounce houses, pony rides, Kona Ice, and ice cream from The B-Hive
- Meet your energy advisor
- Informational booths on energy efficiency and renewable energy
- Grand Lake Health System health fair
- Director election results
- Financial and service reports
- Q&A with cooperative leaders
Agenda of Events
5:30 p.m. ....................... Doors Open
5:30-6:30 p.m. .............. Dinner for Midwest Electric members and immediate family, kids' activities, and games
6:30 p.m. ...................... Business meeting; kids' activities and booths continue
All evening .................... Variety of displays and presentations
Business meeting agenda
Call to order (6:30 p.m.) ................................................................. Board President, James Wiechart
Report on the number of members present ............................................................... James Wiechart
Approval of 2025 annual meeting minutes ............................................Board Secretary, Kathy Brake
Guest/employee introductions .................................................................................... CEO Matt Berry
Buckeye Power/Ohio Electric Cooperatives report ...........................Buckeye Power CFO, Bill Robert
Annual report of board president ............................................................................... James Wiechart
Annual report of CEO ......................................................................................................... Matt Berry
Member questions/concerns ................................................................................................Matt Berry
Report of the results of director election .................................... Cooperative Attorney Adam Johnson
Adjournment ............................................................................................................... James Wiechart
Health Fair
Grand Lake Health System will provide the following services at the annual meeting
Free screenings
- Blood pressure screenings
- Osteoporosis screenings
- Skin checks - OhioDerm
Health Education & Resources
- Drug take-back - Bring any unused medications for proper disposal by the Auglaize County Sheriff's Office
- Pain Management - Answer questions and concerns about pain
- Wound Care Center: Learn about treatment options and non-healing wounds.
Have questions or comments you'd like addressed during the meeting? Give us a call at 419-394-4110 or email info@midwestrec.com
Unable to attend the member meeting in person? Links to the Live Stream will be available below.
Two of the eight seats on the co-op board of directors are up for election this year. Any member residing in a district up for election may become a candidate by obtaining a petition form from the co-op's office and collecting at least 15 valid signatures from members residing in that district. Voting is conducted by mail and online, with results announced at the annual meeting.
Districts up for election in 2026:
- District 1 (3-year term): Auglaize and Shelby counties
- District 2 (3-year term): Allen & Putnam counties
2026 Board of Directors Election: Ballot & Instructions
***NOTE: Each member can vote for all Districts. You are not limited to voting only for your District.
Candidate Representing Board District 1
Incumbent Director Randy Heinl, 12046 Infirmary Road, Wapakoneta, was the only member to submit a petition to run for this year's District 1 opening. Per the Code of Regulations, he therefore shall be elected by acclamation and no vote is required for this seat. Your vote is still required for the District 2 contest.
Candidates Representing Board District 2
Steve Butcher, 960 Olt Road, Columbus Grove, has been a Midwest Electric Member since 2004. He served a term on the Midwest Electric Community Connection Fund Board of Trustees from 2021-2023. In 2022, Steve participated in the Midwest Electric Member Engagement Group class. In the fall of 2023, he visited the Cardinal Power Plant with the Midwest Electric bus tour group. Steve graduated from Columbus Grove High School. He earned his associate degree in business from Rhodes State College. For the past 19 years, he has worked in the electrical construction world. His first five years were at an electrical contractor, and the last 14 years have been at Wolff Brothers Supply in electrical, plumbing, and HVAC distribution, including the past 12 years in management. Steve is currently an OHSAA licensed volleyball official and was a licensed basketball official before that. Steve is a member of Lima Community Church of the Nazarene, where he has been involved with the children's ministry. He has a daughter who is a senior at Columbus Grove High School.
Thomas Micha, 6150 Dutch Hollow Rd, Elida, has been a Midwest Electric member since 2012. He was raised on a farm in the Elida area. Thomas has worked in agronomy sales and service for 25 years. During that time, he has also been engaged in farming corn, popcorn, soybeans, wheat, and raising beef cattle, with the help of his two sons. Thomas also enjoys contributing to the local community. He and his wife also have three daughters.
The board meets monthly to review the financial and operating performance of your cooperative. They review reports from the CEO and department managers and provide general direction for management decisions.
Other important issues — such as long-term planning and whether to change electric rates — are also acted upon by the board. Candidates commit to doing what is in the best long-term interests of the cooperative.
Candidates must have completed the official petition form and turned it into the co-op's office after March 18 and no later than 8 a.m. on May 1. Call us at 419-394-4110 to learn more.
Midwest Electric is governed by an 8-member board of trustees, comprised of co-op members just like you. Any member residing in a district up for election (listed below) may become a candidate by obtaining a petition form from the co-op’s office, and obtaining at least fifteen (15) valid signatures of members who reside within that district.
The Board meets monthly to review the financial and operating performance of your cooperative. They review reports from the manager/CEO and department managers and provide general direction for management decisions.
Other important issues – such as long-term planning and whether to change electric rates – are also acted upon by the Board. Candidates will need a commitment and a desire to always strive to do what is in the best long-term interest of the cooperative and its members.
Any member in the district up for election may be a candidate for the Midwest Electric Board of Trustees. Interested members must obtain a petition from our office and get at least 15 valid signatures of members who reside within the district.
Please see the "Board Elections" drop-down menu above for details about this year's election process.
Candidates must complete the official petition form and file it in our office by the deadline. Call us at 419-394-4110 for details or for a copy of the Code of Regulations.
Contact us for more information, a petition form, or for a copy of the Code of Regulations.