For the second consecutive year, Wheatland Electric Cooperative, Inc., trustee elections are by mail-in ballot.

Ballots were mailed March 24 and must be received NO LATER THAN APRIL 18 using the postage-paid envelope provided. Members are encouraged to return their ballots as soon as possible.

BALLOTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AT WEC OFFICES.

WEC is governed by a 10-member board of trustees, who play a significant role in setting the policies and strategic direction for the co-op, as well as making financial decisions. 

WEC’s mail-in voting will be managed by Survey and Ballot Systems, a national data solutions company. Election results will be announced at this year’s 2025 annual meeting. Find more details in this month's issue of Kansas Country Living.

Questions? Call your local office or email memberservices@weci.net.

JEFF CLARKE, a native of Jetmore, Kansas, has resided in Garden City since 1982, following his graduation from Fort Hays State University. Recently retired, Jeff practiced as a certified public accountant (CPA) for over 41 years, first at Birney and Company, followed by Keller and Miller, CPAs. 

Over the years, Jeff has served on several community and church committees, including Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Knights of Columbus, United Way of Finney County, Education Commission, Pastoral Council and Finance Commission, all of St. Dominic Catholic Church. Currently he stays active serving on the Finney County Humane Society, as well as the LiveWell Finney County Health Coalition. He also serves on the St. Catherine Hospital Development Foundation and as a Trustee for the SDSI Foundation, Inc.

Jeff and his wife of 40 years, Marjie, love to travel and be with friends. They especially enjoy being with their three adult children and three grandchildren. 

When he was approached to possibly serving on the WEC Board of Trustees he was intrigued. Jeff has always enjoyed a challenge, and he knew this would definitely be an interesting adventure. He has always told people that his job as a CPA was based on his desire to help people. Whether it was with their tax return, financial statement preparation, or the many other management advisory services, it was all about helping people.

As he looks at this community opportunity, he sees the same thing. The cooperative is all about people helping people. He sees this as an opportunity to connect with local business leaders, government officials, and other community stakeholders. All with a goal to help shape the future of our community.

JASON DOUGHERTY has deep roots in Kansas, growing up on his family’s farm in Syracuse as one of six children. From an early age, he developed a strong work ethic and a passion for aviation, earning his student pilot’s certificate at just 16. His dedication to service led him to the U.S. Army, where he proudly served during Operation Desert Storm. Now, at 52, Jason lives in Garden City, Kansas, with his wife, Jennifer, their four children, and a grandson who keeps life full of joy.

A graduate of Kansas State University with a degree in surveying, Jason built his career as an entrepreneur. In 2008, he and Jennifer started a small business together, which has since grown into a thriving company employing more than 25 full-time staff and several part-time workers. Today, he owns and operates multiple businesses, including Legacy Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and Dog Days Resort, where three of his four children work alongside him.

Jason’s commitment to his community goes beyond business. He is actively involved in his church as a teacher and coach and has participated in mission work locally and abroad, including Kansas, Guatemala, India, Nepal, China and Germany. He also supports various charitable initiatives in southwest Kansas, always looking for ways to give back.

With a lifelong dedication to service, hard work and integrity, Jason is ready to bring his experience and values to the WEC Board of Trustees. He looks forward to the opportunity to serve and ensure a strong future for the co-op and the communities it supports.

MARIBETH BENKER has lived in Great Bend much of her life, moving from a Reno County family farm, when her family purchased the John Deere farm equipment dealership in 1966. She began working at the dealership after high school and continued through the next 15 years; managing the office and bookkeeping and being involved in all financial aspects of the business.

In the 1990s she and her late husband started an irrigation service and sales business, where she handled the bookkeeping and managed the financial aspects of the business. Over the years she has given the stock to her heirs but still acts as secretary/treasurer of the corporation and assists with the financial aspects of the business when needed.

Currently she is employed at Watkins Calcara, Chtd. holding the position as a civil litigation paralegal. During her 30-year career with the firm, she has been involved in the litigation of numerous types of cases, including employment law, discrimination, wrongful death, eminent domain, contracts and personal injury. Included in those cases, were those representing WEC and other electric cooperatives. 

Being involved in some aspect of farming most of her life, she believes she can relate to and understand the many concerns of the district’s rural based membership. Additionally, being involved in the financial aspect of a large farm equipment dealership and owning a small farm-related business, affords her knowledge of the agricultural business base of WEC’s service territory. 

Working as a paralegal on electric cooperative cases has given her insight into the dynamics of the electric cooperatives, service territories, service rights, annexations, supply grids and electric suppliers. This has strengthened her belief in the necessity of a strong electric cooperative that will provide safe, reliable and affordable energy, as the energy industry faces rapid and demanding changes. 

WILLIAM “WOODY” BARNES, his wife, Lori, and their two sons, moved to Caldwell, Kansas, in 2005 to live in rural Kansas, surrounded by family. They founded Fall Creek Builders, Inc., and have served the region since.
Woody was born on cooperative lines in Sedan, Kansas. He earned a degree in Construction Science & Management from Kansas State University in 1988, spending 10 years in Commercial & Industrial Construction and eight years managing a residential building company. 

While in Caldwell, Woody served on the hospital board, school advisory committees, his church council, and, from June 2008 until April 2022, was a WEC trustee. The last five years of Woody’s tenure, he served as Board President and a delegate to the Sunflower Electric Power Corporation Board. 

While a trustee, Woody completed 40-plus educational courses totaling 240-plus hours of NRECA training. He was one of the first to obtain Director Gold credential and served as an expert panelist at national level meetings, on topics regarding CEO search and selection and board governance and compensation. 

The inspiration for seeking re-election comes from his belief and understanding of the cooperative system and how imperative it is to have a strong mix of expertise and understanding for trustees to serve the members as effectively as possible. 

“During my tenure as a trustee the board and management team worked diligently together to improve the financial stability and operational efficiency of WEC: CEO search and selection, reorganization of our subsidiaries, strategic planning and implementation, restructuring of safety program, better financial management. However, in the last three years, the board will have lost four trustees and 67 years of experience,” states Barnes.

If reelected, he will apply his knowledge and experience with the board, staff and membership, for WEC’s continued growth, and support for all communities served. 

DUSTIN STANSBURY was elected to the WEC Board of Trustees during the 2022 Annual Meeting, after his nomination from the floor was overwhelmingly supported by an unprecedented turnout of supportive WEC members. Dustin is a firm believer in the power of the members to elect their representation, and he is dedicated to making certain the board of trustees is aware of its actions on individual consumers. 

Dustin comes from a rural background through his childhood spent on his grandfather’s farm. He brings a “working man’s” perspective and the experience of a successful business entrepreneur to the WEC board. He has worked for Northern Pipeline, where he was awarded eight awards for safety.

He left Northern Pipeline for an opportunity with Vermeer, where he became the lead salesman in his western Kansas territory, giving him the opportunity to understand the challenges of living in western Kansas in which people have less access to modern conveniences that are often taken for granted in the eastern half of the state.

In 2014, Dustin established his business, DLS Underground, which also takes him all over Kansas and Oklahoma to install underground utilities and upgrade underground infrastructures in rural communities. 

During his first term as trustee, Dustin earned the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Credentialed Cooperative Director certificate in 2023, the Board Leadership certificate, and the Director Gold credential, which is the highest certification achievement awarded by NRECA. 

While representing rural Kansans on the WEC Board of Trustees, Dustin is a member of the Harper County Fair Board, the Harper County Zoning Board, and belongs to Knights of Columbus. He and his family live in rural Harper County.

They enjoy time at the lake with family and friends, supporting local and Kansas sports teams, and coaching their daughters’ teams.