Board of Trustee 2023 Candidates

The next decade could be either a challenge or an opportunity for Lane-Scott Cooperative. With more demand for power from more places, and fewer options to generate power, the challenge is obvious. The opportunity is less defined but exists with a thoughtful yet fast-acting board. I would like to be part of this future. I think I would bring a practical knowledge with fresh eyes to the mix.

I graduated from Kansas State University in 1980 with a degree in Mass Communications. I am currently on the KSU Foundation Board of Trustees having served since 2012. I serve on the Ag Marketing Advisory Board of the Kansas Department of Agriculture with my term ending in 2024. Locally, I am on the Board of Directors of the Ness County Bank Building Foundation serving since 1990. I am also on the Board of Directors for the Ness County Fire District #1 serving my third term that expires in 2024. As well, I am Center Township Clerk for Ness County.

My name is Gerome Copeland and I am a Farmer and Rancher in Ness County. I attended and graduated from Ness City High School in 1991. Then after High School I attended NCK in Beloit, Ks and Graduated from the Heavy Equipment department in 1992. After my schooling was complete I took a job with L & M Contractors a bridge building company out of Great Bent, KS as an, equipment operator, operating Cranes. In 2000 my wife and I decided it was time for me to stop being away from home building bridges and start a family so I took a job at Ness County Road and Bridge as the assistant Supervisor and we became involved with my parents in the family farm. Now in 2023 we are full time farmers ranchers and our family has grown with two daughters Gwendolyn age 18 and Gretchen age 16.

Over the years I have served on the Ness County Amusement Company board from the time of its conception in 2008 until 2018 and I served 4 years on the Board of trustees at my church.

I have always enjoyed being involved in my local community and as of now I am not. I believe serving on the Board of Trustees of the Lane - Scott Electric Cooperative would be an excellent way to become involved in the community again and the experience would be educational and interesting.

I wish to be considered for nomination to the Board of Trustees of Lane Scott Electric Cooperative. I am a current customer in good standing of LSEC, and I believe in keeping local business local. Our small-town businesses greatly contribute to the well-being of our communities by providing needed services, providing job and vocational training, and supporting other local businesses and organizations. The Board of Trustees protects LSEC through their long-term vision and their ability to solve problems together. I want to be involved in the life of my community. One of the ways I can do that is to be a member of the LSEC Board of Trustees.

I have many years of experience within my community of Ransom that I bring to the table:

•             Board Member, Grisell Memorial Hospital: 8 years

•             Head of Maintenance, Grisell Memorial Hospital: 1 year

•             Farm Manager, Klitzke Farm: 17 years

•             Parts Manager, Ransom Farmers Coop: 8 years

•             Nevada Township Volunteer Firefighter: 43 years

•             Fire Chief: 20 years

•             Knights of Columbus Member (holding every office): 43 years

This experience has given me the knowledge and appreciation for managing a business or organization to the benefit of all concerned. I appreciate your consideration for nomination to the Board of Trustees of Lane Scott Electric Cooperative.

Hello I'm James Jordan, I'm married to Tammy Jordan.  We have a daughter Monica who is a Junior at Ness City High school. After 34 years of working with the public as the County Executive Director of the Farm Service Agency I would be honored to serve on the Lane Scott Electric Board. My reasoning for wanting to be a Lane-Scott Electric Trustee is to become educated, and to educate patrons about the challenges of Lane Scott Electric in the ever-changing environment.

Education: Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Animal Science, Oklahoma State University

From the use of the Wincharger generators that my grandfather used to power our farm in the 1930’s before rural electrification, to the interconnected electrical grid that allows us to take advantage of technology that he could not have imagined, the need for and benefits of reliable and affordable electricity have never been greater. The challenges for electrical cooperatives to maintain services for their members in our ever-changing world will undoubtedly increase, due to factors including the recruitment and retention of qualified personnel, an aging electric grid system, rapid increases in electric vehicle usage, the continued development of solar and wind power, and increasing government regulation on every level. 

I believe a trustee should represent the needs of the membership and the general public in addition to promo􀀁ng, advancing, and safeguarding the interests of the cooperative. I would appreciate the opportunity to serve Ness and Rush counties in this position.

I have had the privilege of serving as the Western District Trustee for the Kansas Veterinary Medical Association’s Executive Board in 1997-98, as a trustee for Grisell Memorial Hospital in Ransom from 1991-2010 (serving as the President from 2006-2010), and as a member of the Kansas Board of Veterinary Examiners from 2011-2015 (serving as Vice-President in my final year).