Powered By You, Our Members

Unlike investor-owned utilities that answer to shareholders, electric cooperatives like ours are built to serve the people and communities we power. Our MEMBERS help shape our priorities, elect local trustees to represent their interests and share in the success of the cooperative. But being a cooperative means more than having a different business model. It means being connected to the communities we serve.

Across WEC’s SEVEN DISTRICTS, our members are our neighbors, friends, local business owners, farmers, educators and community leaders. We live and work alongside you, and that local connection helps guide how we serve — from providing safe, reliable, and competitively priced electricity and returning capital credits to supporting local organizations, investing in youth and education, and finding new ways to meet the evolving needs of our communities.

While our service territory stretches across southwest and central Kansas communities with different needs, histories and priorities, one thing connects us all: WEC belongs to the members we serve, members like you.

That’s why, in celebration of NATIONAL CO-OP MONTH this October, we wanted you to hear directly from some of them. 

We’re highlighting one member from each of our districts and asking them to share, what cooperative membership and their experiences with WEC mean to them.
Their stories are different — and that’s exactly the point. There is no single experience that defines our cooperative. Instead, WEC is shaped by thousands of members — nearly 20,000 — across the communities we call home.

For us, National Cooperative Month is an opportunity to celebrate those connections and remember what has always made cooperatives special: when we work together, we make our communities stronger.

That’s the COOPERATIVE DIFFERENCE — and it’s something worth celebrating!

DISTRICT 1 | DENISE DREILING, SCOTT CITY

“To me, being a member of Wheatland means more than simply having electricity. It means being part of a cooperative that truly cares about and invests in the communities it serves. I’ve seen that commitment firsthand through the support Golden Rule Preschool has received from the Sharing Success Fund. These grants have helped us purchase 
resources our students use every day and given them more opportunities to learn through hands-on experiences and play. Having Wheatland see the value in our community and invest in our children means so much to us!”

DISTRICT 2 | JERAD GOOCH, LEOTI 

“Being a Wheatland member means belonging to a cooperative that understands and supports small-business owners and families in rural Kansas. As a grocery store owner, I value the reliability and local focus — Wheatland feels like a partner rather than a distant utility. When storms and outages happen, their crews work hard to restore power quickly so businesses like ours can reopen and families can get back to normal. I also value knowing Wheatland employees personally. We see each other in the store, coach each other’s kids and raise our families here. Wheatland is part of the same community fabric we are.”

DISTRICT 3 | CHRISTY HOPKINS, TRIBUNE

“Wheatland keeps our community’s needs at the forefront. The men and women who work at Wheatland are our friends and neighbors, and whether they’re responding to an outage, venturing into a storm to restore power, helping hang our community’s Christmas lights, or supporting our local food pantry, they’re always eager 
to lend a hand. I value knowing our local cooperative is focused on serving this region and providing value for its member-owners. We’re all working together for the good of western Kansas and the people and businesses who call this place home.”

DISTRICT 4 | MICHELE BOY, SYRACUSE

“Wheatland feels more like a family to me. They’re engaged with their members and our community, and when there’s an outage, they’re quick to communicate, jump into action and respond. I see their crews working in and around our community, testing and replacing poles, and they’re always professional and courteous. I also enjoy seeing Wheatland represented at community events, whether it’s participating in the parade or serving hot cocoa and cookies at Christmas. They’re not just our electric cooperative — they’re part of our community.”

DISTRICT 5 | ANDY FAHRMEIER, FINNEY COUNTY

“Wheatland treats its members as more than just customers. The relationship isn’t simply transactional — they go above and beyond to truly serve people and communities. I’ve seen that firsthand through programs like Power the Pantry, which addresses a real need in our community, and through Wheatland’s scholarship program. Two of my daughters have received Wheatland’s academic scholarships, and that support has made a meaningful impact to our family. To me, Wheatland is a cooperative that genuinely invests in the people and communities it serves.”

DISTRICT 6 | KRISTA SMITH, GREAT BEND 

“I appreciate being an owner in my electric company because I feel Wheatland has my best interests at heart. I especially value the annual meeting and the opportunity it gives members to stay informed. Wheatland also gives back to our community in so many ways. As a food bank volunteer, I’ve seen firsthand what a difference 
Power the Pantry makes, and I appreciate the scholarships and opportunities they provide to our youth. On top of that, the customer service in Great Bend is top-notch — everyone is always friendly and helpful!” 

DISTRICT 7 | RICK DOLLEY, ARGONIA 

“Being a Wheatland member makes me feel like we have a voice — that we’re truly listened to and kept informed about what’s happening and what’s ahead. I value being part of a positive, growing cooperative that truly cares about the communities it serves. As mayor of Argonia, I’ve seen how Wheatland’s employees work with our city staff, 
always with a positive attitude and a willingness to go the extra mile. Wheatland doesn’t just look at today; they’re continually improving and looking toward the future. The service you receive from Wheatland and its employees is truly world class.”