Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (KEC) announces that three Wheatland Electric Cooperative, Inc., (WEC) employees are among the graduates of the HIGH IMPACT LEADERSHIP ACADEMY (HILA), a comprehensive, results-driven program designed to develop leadership skills among frontline supervisors, managers and executives.
Participants engaged in dynamic group exercises, case studies, and leadership assessments tailored specifically for electric cooperatives across the state.
The following WEC staff members participated in this second KEC HILA cohort and graduated during a Sept. 24 ceremony in Wichita, having successfully completed weekly sessions between May and September: JIM MCVAY, assistant general manager and general counsel; DAX WALK, district manager; and KYLE STRICKERT, manager of substations and metering.
These sessions were designed to deliver hands-on, practical training rooted in real-world challenges. As District 6 Manager, Walk oversees operations throughout WEC District 6, which encompasses Great Bend, WEC’s most densely populated service area.
“Participating in HILA gave me the opportunity to step back and think critically about how I approach leadership,” Walk said. “The program challenged me to strengthen my decision-making and taught me new ways to inspire trust and accountability across my team.”
Strickert also reflected on the experience.
“HILA pushed me outside of my comfort zone,” he said. “The program gave me practical tools I can use every day — not only to manage my responsibilities more effectively, but also to help mentor and develop others on my team.”
A team of highly experienced instructors with military leadership backgrounds leads the HILA program, ensuring a disciplined and results-driven approach.
McVay, who serves on WEC’s executive staff, emphasized the broader impact of the program.
“One of the biggest benefits of HILA is the way it prepares cooperative leaders to face tomorrow’s challenges head-on,” he said. “At Wheatland, we’re committed to developing leaders who can think strategically, act with integrity, and serve our members with excellence.”
KEC is a statewide Kansas service organization serving 26 electric distribution cooperatives and three generation and transmission cooperatives. Headquartered in Topeka, KEC represents the interests of and provides needed services and programs to electric cooperatives that serve member-consumers within the state. The state association functions for the mutual benefit of its members, promoting rural electrification and fostering the principles on which electric cooperatives were founded.
As a member-owned distribution cooperative, WEC is proud to invest in leadership development that strengthens not only our team but also the communities we serve.
By preparing future leaders through programs like HILA, WEC ensures we remain true to our mission of delivering safe, reliable and cost-effective electricity while supporting the growth and vitality of our service territory.
