I have lived all my life on co-op lines, on the family farm that my parents bought in 1949. I have worked for Knouse Foods Cooperative for over 50 years in the information technology department. I am a computer programmer/ analyst who has written and installed large systems, and I have integrated other systems into “off the shelf” enterprise computer systems.  My specialty in recent years has been in the connecting of our systems to the computer systems of our customers and vendors using ANSI standard transaction sets for such activities as order processing, invoicing and warehousing movements.

I am a life member of the Heidlersburg Fire Company and have held numerous offices within this organization over the years. While I’m not currently involved in active fire activities, I still help with numerous fundraising activities such as the annual carnival, Apple Harvest food truck, and our yearly beef and oyster public dinners. I also served on the district board and executive committee of the Southern Pa. District of the Church of the Brethren.

I am in my second term as director and before that served a 3-year term on the scholarship committee. I regularly attend the district meetings and annual business meetings and keep up with news by reading Penn Lines.

All of the experiences listed above should give me a good foundation of understanding business and especially cooperative business. I also am a person who asks questions and thinks independently and am not afraid to voice my opinion even when in the minority. During my first term as director, I have completed 18 courses on electric co-op workings and have earned the Credentialed Cooperative Director certification, Board Leadership Certificate and Director Gold Certificate from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

Maintaining electricity reliability at reasonable cost is always top priority. Alternative generation of electric (solar, wind, & battery backup) and how to price these so that all parties are treated fairly is not easy. Electric vehicles are going to cause changes to our power cost and distribution -- when and by how much is still quite uncertain, but inevitable.

Now mostly retired, I still have a lot of valuable skills and insights and think that I am representative of thinking in Zone 2. If I can be of help to the Adams Electric Cooperative and especially to the members living in Zone 2, I would be honored to serve a second term as director.

I have lived all my life on the family farm that my parents bought in 1949. I attended Penn State and then worked on the family farm for a few years and then went to work at Knouse Foods Cooperative. I have worked there for over 50 years in the information technology department as a computer programmer/analyst. As a life member of the Heidlersburg Fire Company, I have served our community in many ways. I have served on the district board and executive committee of the Southern Pa. District of the Church of the Brethren. My knowledge of business and technology and of our community should help me to be a valuable member of the board of directors of Adams Electric Cooperative.