Members gather for 2026 Annual Meeting

KEM Electric Cooperative members and guests gathered in Napoleon for KEM Electric’s 2026 Annual Meeting on June 9. Upon arriving members and guests were welcomed and received an appreciation gift. Before the meeting began attendees enjoyed refreshments as well as visited the operations and safety booth to register for prizes and learn more about KEM Electric. 

KEM Electric Chairman, Victor J. Wald welcomed and thanked everyone for attending the 2026 Annual Meeting. The membership voted to fill the board positions from District 4, District 5 and District At-Large. District 4, Victor Wald from Napoleon; District 5, Brent Stroh from Tappen and District At-Large, Carmen Essig from Lehr were elected by the membership. Additionally, the membership voted to approve the 2025 Annual Meeting Minutes and various by-law amendments.  

Members listened to cooperative updates from Co-General Managers/CEOs Travis Kupper and Jason Bentz and Chief Financial Officer Alex Craigmile. Chief of Staff/Line Superintendent Dale Nagel and Manager of Member Relations Marcy Sanders also provided department and program updates. Susan Wald, Secretary/Treasurer of KEM Electric’s Operation Roundup Board, highlighted the charitable foundations 2025 giving.  

KEM Electric youth programs like Touchstone Energy Student of the Month, Youth Tour and high school scholarships were highlighted. KEM Electric awarded additional scholarships to the Class of 2026. Ben Huber from Linton High School; Peyton Masset from Linton High School; Tucker Vander Vorst from Strasburg High School and Eva Weigel from Napoleon High School were chosen for Luck-of-the-Draw Scholarships. 

After the Annual Meeting, members enjoyed a complimentary meal prepared by Karri Stroh and were awarded door prizes.  

The Board of Directors, co-general managers and staff at KEM Electric want to thank you, our members, for participating in the Annual Meeting of the membership and look forward to meeting member’s electrical service needs in the future.