A Path of Leadership: From County Board to Board of Trustees
For Bill Clark, Pioneer Board Trustee, the path to leadership began with curiosity and a desire to better understand how the cooperative worked. Initially unfamiliar with the cooperative model, Bill took the first step of joining his Pioneer county board — an experience that would eventually pave the way to a seat on the Board of Trustees.
“I wanted to learn more about how a co-op worked,” Bill says. “I didn’t really understand it because we always had DP&L, now AES, at home and just paid the bill. I thought I just signed the form when I moved into the area and paid the bill — I had no idea about the various incentive programs or capital credits.”
The county nominating boards, a grassroots component of Pioneer Electric’s governance, serve as local liaisons between the membership and the cooperative. County board members meet three times a year to bring forth member concerns, learn about cooperative operations, and nominate other members to be placed on the annual election ballot.
“If there was an issue or concern in my area of the territory, I could bring it up during the county board meeting and know that it would be followed up on,” Bill says. “I enjoyed becoming a ‘voice for the co-op.’ I could explain things to my neighbors and friends when questions would arise.”
Over time, the experience on the county board led to a deeper interest in the broader operations of Pioneer Electric. “When I gained an understanding of the co-op and participated on the county board, I wanted to become more involved and learn more about power generation, safety protocols, and power distribution,” Bill says. “I hoped my life and work experiences could be of use on the board of trustees.”
Unlike the county boards, the board of trustees holds a higher level of oversight, making key decisions about the cooperative’s direction, finances, and strategic priorities. Though newer to the trustee role, Bill already sees the value in it.
“I have the understanding that my input counts,” Bill says. “There is a significant amount of information sharing that occurs during our meetings.”
Looking back, Bill believes the transition from county board to trustee was both logical and invaluable.
“Absolutely!” was Bill’s response when asked if his county board experience was a good stepping stone.
“As a county board member, I gained an overall understanding of how the co-op worked and its structure. I gained a better understanding of what goes on ‘behind the curtain’ — such as the switches that occur during power outages to keep the lights on.”
Bill emphasizes that whether serving on a board or simply voting, member involvement is critical.
“Voting is an opportunity to select individuals who will represent you as members in your community,” Bill says. “Even if you don’t submit your name for nomination, your voice still matters.”
For those considering a run for either board, he offered this advice:
“You need to consider what’s best for the community as a whole. The co-op needs to stay relevant with its membership while being financially responsible. If a member would like to be on one of Pioneer’s boards, they need to be able to remove the ‘me hat’ and put on the ‘us hat.’”
Apply for a board position today!
