Who’s on the Ballot?

One of the most unique benefits of being a member of Pioneer — or any cooperative — is your ability to democratically elect fellow members to represent you on the Pioneer boards. All of the candidates, both for trustee and county board positions, are consumer-members of Pioneer Electric and your community. They are concerned with the issues you face every day because they face them as well.
Board election packets are now being mailed out to all members earlier than planned, on Tuesday, Feb. 4, to accommodate for mail delays we are experiencing within the postal system. As in the past, there are three options for voting, by mail, online, or through your SmartHub app or account. Members voting by mail are encouraged to vote early or consider voting online or through SmartHub to ensure their vote is received. Voting must be completed no later than Friday, March 14.
Don’t forget to register for the 2025 Annual Meeting of Members!
Check out a full listing of Pioneer members who are running for board positions in 2025:
Board of Trustees
Champaign County
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Mark BaileyGeo Area: 3 | UrbanaStatement: “I’d like to use my career work experience to give back to |
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Jason CastoGeo Area: 2 | UrbanaStatement: “I see this as a great opportunity to serve my community and its people.” |
Miami County
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Colleen EidemillerGeo Area: 6 | TroyStatement: “I have been serving on the board for 18 years, I like being |
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Charles ElliottGeo Area: 6 | TroyStatement: “My years in the residential and commercial land entitlement industry would be an asset to Pioneer’s Board.” |
Shelby County
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John GoettemoellerGeo Area: 11 | BotkinsStatement: “Having spent my entire life working in some facet of the electrical industry, I have developed a keen interest in the utility industry. This exposure has made me aware of many of the challenges faced by our cooperative. The six years I have served on the Pioneer Board have even further broadened my understanding of the issues facing all cooperatives today. Having developed a more thorough understanding of the function and processes of Pioneer I feel I can be of value in the decision making process.” |
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Thomas WyenGeo Area: 11 | AnnaStatement: “As a board member, I believe all energy options should be explored, including Small Modular Nuclear Reactors, which are smaller and simpler than traditional reactors, though likely feasible only with a group of co-ops. Hydrogen is another option, especially when paired with solar or wind, allowing excess energy to be stored rather than wasted—an approach already used in Denmark. We must also prioritize system and personnel maintenance. Additionally, with AES’s new distribution rates, it may be time to consider whether co-ops should pursue independent distribution with other co-ops for greater autonomy.” |
Pioneer Champaign County Board Candidates
Geographical Area 1
- Gary Clark, DeGraff
- William Tullis, Urbana
Geographical Area 2
- Daniel Beasley, Saint Paris
- Tony Randall, Urbana
Geographical Area 3
- Wade Bahan, Cable
- Keith Perdue, Cable
Geographical Area 4
- Brad Lutz, London
- John Sipes, Zanesfield
Pioneer Miami County Board Candidates
Geographical Area 5
- John Probst, Piqua
- Eric Simmons, Troy
Geographical Area 6
- Kimberly Cope, Tipp City
- Donald Rhoades, Tipp City
Geographical Area 7
- Grant Davis, Casstown
- Robert Zimmerman, Casstown
Geographical Area 8
- John Berbach, Tipp City
- Marinus “Ben” Bosma, Tipp City
Pioneer Shelby County Board Candidates
Geographical Area 9
- Jennifer Henke, Fort Loramie
- Bernard Zircher, Fort Loramie
Geographical Area 10
- Dennis Grandey, Sidney
- Terrence Householder, Anna
Geographical Area 11
- Ronald Albers, Anna
- Steven Elsass, Anna
Geographical Area 12
- Randy Caudill, Sidney
- Ryan Spicer, Conover