WHEATLAND ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Dir. of Member Services & Corporate Comm
- Director of Member Services & Corporate Communications
- Manager of Member Services & Key Accounts
- Manager of Member Services and Corporate Communications
Alli Conine is the Director of Member Services & Corporate Communications at Wheatland Electric Cooperative as of 2022 and served as manager prior to that since 2018. She has been with Wheatland since 2015. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Family Studies and Human Services from Kansas State University. Alli is responsible for all internal and external communications at Wheatland. Alli also coordinates all community and school programs in addition to all membership meetings. Alli recently earned her Certified Key Accounts Executive (CKAE) credentials through NRECA.
Job Titles:
- Director of Human Resources
Barbara is the Director of Human Resources at Wheatland Electric Cooperative, a position she has held since 2017. She has been with Wheatland since 2005. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Organizational Management in Human Resources from Colorado Christian University. Barbara directs all aspects of employment, recruiting, wages and benefits, regulation compliance, organizational development and training functions. She is active in the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) Organization.
Bob Hiss was elected in 2008, shortly after the Aquila acquisition that brought Great Bend (District 6) into our coop family.
Bob is a life long resident of Great Bend where he grew up and operated a dairy farm. He attended Kansas State University where he received his bachelor's degree in agricultural business. In 2003, after nearly 20 years in financial investment and management, Bob went into private practice opening the Hiss-Sherman Wealth Management Group.
Bob and his wife Patty raised their two sons in Great Bend and now enjoy spending time with their four grandsons. In the past, he has been involved as a Scout Master for BSOA, a USD #428 Foundation Board-board member, and has served in a multitude of positions for the First Christian Church.
In his free time Bob enjoys hunting and fishing, attending football games, and is an instrument rated private pilot.
Bruce W. Mueller is the CEO/General Manager, joining Wheatland Electric in 2012. Bruce is responsible for directing the overall operations of Wheatland Electric Cooperative, Inc. Before joining Wheatland, he worked in the electric utility industry at Central Power and Light (now American Electric Power) for 18 years and San Bernard Electric Cooperative for 10 years in executive management roles. He holds a Bachelor's of Business Administration in Finance from Texas State University, a Master's Degree of Business Administration in Management from the University of Houston-Victoria, and is a graduate of Robert I. Kabat Management Internship Program (MIP) offered by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Bruce is on the board of Sunflower Electric Power Corporation, is Chairman of the Kansas Touchstone Energy Executive Council, and is a board member of the National Cooperative Services Corporation (NCSC). Additionally, he is an alternate board member on the Kansas Electric Cooperatives Board. Bruce is also a Certified Energy Procurement Professional.
Job Titles:
- Superintendent, District 6
Job Titles:
- Superintendent, District 7
Dustin Stansbury, a native of Argonia who graduated from Chaparral High School in Anthony, is a small business owner from Harper. Stansbury has owned and operated DLS Underground LLC, with his wife, Lindsey, since 2014. The small business owner employs almost two dozen employees, and the company specializes in the placement of underground utilities in commercial, industrial, and residential areas.
Job Titles:
- Member Services Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Director of Information Technology
Jevin is the Director of Information Technology. Jevin has worked for Wheatland Electric since 1998 and has been in his current role since 2012. He is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the cooperative network and communications, voice and computer systems at Wheatland Electric.
Jim McVay - Chief Legal Officer
Job Titles:
- General Counsel
- Asst. General Manager / Counsel
Jim McVay has been Wheatland Electric Cooperative's General Counsel since January 2018 and was promoted to assistant general manager in January 2022. He received his Bachelor's of Science Degree in Political Science and Juris Doctor, both from Washburn University. Jim served 23 years in the United States Marine Corps. He has been an attorney in Great Bend, Kansas for 30 years. He has tried several hundred bench and jury trials.
In 2016, John Kleysteuber was elected as a Wheatland trustee for District 5. District 5 comprises most of Finney County, eastern Kearny County, and a small portion of northwest Gray County. Growing up in Garden City, John attended Garden City High School, Garden City Community College, and received his bachelor's degree in agribusiness from Kansas State University.
John Sullivan was appointed to the board in 2021 to fill a vacated seat by an outgoing trustee. He represents District 6 in Wheatland's service territory, which encompasses the City of Great Bend and was acquired by our cooperative through the Aquila acquisition in 2007.
John, a native of Logan, KS, is the chief financial officer of the Great Bend Cooperative Association and has lived in Great Bend for 24 years. Prior to that he was a certified public accountant for Lindburg Vogel, where he audited local grain cooperatives. A graduate of Western Illinois University, where he also played college football, John received his bachelor's in business finance. He also holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Wichita State University.
John has served as an ambassador for the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce for 13 years, is currently a member of the Great Bend Optimist Club and past president, has served as treasurer for a local Boy Scouts troop for 12 years, and has also served as a PTA president for a local Great Bend school.
He is married to his wife, Annie, of 33 years, and together they have two children: Erin and Blake. In his spare time John enjoys spending time with his family hiking in the mountains and biking around Barton County enjoying the countryside.
Job Titles:
- Treasurer
- Member of the Wichita County Hospital Board, Wichita County Park
Josh Young is a lifelong resident of western Kansas and represents District 2, comprising mainly of Wichita County.
After graduating from Greeley County High School in 1996, he attended Fort Hays State University before moving back to to Tribune where he worked in his family's feed yard/farming operation. He then moved to Garden City to pursue his career in banking and is currently a senior vice president with Security State Bank. Along with his passion for agricultural finance, he and his wife, Courtney, a native of Garden City, own and operate JCY Inc., a storage unit facility in Leoti.
Young has served as a member of the Wichita County Hospital Board, Wichita County Park and Recreation Board, Wichita County Economic Development and is currently serving his first term as a member of the Wichita County USD 467 Board of Education. He has also served as a volunteer coach for Wichita County Rec. football and basketball for eight years and is a member of the Christ Covenant Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
The Youngs have three sons. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling, coaching, spending time with friends and family, while also attending his children's sporting events.
Job Titles:
- Vice President
- Wheatland Trustee
Katie Eisenhour was elected to the Wheatland Electric Board of Trustees in 2014. She moved to Scott City in 1971 and has lived there ever since. In 1979, the Wheatland Electric Board of Trustees selected Katie for the Youth Tour Program. She attended Leadership Camp in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. She returned the following year to serve as a camp counselor.
Her background in cooperatives began in mid-1980s with her 16 years at Scott Cooperative Association. Katie has also traded commodities, taught as substitute teacher, grain bookkeeper, sales manager, and served as executive director of the Scott City Chamber of Commerce. Since 2009, she has served as an executive director for Scott County Development Committee.
As a Wheatland trustee, Katie has earned distinction as a Credentialed Cooperative Director, attained her Board Leadership Certificate and has earned her Director Gold Certificate. Her community development background and prior knowledge of cooperatives have proven helpful around the board table. Katie also serves as an alternate on the board of the Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc.
Recently widowed from husband Brett of 37 years, Katie's two sons, Blake and Brice, are each married and have given her seven delightful grandchildren. Katie enjoys brisk walks, singing in performance groups or for church, camping and fishing. However, time spent with grandchildren and family, playing cards, and enjoying dinners cooked together tops everything!
Job Titles:
- Area Supervisor, District 2
Job Titles:
- Director of Corp. Services & Water
- Director of Corporate Services & Water at Wheatland Electric
Luke West is the Director of Corporate Services & Water at Wheatland Electric, a position he has held since 2017. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Agribusiness from Kansas State University. He was also a Journeyman Lineman for eight years and was first hired by Wheatland in 2005. Luke oversees all activities of the Water Division (water contracts, farm leases, etc.) and oversees all corporate policies/documents and facilities at Wheatland Electric. Luke is also a Certified Loss Control Professional through NRECA.
District 7 was acquired from the Aquila purchase of 2007 and includes part of several south central Kansas counties: Sumner, Harper, Kingman, and Sedgwick. In 2016, Mark was elected to the Wheatland Board of Trustees.
Mark grew up in north central Oklahoma and has been living in his district since 2004. He earned his bachelor's degree from Oklahoma State University and started working in banking shortly after. Mark has previous electric cooperative trustee experience through Kay Electric Cooperative in Blackwell, OK. Currently, Mark serves as the CEO/CLO for the Stock Exchange Bank of Caldwell.
In addition to his banking career, Mark has spent time serving on the Member-Braman (OK) school board, Kay County Cattleman's Assn. Director from 1997-2000 (president in 2000). Since 2007, Mark has served as the Mayor of Caldwell. Mark also sits on the board of the Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc.
Mark's wife Leslie works at the Caldwell Health Clinic, and they have two daughters. For fun Mark likes to hunt and fish, travel, attend sporting events, and playing golf.
Job Titles:
- Field Supervisor, District 6
Mike Thon was elected in 2017 and represents District 3 in Wheatland's service territory. A mostly rural and agricultural based district, District 3 includes all of Greeley County and the cities of Tribune and Horace, Colorado.
A life-long resident of Tribune, Mike has been the owner and president of Ron's Oil Co Inc. since 1991. Mike has served on several community boards including the Greeley County Board of Education for 12 years, and 16 years on the Board of Supervisors for the Greeley County Commission.
Mike has two children and enjoys attending sporting events in his spare time. His son Drew is currently the Athletic Director at Garden City High School. Some of his other favorite activities include traveling and woodworking.
Job Titles:
- Director of Consumer Services at Wheatland Electric
Pam Brungardt is the Director of Consumer Services at Wheatland Electric, a role she has held since 2017. Pam has been with Wheatland since 2006. She received her Associate Degree in Business and Certificate of Office Technology both from Garden City Community College. Pam directs all aspects of the Consumer Services Department to ensure positive member relationships and management of Wheatland's rates, rules and regulations. Pam is a member of the Kansas Committee for Rural Electrification.
Job Titles:
- Manager of Safety & Compliance
- Manager of Safety and Compliance at Wheatland Electric
Quinten Wheeler is the Manager of Safety and Compliance at Wheatland Electric, a position he's held since 2017. He has been with Wheatland since 2007. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Kansas State University. He is also a Journeyman Lineman. Quinten's role is to ensure that Wheatland Electric Cooperative and it's 140+ employees are safe and compliant. Quinten recently earned his CLCP (Certified Loss Control Professional) certification through NRECA.
Job Titles:
- Area Supervisor, District 3
- Area Supervisor, District 4
Job Titles:
- Executive Assistant
- General Manager
Rhei Thurman is the General Manager's Executive Assistant, a role she's held since 2017. She has been with Wheatland since 2014. She graduated from Wichita County High School. Her responsibilities include planning the agenda for monthly board meetings, planning and coordinating travel accommodations, and coordinating meeting arrangements for the General Manager, Board of Trustees, and Executive Staff.
Job Titles:
- Director of Operations
- Director of Operations at Wheatland Electric
- Superintendent, District 5
Rick Klaus is the Director of Operations at Wheatland Electric, a position he has held since 2018. Rick started with Wheatland in 1982. He received his Associate Degree in Agribusiness from Garden City Community College. Rick is in charge of electrical operations for all seven districts within Wheatland's service territory. He is also a member of the Kansas Line Supervisors Association.
Stacey earned her bachelor's degree from Fort Hays State University and is an NRECA Certified Cooperative Director. She has taught high school business classes and worked as a loan review officer and part of the internal audit team for 13 years at the First National Bank of Hutchinson. In 2005, Stacey moved to Syracuse to take over as the owner and agent of the Midwest Regional Agency featuring Farmers Union Insurance.
Stacey brings with her a wealth of experience from sitting on numerous community boards and internal bank committees. Most recently she was on the Tamarisk Golf Course board and the Hamilton Co. K-State Community Development PDC and Executive Board. She currently serves as the Secretary of the Board for the Hamilton County Chamber of Commerce.
Stacey and her husband Mike have two daughters. In their free time they enjoy attending concerts, golfing, camping, and trail/mountain biking.
Job Titles:
- Director of Finance
- Head of Finance
Our Director of Finance, Traci Goddard, and has been with Wheatland since 2015 when she was hired as the Manager of Accounting.
Born and raised in Dodge City, KS, Traci received her Master of Business Administration in Accounting from Saint Leo University (Florida). She is a Certified Public Accountant, licensed in the state of Kansas.
As head of finance, Traci is responsible for day-to-day financial operations, as well as the administrative, regulatory, and reporting duties of the cooperative.
She is a graduate of the Robert I. Kabat Management Internship Program through NRECA, a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Kansas Society of Certified Public Accountants, and currently serves as president of the Kansas Rural Electric Cooperative Accountants Association.
She is married to her husband Mikey, of more than 12 years, and they have three children: Madison, Amity, and Bane. She enjoys camping with her family, traveling to new destinations, playing games with her kids, and refurbishing old furniture.
Job Titles:
- Area Supervisor, District 1