This year, three board of director positions and three nominating committee positions are up for election. Below you will find information about each candidate running for the board of directors. The candidate information for the nominating committee will be in the next issue of Powerlines and posted here in May for your review.

The election will open on May 4, 2026, and ballots will be accepted until June 2, 2026. Members can vote for one candidate in each district.

Members with an email address on file should watch for their electronic ballot in their inboxes. Mail-in ballots will be mailed for those without an email address. Additionally, SmartHub users can vote directly through the SmartHub application.

North District

Larry McCurdy, Richmond

Number of years as a member of WWVREMC
21 months

Education

• BS Mechanical Engineering – Purdue
• MS Engineering Project Management – Ohio University 
• Licensed Master Electrician

Employment

• D.R. McCurdy Construction – Family construction business where I learned accountability, hands–on problem-solving, and the importance of completing the projects, efficiently and responsibly.

• Dayton Walther Marvel Division – Did compact refrigeration, design, new model building, test chamber construction and performance testing.

• F-Systems – Did a wide variety of projects, consistent with the paint finishing industry. From paint booth designs, parts washers, paint kitchens, power and free, conveying systems, robotic painting, and parts burn off ovens.

• Union City Body Company – worked in industrial engineering, developing Jigs and Fixtures, assembly line, layout, and requires staging equipment, and supervise maintenance department construction associated with assembly line, fabrication equipment, and cooling.

• Larry McCurdy General Contractor Inc. – Started my own construction company in 2001 as a general contractor focused on customs design, and construction of both residential and commercial projects. This is where I have gained experience in managing budgets, leading teams and taking full responsibility for results. (Current Employment)

• NATCO Credit Union – Worked as Network and Systems Manager for the past 17 years. I focused on technology strategies, data analysis, and long-term planning. I regularly support executive leadership and the board with trend data and decision-support information. (Current Employment)

• Purdue Polytechnic and Ivy Tech -Have taught part-time a wide variety of both construction, electrical and engineering courses for over 20 years for both schools.  This has strengthen my ability to communicate clearly and work with diverse groups.

Leadership and community activities

Through the years I have done many different opportunities, including being a Cub Scout leader working with Boy Scouts, work heavily with my church, as a decon and usher, have been on building committee to major church renovations and additions. Several years I have aided in the construction and design of floats for community events, as well as charitable help with the Hope House in Richmond, Indiana.

Why are you interested in serving another term on Whitewater Valley REMC’s Board of Directors?

As a lifelong resident of Wayne County, this community is home to me. I am committed to serving our membership with thoughtful leadership, careful analysis, and they focus on long term, reliability, and responsible growth. I would be honored to help guide the future of Whitewater Valley, RMC and serve the membership with integrity and sound judgment.

Central District

Garry Sayne, Liberty (Incumbent)

Number of years as a member of WWVREMC

57

Education

Graduated from high school in Union County, taken some I.U. classes, and approximately 40 utility-specific classes. I have also graduated from the National Rural Electric Management Internship Program, Lincoln, Nebraska.

Employment

38^th Infantry, 152^nd mechanized – Army National Guard/Honorable Discharge

25 years utility experience & 12 years on the board of directors.

Over the years I have worked several jobs as a rural electric employee and filled several roles from janitor, warehouseman, member service rep, member service/director of marketing, chief operating officer, shared service employee (Jay County and Wayne County), acting CEO (short period), Indiana Director (I.E.C.) 5 years and Director of Whitewater Valley REMC.

Leadership and community activities

Hannah’s Creek Church and American Legion Post 122, 55-year member.

Why are you interested in serving another term on Whitewater Valley REMC’s Board of Directors?

Each morning, I search for the most up-to-date utility news available. I ask, how can this news affect the customers we serve? Are there opportunities? Are there threats? And I ask questions. I sincerely am seeking knowledge from the generation point, the transmission lines, the substation and our distribution lines right up to your house or your business. But most importantly – I say a prayer. A prayer that all our employees return safely home to their loved ones every day.

Keith Patten, Richmond

Number of years as a member of WWVREMC

I have been a member of WWVREMC for just 1 year.

Education

I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. I have also completed graduate courses in mathematics and obtained my Professional Engineering license in the State of Indiana. During my working career I have attended training in Finance and in Purchasing. 

Employment

My first job as a degreed engineer was with General Motors (gas turbines). I have worked for Indiana Gear (helicopter gearing), Allison Engine Company (gas turbines) and Rolls Royce (gas turbines).

Leadership and community activities

My career followed a traditional path for an engineer by starting as a staff engineer, progressing as a group leader, then Engineering Manager, then a factory Manager. Later in my career I enjoyed being a mentor to new employees and teaching Purchasing/Finance folks about manufacturing and Engineers about finance and negotiations. My community activities started when my kids were young with Scouting Leadership, then progressed into Habitat for Humanity, then Project Angel (Hendricks County food charity). I became a board member and an officer for Project Angel. role After my kids were raised I evolved into a Deacon at my church and also was a Big Brother to two young boys that did not have a positive male model in their lives. I also enjoy volunteering at food pantries and have volunteered at a homeless kitchen as well as holiday meal events for low income families.

Why are you interested in serving on Whitewater Valley REMC’s Board of Directors?

Being new to the area I am always interested in ways I can become embedded in my community and meet my neighbors. If I can engage in mentally stimulating activities about interesting and complex subjects then I think I will age as slowly as possible. I also think it a bit of serendipity that my education and experience as well as my available time and energy would seem to be a perfect match. Lastly, because my home is heated and cooled with geothermal and I get my water from a well I am very motivated to do whatever I can to assure WWVREMC is as reliable and affordable as I possibly can. 

Garrett Walther, Centerville

Education

Graduated from Centerville High School

Graduated from Purdue University with a B.S. in Agricultural Economics

Employment

Co-Owner of Walther Family Farms and works at Matt Walther Farms

Leadership and community activities

I have taken leadership roles at the local, state, and national level. I served as a trustee on the American Junior Simmental Association, the President of the Indiana Junior Simmental Association, and the Vice President of the Indiana Junior Beef Cattle Association. While at Purdue University, I served on the Ag Week Task Force as an Events Chairman.  At a local level, have been actively involved in the 4-H program as well as representing Wayne County in 2022 as a Lilly Endowment Scholar.  Each of these endeavors have taught me one important lesson: The people of each and every organization are the single most important factor due to their uniqueness.

Why are you interested in serving another term on Whitewater Valley REMC’s Board of Directors?

I have served on numerous organizations as a leader and would love to continue serving and leading through the WWVREMC Board of Directors.  I am only 22, however I believe my age difference can be a valuable tool for our membership and board of directors moving forward.  By having board representation by a younger member, I believe that I can increase involvement of younger generations. It is my belief that these factors combined will allow me to serve as a reliable, upstanding director for an organization with such a strong focus on helping its community flourish.

South District

Mark Singer, Brookville (Incumbent)

Number of years as a member of WWVREMC

47

Education

Brookville High School graduate, Credentialed Cooperative Director, Board Leadership, and Director Gold certification through NRECA.

Employment
Farm in the Whitcomb area.

Leadership and community activities

I am a member of the Franklin County Cattleman’s Association and attend the Whitcomb United Methodist Church.
Why are you interested in serving another term on Whitewater Valley REMC’s Board of Directors?

I have truly valued the opportunity to serve the members of Whitewater Valley REMC and contribute to the cooperative’s success. Serving on the Board has been both meaningful and rewarding, and I would be honored to continue giving back and representing the membership for another term.

Kellie Conklin, West Harrison

Number of years as a member of WWVREMC

4 years (since 2022)

Education

Bachelor of Science in Energy Management from West Liberty University and Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Indiana Wesleyan University

Employment

Director, Business Operations, AEP (retiring in May 2026).  37 years of experience in the utility industry across Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, and Tennessee.  Experienced senior leader across areas including energy services, customer operations, budgeting and planning, strategy, training, continuous improvements, planning and analysis, financial forecasting and analysis, performance management, and other business operations areas.  

Leadership and community activities

Currently serve on the Board of Directors of North Dearborn Pantry.  I have a long history of serving communities in roles ranging from non-profit boards to general volunteering serving community organizations such as coaches, sports programs, scout troops, and business groups.  

Why are you interested in serving on Whitewater Valley REMC’s Board of Directors?

I have a strong belief in being an involved member of my community and using my God-given talents for the benefit of my neighbors.  While I have moved throughout my life as required for my career, I now consider this area home.  With my retirement in spring of 2026, I wish to dedicate my experience to my home community and serve the members of WWVA REMC.  Between my experience in corporate roles providing information to the Board of Directors and my non-profit Board Director roles, I have a solid understanding of the responsibilities of Board Directors in terms of stewardship, governance and compliance, strategic oversight, risk management, and always ensuring member focus.