District Meetings
Filing period opens Jan. 2nd and closes Jan. 31st, 2025.
Districts up for election in 2025 - Two, Four and Six.
Meeting dates and locations:
Feb. 26th, Quinlan Methodist Church - District 6 - Unopposed Director: Jeff McIntosh
Feb. 27th, Sharon United Methodist Church - District 4 - Unopposed Director: John Bruce, Jr.
March 4th, Woodward First Christian Church - District 2 - Director Candidates: Brian Cook, Lindsey Craighead - Learn more about the candidates below!
All Meetings: Meal at 6 p.m., Business Meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Contact Robyn Medina at 580-256-7425 to learn more, or check out our latest newsletters for details.
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What are district meetings?
District meetings are usually small gatherings hosted in a central location within each district, where members from that district meet with one another and co-op staff to discuss the business of the co-op and to elect a representative who will serve on the NWEC board of directors.
Each year NWEC hosts three district meetings. This is because our service territory is split into nine districts, each with a representative who serves a three-year term on the board of directors for NWEC. These board members are democratically chosen to serve on the board by a vote of the members in the trustee candidate's respective district. This year, the districts up for election are districts two, four and six.
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Who attends?
In short, members of Northwestern Electric of course! In 2025, it will be members from districts two, four and six. If you are unsure of which district you live in, you can check your billing statement, or give us a call! If you live within the district and are not a voting member, please feel free to still stop by and receive your update from the cooperative hand out. If you are unsure if you are considered a voting member, check out our guidelines below.
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Why attend?
Having a voice in who makes the major decisions that directly affect your life and your family is a right we all share. Less common, is the right to vote for those who will represent your community’s interests within your local electric utility. As a member of Northwestern Electric Cooperative, you have that right, so why not exercise it?
NWEC is not owned by far away investors, and it is not run by an appointed board of directors. We are run by a democratically elected board of directors - a board who is given the privilege to serve because of your vote. Our directors are members of your community. They are concerned with the issues you face every day because they face them as well.
Resources
*Note: The Certificate of Eligibility DOES NOT have to be filled out and brought by all members.
The Certificate of Eligibility must be properly filled out and brought to the meeting by the designated representative ONLY IF planning to vote on behalf of a business enterprise, sole proprietorship, partnership, or a bona fide public organization governed by official bylaws and a set of elected officers. MEMBERS MAY ONLY HAVE ONE VOTE. Regardless of the number of accounts or business accounts in their name. Thus, if they plan to have someone register and/or vote on behalf of a business they must have a separate person present and listed on the certificate of eligibility to do so.
Map of Board Districts.
2025 Elections:
Vacant - District two
John Bruce, Jr. - District four
Jeff McIntosh - District six
Meet Your District Two Director Candidates
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Brian Cook
Brian and his wife Carriann have been married for 27 years and reside just one mile south of Woodward. The pair have 3 daughters and their family has lived in Woodward since 2000. Brian actually grew up in Laverne, while Carriann was born and raised here in Woodward.
“My main reason for running for the NWEC Board of Trustees is to contribute to the long-term success and sustainability of our cooperative by ensuring reliable, affordable energy for our community. With my background in real estate and business leadership, I understand the importance of strategic planning, infrastructure investment, and member-focused policies that support both residential and commercial growth.”
He is currently the owner and manager of Advanced Real Estate Advisors here in Woodward and gives his time to many local boards and associations as well. These include the Northwest Crisis Pregnancy Center Board of Directors, High Plains Homeless Shelter Board of Directors, Economic Vitality Chair for Woodward Main Street, Building and Facilities Chair and Leadership Team at Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church, and Member of Northwest Oklahoma Association of realtors – having held various positions on the MLS Executive Board and Board of Directors.
“I would like to serve on the board for the next three years – and potentially beyond – because I believe in the cooperative model and its role in fostering economic development, embracing new technologies, and maintaining high service standards. I am committed to representing the interests of NWEC members, advocating for smart energy solutions, keeping costs and rates down and helping navigate industry changes that impact our region.
Serving on the board allows me the opportunity to collaborate with other leaders, make informed decisions that benefit our members, and contribute to a future-focused energy strategy that strengthens our communities. I look forward to engaging with members, learning from industry experts, and ensuring that NWEC continues to provide exceptional service and innovation.
I’m excited to collaborate and learn more about our cooperative and how it can better serve the community.”
Educational Background: “I graduated high school in Laverne Oklahoma, then received bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and Natural Science from Northwestern Oklahoma State University.”
More fun details: “My wonderful wife Carriann is an English teacher at Fargo-Gage high school and we have 3 amazing daughters. Ashlynn is a graduate of Wichita State University and is currently managing and marketing at the AVI Seabar & Chophouse in Wichita, KS along with her many other entrepreneurial endeavors – Woodward Firework, Kick Ash Designs, marketing and design work for different businesses. Hallie has finished her flight school in Georgetown, TX, as a certified flight instructor working on the next steps to a career in aviation. Cecily is my youngest and is a freshman cheerleader at Fargo-Gage High School. She is the manager of Sno Big Deal snow cone stand on 13th street during her summer breaks.”
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Lindsey Craighead
Lindsey and her son Caisen reside just south of Woodward on the very ranch she grew up on. Her son Talbot is currently a sophomore at Oklahoma State University. Lindsey has lived on the Craighead ranch nearly all 47 years of her life, and in 2012 she built a home just a quarter mile away from her childhood home.
She has been an accountant for 24 years with experience in the oil and gas, farming, retail, and housing industries. She also has skills in payroll and auditing. This has helped her understand financial statements and how to evaluate the effects of an evolving environment.
Lindsey also serves on the First Christian Church Christian Education committee and Nominating committee. Additionally acting as a deacon, youth group sponsor and is part of the church praise band. She enjoys volunteering with Vacation Bible School, the Woodward Community Kitchen (Soup Kitchen) and she’s the Vice President of the Boomer Homerun Club.
“Northwestern Electric Cooperative, its board and employees, have played a pivotal part in the development of Northwest Oklahoma. It’s important to have a representative that listens to the members and organizes action to better the direction and overall effectiveness of the cooperative. It would be a great honor to represent the members of District two. Our district has been fortunate to have great leadership, and the members deserve to have that same level of commitment endure. Over the next three years and beyond, I am dedicated to advocating for members, promoting innovations, and fostering community engagement. I am ready to work hard, listen actively, and collaborate with fellow trustees and members to achieve our goals.
I’m excited to get the opportunity to serve my community while expanding my knowledge of the electric industry. And I am mostly looking forward to meeting the members, listening and learning how I can be the best representative for District two.
I understand the significant responsibilities that come with this position. I’m ready to dedicate my time and effort to be a valuable asset for both the members and the board.”
Educational Background: “I am a Sharon-Mutual High School alumni. I studied Finance at Southwestern Oklahoma State University before earning a Bachelor of Science in Business from Oklahoma City University.”
More Fun Details: “I am the blessed mom of two smart and talented boys. Talbot, a sophomore at Oklahoma State University (Go Pokes!), is studying Electrical Engineering. Caisen, is a sophomore at Woodward High School where he excels in all subjects, baseball and golf. The three of us enjoy traveling, going to OSU football games, and golf.”