Please call 1-800-794-1989 or use the SmartHub mobile app. To talk to a person, press zero.
Ballots will be mailed beginning March 30, 2026 and must be returned by April 20, 2026.
Who do I vote for?
The entire FreeState membership will vote for all trustee positions up for election. Candidate information is available in the annual report, in Kansas Country Living, and on the official ballot. Candidate biographical information is printed in the March issue of Kansas Country Living and will be reprinted in the April magazine for your reference. It will also be included with mailed ballots. The candidates have provided the information published.
Who are the candidates?
More information on each candidate can be found below. Click the boxes with each candidate's name to visit their information and learn more about their desire to serve their cooperative and members like you!
Meet the Candidates
Find the name of each candidate in this year's election on the tabs above. Click on each name to read more about what the candidate has submitted for your consideration.
East District - Jeanine Murphy
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East District Candidate
Jeanine Murphy, Leavenworth
Incumbent
Jeanine Murphy is a curriculum director for the USD #449 Easton School District. She has one son and four grandchildren, and is a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church.
Education and Experience
Tell us about your educational background.
-Graduate of the University of Saint Mary, Leavenworth
-Master's Degree from Emporia State University
-National Board Certified Teacher
Do you have any awards or honors to share?
-Board Leadership Certificate (BLC)
-Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate (CCD)
-Director Gold Credential Program (DGC)
What is your community or board experience?
-Elected to the board in 2007
Candidate Q & A
Explain the Cooperative Difference.
The Cooperative Difference refers to the fact that cooperatives are member-owned rather than investor-owned. Decisions are made to benefit the members, not to maximize profits. Any excess revenue is returned to members as capital credits or reinvested into the system.
What are three critical issues that you believe the cooperative should focus on in the next few years?
-Maintaining strong member engagement and local governance
-Workforce recruitment and retention
-Meeting the growing demand for electricity at an affordable cost
What interests you most about serving on the board of trustees?
-The work of the Board of Trustees truly matters, as electric cooperatives ensure rural communities have access to affordable, safe, and reliable electricity
-Commitment to representing my family, neighbors, and community while protecting and strengthening the service members depend on
-Strong appreciation for FreeState’s dedication to community involvement
-Pride in programs such as Sharing Success, Operation Roundup, and other community donations that positively impact members’ lives
-Desire to continue supporting and advancing FreeState’s community-focused efforts as a trustee
What knowledge and expertise would you bring to FreeState's board and members?
-Understanding of cooperative governance and fiduciary responsibilities through BLC, CCD, and DGC training
-Knowledge of financial oversight, strategic planning, and industry trends
-Ability to ask informed, thoughtful questions and make sound decisions
-Commitment to representing members’ interests and cooperative principles
-Focus on maintaining safe, reliable, and affordable electric service while supporting community initiatives
As a trustee, how would you promote the cooperative in your community?
-Be a visible, approachable representative of FreeState within the community
-Share information about the cooperative’s mission, programs, and member benefits
-Listen to member feedback and help address concerns
-Encourage member engagement and participation in cooperative programs
-Promote initiatives such as Operation Roundup, Sharing Success, and community events
-Help build trust, understanding, and pride in cooperative membership
What makes you the ideal trustee?
-Commitment to FreeState’s mission of providing safe, reliable, and affordable electricity
-Deep connection to the community and understanding of member needs
-Strong foundation in cooperative governance through BLC, CCD, and DGC training
-Willingness to listen, ask thoughtful questions, and make informed decisions
-Focus on responsible oversight, long-term planning, and member-first leadership
-Dedication to supporting community programs and cooperative values
East District - Stephen Stephens
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East District Candidate
Stephen Stephens, Oskaloosa
Challenger
Stephen Stephens has retired after a 40+ years with the Farm Credit System, primarily in southwest Kansas. He grew up on a small farm near Oskaloosa and he moved back with his wife of 40 years, Laurie, in 2021. They enjoy five daughters and three grandchildren, and in their free time like traveling, the outdoors and spending time with family and friends.
In addition to FreeState, they are also members of Pride Ag Resources, Alliance Ag & Grain, Heartland Credit Union, the Oskaloosa United Methodist Church, and are retired members of Victory Electric. Stephens' work and educational background includes all aspects of agricultural lending, management and leadership. He has served as a loan officer, chief credit officer, CEO, COO and chief appraiser.
Education and Experience
Tell us about your educational background.
Bachelors in Agriculture Economics - KSU
Master of Agribusiness - KSU
Do you have any awards or honors to share?
Certified General Appraiser, Accredited Rural Appraiser - ASFMRA, Research paper published in the Journal of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, Research paper abstracted in the Journal of Ag Economics
What is your community or board experience?
Current: treasurer of the Oskaloosa Rural Housing Board.
Past: Kansas Cooperative Council Board, Great Plains United Methodist Pensions Board.
Candidate Q&A
Explain the Cooperative Difference.
Cooperatives put market power directly into the hands of users, improving the lives and well-being of members. Member/user interests and stockholder/owner interests are aligned, resulting in better results for all.
What are three critical issues that you believe the cooperative should focus on in the next few years?
Capacity and scale are issues that face all businesses including the cooperative.
Human resources are also critical as finding, hiring, training and retaining good employees is difficult in the best of times and will be critical to future success.
Incorporating AI as a tool as well as a user will be challenging but critical to continued success.
What interests you most about serving on the board of trustees?
I really enjoy learning and problem solving as well as developing and mentoring people. Serving on the board seems to hit all these interests and is an exciting opportunity.
What knowledge and expertise would you bring to FreeState's board and members?
Deep knowledge of financing and real estate, as well as the ability to analyze markets and strategies.
As a trustee, how would you promote the cooperative in your community?
Cooperatives have fed my family and provided power and products my entire life and I strongly believe in and support cooperative principles. I'm willing to bring the cooperative story to the community through community events as well as through representing FreeState to the political and regulatory interests.
What makes you the ideal trustee?
I believe my experience makes me a good candidate and my curiosity will help me to improve with specific experience. I hope to serve the community in this role as a trustee and would appreciate your support.
East District - Dave Layman
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East District Candidate
Dave Layman, Leavenworth
Challenger
Dave Layman was born and in Tulsa, OK, and raised in that area until moving to Kansas to go to college. After college graduation, he worked in the facility supply distribution industry for 30 years, starting in outside sales and progressing into sales management and general management with Spartan Chemical Co., Hillyard, Inc., and Xpedx, a division of International Paper Co. Eight years ago he switched fields and worked for JR&Co, Inc., what is now one of the nation's top 30 largest commercial roofing companies, as their CRO for 5 years. For the last three years he have been the Managing Broker for the Midwest at Commercial Roof Broker's Group.
Dave moved to rural Leavenworth County in 2001 with his wife of 38 years, Beth. They raised 9 children to adulthood there. For more information, visit Dave's LinkedIn address.
Education and Experience
Tell us about your educational background.
High School: Claremore Sequoyah, graduated 1978
College: Baker University, graduated 1982, Bachelor of Science Degree, Business Administration.
Sandler Sales Training 2018
Profitwise: Distribution Financial Training 2011
EOS: Entrepreneurial Operating system Training 2019
Table Group: Team Leadership Training 2025 (In process)
Do you have any awards or honors to share?
Multiple sales, sales management, and General Management awards over the span of my career.
What is your community or board experience?
I served for 15 years on the board of directors for Midwest Parent Educators, a non-profit home school organization with over 1000 member families in the Kansas City Metro.
I served as the board President for 2 years and Secretary for 8.
We are active members at Countryside Church, Olathe, KS
Candidate Q&A
Explain the Cooperative Difference.
As a Co-op we are not driven by investor interests, but rather member needs and economic growth. The money is reinvested in the community to provide the very best electric services to our members. Each board member is a co-op member and lives in the community the Co-op serves.
What are three critical issues that you believe the cooperative should focus on in the next few years?
Without any background in the energy field these "issues" are from a consumer point of view.
1. Future electric demand, capacity and cost
2. Infrastructure
3. Emergency/planned maintenance
What interests you most about serving on the board of trustees?
I have wanted to serve the community in some consistent way for a few years. One of my daughter- in- laws works for an electric co-op in western Kansas. Several months ago, I remember her sharing that working with the Co-op's board has been a great experience and for board members is a good way to be involved with an organization that serves virtually every person in the community. When I saw the notice in the Signal, I responded.
Having lived in the Free State service area and a member for 25 years, this would be a great opportunity to learn the industry and help contribute to the work the board does to serve the members. I also, installed, with Free State's Solar program, an effective 11 KW co-generation system which powers my home and outbuildings. The experience and results have been positive.
What knowledge and expertise would you bring to FreeState's board and members?
My work and board experience is extensive and I work well within teams to contribute and reach the best outcomes for the shareholders/members.
I'm a solid communicator, and bring decades of honed business acumen, working for large corporations, family-owned business and a successful start-up.
As a trustee, how would you promote the cooperative in your community?
I would need to quickly learn how to share the Free State value proposition and benefits to members. I would attend Co-op Events that promote outreach to the community. I would support board initiatives and decisions and communicate, as appropriate, to members. I would provide feedback from members and bring potential ideas or issues to the board that would be helpful.
What makes you the ideal trustee?
I am a positive, high energy, individual with extensive, successful, business and non-profit board experience. I would be committed to learning the nuances of the electric energy industry, FreeState's mission, and helping find and implement the best solutions, with a team of other committed folks--that's what I have done for years and what I enjoy.
West District - Don Montgomery
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East District Candidate
Don Montgomery, Burlingame
Incumbent
Don Montgomery was born and raised on a farm north of Burlingame and attended Burlingame Schools from Kindergarten through 12th grade, graduating from Burlingame High School. He then taught at Burlingame High School for 32 years primarily teaching Vocational Agriculture and phasing into Teaching Computers and being Technology Coordinator for the School District. Montgomery continued farming while teaching. He and his wife continue to farm today.
Education and Experience
Tell us about your educational background.
I graduated from Burlingame High School and then attended Kansas State University receiving a degree in Agricultural Mechanization. While I was teaching I attended classes at Emporia State University and was certified to teach computers.
Do you have any awards or honors to share?
Teacher of the year from the Kansas State Grange in 2006. I received the FFA Legacy Award last spring from the Burlingame FFA Chapter for my years of service to the Burlingame FFA.
What is your community or board experience?
I recently served 6 years as President of the Southeast Kansas Farm Management Association. I have been recently elected to the Frontier District Extension Board. I am a member of the Burlingame Cemetery Board. I served on the Kansas Crop Improvement Association. I served previously on the Osage County Extension Education and Experience Board and also served on The State of Kansas Extension Advisory Board. I served on the Resource Center for Independent Living Board in Osage City. I served on the Burlingame Volunteer Fire Department and spent 12 years on the Burlingame Rescue Squad. I was also a member of the Kansas National Education Association while teaching at Burlingame serving as head negotiator for the teachers a number of years.
Candidate Q & A
Explain the Cooperative Difference.
The Cooperative Difference is that our members own FreeState Electric COOP. They elect a Board of Directors that represent the members in developing standards for the COOP. The management of the COOP carries out these standards. The Board strives to represent the membership in carrying out the business of the COOP. We are a not for profit organization, returning earnings above the cost of providing electric power to the members in the form of Capital Credits.
What are three critical issues that you believe the cooperative should focus on in the next few years?
1. First is power supply. We are due to renegotiate our power contract with Evergy in 2030 and Kepco in 2045. This is of upmost importance. 2. Second is managing our expenses. As the cost of all things we all buy is increasing so are the costs for the COOP. These costs need to be monitored. 3. Thirdly Safety for all members of the COOP staff and our members need to be made a priority as we go through our daily interactions of providing low cost and reliable power to our members.
What interests you most about serving on the board of trustees?
After serving on the Board the last 10 years, I enjoy listening to members concerns and following up with management seeking to solve those problems.
What knowledge and expertise would you bring to FreeState's board and members?
Again after serving on the Kaw Valley and FreeState Boards for 10 years I have had the opportunity to learn a lot about the electric business. I have taken over 40 classes from the National Rural Electric COOP Association (NRECA) and have attained the Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD, Board Leadership (BLC and the Director Gold certification from NRECA.
As a trustee, how would you promote the cooperative in your community?
The main way to promote the cooperative is to be out in the community and be open to listen and talk to members about any issues that arise.
What makes you the ideal trustee?
I have lived and worked in the Burlingame Community my entire life. I would like to think I am approachable by anyone who has a concern. In addition I am not afraid to discuss these issues with management to resolve these issues.
West District - Larry Butel
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West District Candidate
Larry Butel, Overbrook
Incumbent
Larry Butel is a lifelong resident of the area with ancestors arriving in Douglas county in 1856 and Overbrook in 1879. He worked for Cargill, Inc. for a year in Fargo, North Dakota as a grain merchandiser and then returned home in 1989 to form Butel Farm, Inc. with his parents, where he has worked ever since. He married Boni Bonner of Lawrence in 1998 and they have two adult sons. He and Boni operate the row crop and stocker cattle operations for Butel Farms, Inc.
Education and Experience
Tell us about your educational background.
BS in Agriculture, Kansas State, 1987
NRECA Gold level trustee training
Do you have any awards or honors to share?
Rotary Group Study Exchange team member to India, 1997
Kansas Master Farm family, 2024
What is your community or board experience?
Past: Osage County Extension Executive Committee, Farmers COOP of Lawrence vice chair, Farm Service Agency Osage County Committee chair, Cornerstone Family Schools board, Kansas Livestock Assn County Director
Current: Rotary Club of Overbrook past president, Gideons Intl Osage Camp treasurer, Wakarusa Watershed Joint #35 Board Chair, Kansas State Bank of Overbrook Board Chair, FreeState Electric COOP trustee and treasurer
Candidate Q&A
Explain the Cooperative Difference.
The co-op is owned by the member users and managed to benefit and serve them. Trustees elected by the members then hire management for day-to-day operations but still provide direction and oversite of the management team. Margins are returned to the members rather than benefitting outside investors. Members aren’t just an account number they own a piece of every asset used to provide their services.
What are three critical issues that you believe the cooperative should focus on in the next few years?
Assessing power supply options with contract renewals and expanding demands on the horizon.
Adapting the co-op to rapidly changing forces within the electric utility industry. We need to anticipate and plan for changes and opportunities in real time.
Affordability with rising costs of materials, labor, and power will continue to pressure rates that must cover the cost of service with enough margin to revolve capital credits and maintain reliability and safety of the system.
What interests you most about serving on the board of trustees?
Helping to guide the direction of the utility that serves my friends and neighbors is rewarding, and it is also intellectually challenging dealing with issues outside of agriculture.
What knowledge and expertise would you bring to FreeState's board and members?
I have many years of experience dealing with both Kaw Valley Electric and FreeState electric issues. NRECA classes and years of experience help me to understand issues and opportunities and how to proceed.
As a trustee, how would you promote the cooperative in your community?
I’m active in the community and always put in a good word for FreeState as the opportunity arises. A point of contact for neighbors, letters to the editor, watching Facebook area postings, and attending community meetings are all ways that I have promoted FreeState previously.
What makes you the ideal trustee?
I have a working knowledge of the structure and business of FreeState. I’m active and visible in the community and able to bring concerns in from the service area and be an ambassador for FreeState to the broader community.