Candidates for Board of Trustee in District 1 will be elected by members at the Annual Meeting on June 24, 2026 at OSUIT. Every co-op member may vote for a representative for each co-op district. 

A blind ballot draw held on May 21, 2026 determined the order in which candidates appear on the ballot, in the Official Notice, and in this Q&A. All candidates were asked to respond to the same set of questions. These are their responses below, in their own words. 

Craig Alpers

Beggs

Landscaping Owner/Operator, Rancher

• Why are you interested in being a Trustee for East Central Oklahoma Electric Cooperative, Inc.?
  • "I'm interested in serving the members of the community. These members are the communities. The electric cooperatives play a big role with supporting homes, businesses, farms, and ranches for economic growth."
• State any specific knowledge or expertise you bring with you to the Board, including any other governance or policy-making boards or committees on which you've served. 
  • "I would bring problem solving skills and strategic thinking. I believe that I can bring valuable support and decision-making to the community so that the co-op and community grow together. As the owner/operator of a lawn and landscaping company for 25+ years, I have experience scheduling, bidding jobs, and hiring and managing crews. I have been a rancher for seven years, actively involved in the Okmulgee County Cattlemen's Association and serving as the association president for two years."
• Please state your vision for the future of the electric utility industry and ECE's role in the industry.
  • "My vision for the future is to keep ECE working with the best technology to meet the needs of the members. Understanding where and how East Central gets their electric to provide to the community and what it entails to get it here is important. I want to ensure that East Central is continually focused on providing members with education, with an emphasis on communication and transparency."
• Please list any additional community activities or information you would like to share with members?
  • " From the cattle business, where you are raising animals to provide food for the world, to the landscaping business where you are helping an individual care for their home, gratification comes from helping others and providing for others. I want to continue to support the community and to be a listening ear for my neighbors, to lead the cooperative in a direction that helps all members."

Clark Whitaker

Twin Hills

Journeyman Lineman / Retired Business Owner

• Why are you interested in being a Trustee for East Central Oklahoma Electric Cooperative, Inc.?
  • "I am interested because I care about the members and communities it serves. Having worked in line work since 1983, I understand the importance of affordable, dependable service, safety, and decision-making. I want to use my experience to help support the cooperative, represent the members fairly, and make decisions that benefit the future of the communities we serve!"
• State any specific knowledge or expertise you bring with you to the Board, including any other governance or policy-making boards or committees on which you've served. 
  • "I would bring over 40 years of hands-on experience in the electrical utility industry. I have experience working as a journeyman lineman, working for PSO, and as a contractor working with ECE Co-op. I understand the importance of dependable service, safety, and responsible decision-making. I have not formally served on governance or policy-making boards or committees. However, throughout my career I have worked closely with crews, contractors, utility leaders, and customers where responsibility, communication, safety and sound decision-making were important to getting the job done!"
• Please state your vision for the future of the electric utility industry and ECE's role in the industry.
  • "The future of the electric utility industry will focus on reliability, safety, affordability, and improving technology while continuing to meet the needs of customers. As technology changes and demands increase, I believe ECE can invest in dependable electric service, maintain good safety standards, and provide excellent member service. ECE should continue to focus on decisions that protect reliability while planning for future growth with solar, wind, and renewable energy!"
• Please list any additional community activities or information you would like to share with members?
  • " I have spent my career working in the electric industry and understand the value of hard work, integrity, and service to the community. I believe in listening to people, working together, and making thoughtful decisions based on experience and common sense. Outside of work, I have also volunteered for Morris Youth Athletics, coaching and working on facilities. I would be proud to serve the members of ECE and help support its continued success in the future."