Candidates for Board of Trustee in District 6 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. 

Jim Hall

Incumbent: 11 years

Nuyaka

Insurance Agent, Rancher

• Why are you interested in being a Trustee for East Central Oklahoma Electric Cooperative, Inc.?
  • "I have devoted a great amount of my time and energy the last 11 years to serving the membership of this organization. I would like the opportunity to continue to put to work the experience and knowledge I have gained. This industry is very complicated and East Central members have already invested in my education, training, and experience. Experience matters and I am ready to continue working on day one."
• 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 have been on the East Central board of directors for 11 years and am proud to be the first board member in our history to obtain the Director Gold status, the highest level of training offered through our national organization. I am also on the Western Farmers Electric Cooperative Board which is one of the entities that we buy power from at East Central. The time I have devoted to these has given me an in-depth understanding of the cooperative electric utility industry. An understanding that takes years to develop. I also own two businesses and employ 8 people in those two companies so I understand how to lead organizations and how to make them successful. I've always believed deeply in serving the community that raised you and where you do business. I have served on the following boards: East Central Electric, Western Farmers Electric Cooperative, National Rural Electric Directors Advisory Council, Okmulgee Chamber of Commerce, Okmulgee County Free Fair Board, Okmulgee Area Development Corporation, Stonebridge Academy (now The Academy of Okmulgee), Okmulgee Education Foundation, and Nuyaka Baptist Church Finance Committee."
• Please state your vision for the future of the electric utility industry and ECE's role in the industry.
  • "The electric utility industry is always changing. from power generation issues to legislative pressures. Currently the biggest issue is lack of electric generation nationwide. Organic growth, regulatory requirements, retirement of fossil fuel generators, and the AI revolution are all factors that have maxed out the current available supply. Building new generation is at never before seen costs and extended timelines. New and innovative forms of electric generation may be on the horizon, but for the next 10-20 years most new generation will be natural gas. What does this mean for East Central members? Being a distribution co-op we are limited to what we can control at the generation level, but thankfully co-ops work as a not-for-profit. We can work to keep all other expenses in check and help members to use electricity more efficiently."
• Please list any additional community activities or information you would like to share with members?
  • "I have always been an advocate for rural Oklahoma, it's where I am from. I still live on the same farm that I grew up on and am also a second generation East Central member. The rural electric cooperative story inspired me to get on the board 11 years ago. I worked diligently to put our members first ever since. I did not retire and decide I had some extra time, I joined the board at the age of 41 and still run 2 other businesses and devote time to my family and church. I have invested the time to educate myself to become an asset to this cooperative and just want the opportunity to continue that work. I am passionate about my current position on the board and have always been available to any member at any time."

Steve Emerson

Checotah

Retired Construction Instructor / Director

• Why are you interested in being a Trustee for East Central Oklahoma Electric Cooperative, Inc.?
  • "After nearly four decades of public service as a Construction Trades Instructor and nine years as a school board member for Checotah Public Schools, I believe I have the leadership experience, financial oversight background, and genuine commitment to community that this role demands. I will be retiring on June 6th, and I am eager to direct that energy toward serving the members of East Central Electric. My family and I have been members in District 6 for 45 years — this cooperative is part of our community, and I want to give back to it."
• 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 bring a diverse and directly relevant background to this position. As the Tribal Construction Director of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation for 5.5 years, I was responsible for contractor selection, pay application review, budget oversight, and coordination with architects, engineers, and contractors of large-scale projects. As a Construction Trades Instructor for 37 years, I was entrusted with the education and development of the next generation of skilled tradespeople — a responsibility I have never taken lightly. Currently serving as Vice President of the Checotah Public Schools Board of Education, I understand governance, policy, and fiduciary duty. These experiences have shaped my ability to ask the right questions, make sound decisions, and remain accountable to the people I serve."
• Please state your vision for the future of the electric utility industry and ECE's role in the industry.
  • "My primary goal is to be a faithful steward of the members' trust and resources. I want to ensure that East Central Electric continues to deliver reliable, affordable service while maintaining strong fiscal responsibility. I am committed to transparency, honest communication, and representing the needs of District 6 members with integrity. I am also willing to pursue any additional training necessary to deepen my understanding of cooperative operations and utility governance — because serving well means continuing to learn."
• Please list any additional community activities or information you would like to share with members?
  • "I have been married to my wife for 45 years, and together we have raised three children and have six grandchildren — with a great-grandchild on the way. I am deeply rooted in this community. Throughout my career, those who know me will attest that I lead with honesty and transparency. I give God the glory for the blessings in my life, and I believe those blessings carry with them a responsibility to serve others. I am proud to call District 6 home, and I would be honored to represent its members on this board."