*Nominating Committee’s top choice for 2025 Board of Director Candidate for this District

Daniel Edward Henke

Reeds Spring

Brief Bio

My name is Daniel Henke, and I have recently retired and relocated from Texas to Reeds Spring with my wife, Lori, to fulfill our retirement dreams. I spent over 35 years in the power engineering and construction industry with Zachry Holdings, a $4.5 billion revenue EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) company, advancing from a design engineer role, to project management, to Vice President and Manager of Projects and ultimately serving as a Senior Vice President and GM Power Business Unit. I have been involved in the engineering, construction, start-up/commissioning, testing and maintenance of gas-fired, coal-fired and renewable power facilities. I have broad engineering, construction, management and financial background in all facets of the Power Industry.

Additionally, my wife and I own two self-storage facilities in Stone County. Managing these businesses, I understand the importance of providing excellent customer service, maintaining a positive relationship with the community, being adaptable to changing market trends and being fiscally responsible. These are all things that are also important to our electric cooperative.

Beyond my professional achievements, I am passionate about serving our local community. I have significant board experience, both elected and appointed, and understand the importance of governance, collaboration and strategic forward thinking to lead to the success of an organization. Additionally, I support local organizations and participate in various charitable initiatives.
My interest in joining the White River Valley Electrical Cooperative is to contribute to its growth, sustainability and overall continued improvement of service to its members.

Experience and Education

• High School Diploma from Amarillo High School
• Associates Degree from Amarillo College
• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Texas Tech University
• Master of Business Administration from West Texas A&M University
• Awards & Honors
  • Amarillo College Marvin McCuan Math Award
  • Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
  • Pi Tau Sigma Mechanical Engineering Honor Society
  • President TTU Chapter
  • Tau Beta PI Honor Society
  • Graduated Magna Cum Laude from TTU
  • TSPE Panhandle Chapter Young Engineer of the Year Award
  • TSPE Panhandle Chapter Engineer of the Year Award
• Community & Board Experience:
  • Amarillo College Board of Regents 2014 – 2021
  • Texas Tech University, Mechanical Engineering Industrial Advisory Board 2000 – 2012
  • St Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church Parish Board 2002 – 2004
  • City of Amarillo Construction Advisory and Appeals Board 2012 – 2019
  • Volunteer coach for youth athletics 2000 – 2008

qualifications

• Daniel has been a member of the Cooperative for 3.5 Years.
• Daniel is not employed by any enterprise that competes with WRVEC.
• Daniel is not related to anyone employed at the Cooperative.
• Daniel brings to the board in addition to his vast knowledge of the Power Industry from his career entirely devoted to it, he also has an MBA with an emphasis in finance; furthermore, he has served on multiple Boards. These skills have allowed him to be a successful business leader, financially astute and a strategic thinker.
• Daniel has not received any campaign contributions.

QUESTIONS & Answers

Explain the Cooperative Difference

The co-op is owned by its members. It is the cooperation of a community of people coming together and working together putting the power of business in their own control to bring electric energy and internet to their homes and businesses.

What are three critical issues you believe the Cooperative should focus on in the next few years?

Reliability of its system…both electric and internet.
Optimizing the build out of the fiber optic system.
Affordability of both products (electric energy and internet).

What interests you most about serving on the board of directors?

Applying my knowledge and experience to help support the cooperative and continue to deliver quality services to our members.

Are you familiar with the elements of the cooperative business model? Please share what you know about the model at this time:

We are member owned and operate on a not-for-profit basis. The business and affairs of the Cooperative shall be managed by a Board of nine (9) Directors. Directors are elected by the membership for the governance, and we are guided by principles of governance as are directed in our bylaws.

What knowledge and expertise would you bring to White River’s Board and the members?

In addition to my vast knowledge of the Power Industry from my career entirely devoted to it, I have a MBA with an emphasis in finance; furthermore, I have served on multiple Boards. These skills have allowed me to be a successful business leader, financially astute and a strategic thinker.

What is most important to the members of your district?

Reliable, affordable electric service.

As a director, how would you promote the co-op in your community and district?

Being as involved as possible in the co-op as well as the community would help me to promote our co-op. This would include effective communication with our members, listening to their concerns and addressing them with the Board and the co-op’s Executive Management.

What makes you the ideal candidate?

Significant recent experience in the electric utility industry, high level Board experience, passion to serve, and time to fully commit make me an ideal candidate.