*Nominating Committee’s top choice for 2026 Board of Director Candidate for this District

jeffrey hyatt

Sparta

Brief Bio

I have been a resident of Christian County for most of my life, attending Sparta Schools and graduating from Ozark High School in 1986. I earned degrees from the College of the Ozarks, Missouri State University, and Lindenwood University. My spouse, Shelby, and I live on the family farm homesteaded by my grandparents in 1938, and we have been proud White River Valley Electric Cooperative (WRVEC) members for 28 years.

I am honored to have served WRVEC as a director for the past 10 years, including time as both Board President and Vice President. My professional career spans 38 years of public service in education, administration, and leadership roles, providing a strong foundation in budgeting and financial oversight. I bring that experience to the cooperative boardroom and remain committed to maintaining a balanced budget, controlling incremental costs, and ensuring members receive reliable and affordable electric service.

Serving as a director has deepened my understanding of the complex and ever changing electric cooperative industry. I have completed more than 200 hours of cooperative education and training to better serve our membership. I maintain active communication with state legislators to ensure our members’ voices are heard, and I currently serve on the KAMO Board of Directors as the WRVEC trustee, helping ensure our cooperative has a strong voice at the electric transmission level. I also serve as Chair of the WRVEC Finance and Equity Committee and am proud to have supported the return of more than $30 million in capital credits to members over the past 10 years.

It has been a privilege to serve the WRVEC membership, and I would be honored to continue working on your behalf to deliver safe, reliable, and affordable power.

Experience and Education

• High School Diploma from Ozark High School
• Bachelor’s Degree in K-12 Education from College of the Ozarks
• Master of Educational Administration from Missouri State University
• PhD in Educational Leadership from Lindenwood University
• Awards & Honors:
  • Southwest Missouri Association of School Administrators New Superintendent of the Year 2005
  • Missouri School Board Association Outstanding Board of the Year 2012, Nomination
  • Missouri School Distinction in Performance Award, 12 years
• Community & Board Experience:
  • White River Valley Electric Cooperative Board of Director, 2016 – Present
  • KAMO Transmission Board of Trustee, 2023 – Present
  • Sparta Community Development Committee Member, 2003-2017
  • Public School Educator 29 years, Retired 2020
  • Missouri State High School Activities Association Liaison Committee, 2009-2020
  • Driver’s Education Instructor, 1991 – Present

qualifications

Jeff has been a member of the Cooperative for 28 years, is not employed by any enterprise that competes with WRVEC, and is not related to anyone employed at the Cooperative. He offers more than 38 years of public service experience as an educator, administrator, and board of director, including three years of service on the KAMO Transmission Board representing WRVEC members and over 27 years of auditing experience with both school district and WRVEC budgets. Jeff has not received any campaign contributions.

QUESTIONS & Answers

Explain the Cooperative Difference

Electric cooperatives are member‑driven and community‑focused organizations. Their primary mission is to provide safe, reliable, and affordable power to the membership. Electric cooperatives are nonprofit, member‑owned utilities governed by a board of directors elected by the members they serve.

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

1. Regulatory uncertainty affecting power supply and long‑term resource planning as large‑load demands, including data centers, continue to grow.
2. Maintaining and expanding the WRVEC electric system amid ongoing supply‑chain constraints.
3. Expanding broadband access to underserved communities across our five‑county service area.

Please share how often you have attended the Cooperative’s Annual Meeting, district membership appreciation days, and other Cooperative sponsored events and what you found most impactful about those experiences:

I have consistently attended the Cooperative’s Annual Meeting for more than 20 years, including the past 10 years as a director, and have participated in all member appreciation events since their inception. These membership engagements allow me to listen directly to members and bring their feedback into the boardroom.

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

I want to continue serving as a board director, using my education and experience to support thoughtful discussion and sound decision‑making in the best interest of the membership. I am proud to help advance our electrical system and expand broadband access in underserved communities.

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

The electric cooperative business model is a three‑tiered system consisting of generation, transmission, and distribution cooperatives. Generation cooperatives produce or purchase power and deliver it to transmission cooperatives, which then transport electricity to local distribution cooperatives for delivery to their member‑owners.

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

I have completed more than 200 hours of cooperative education and earned Gold Level certification. This advanced training has strengthened my understanding of the cooperative industry and better prepared me to address the challenges our cooperative will face in the future.

What is most important to the members of your district?

When I speak with members in my district, affordability remains the top concern. At the same time, there is growing excitement about WRVEC’s expansion of broadband internet in rural Christian County. Given WRVEC’s record of delivering reliable electric service, I’m confident our broadband services will meet that same high standard.

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

I promote the cooperative by maintaining a visible presence at community and civic events, engaging members through responsible use of social media, and leveraging long‑standing relationships throughout my district. These connections allow me to share WRVEC’s mission, listen to member feedback, and strengthen trust within the communities we serve.

What makes you the ideal candidate?

I bring deep community roots, proven financial and governance experience, extensive cooperative education, and a strong commitment to member engagement. I have built trust with employees, members, and the management team through transparency, accountability, and leadership focused on delivering safe, reliable, and affordable power.