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

Lyle eugene rowland

Incumbent Director | Cedar Creek

Brief Bio

Lyle is a graduate of Forsyth High School, University of Missouri-Columbia and Missouri State University. He holds a BS, MEd (Agriculture Education), and a Specialist in Educational Administration. He taught Vocational Agriculture for 11 years and was Principal\Superintendent for 20 years at Taneyville.

He is the recipient of the FFA Blue and Gold Award, Outstanding Rural Administrator, Missouri K-8 School Superintendent of the Year and MASA Outstanding Emeritus Educator award.

Lyle is a member of the Taneyville New Beginnings Church, NRA, Missouri Farm Bureau, and Missouri Cattleman Association

He is a 5th generation native that resides in Cedar Creek with his wife Glenda on the family farm. They raise beef cattle. They have two daughters, seven grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

Lyle was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 2010 and served 8 years for the 155th district (Douglas, Ozark and Taney Counties).

He was elected in 2019 to the White River Valley Electric Co-op board where he has served for the past 3 years. He has obtained the Director Gold Certificate from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

Lyle feels that he has made a positive contribution to the existing Board and currently serves as, Vice-President of the Board and chairman of the Bylaw, Governance and Engagement Committee. He looks forward to continuing his tenure in directing the work of the White River Valley Electric Cooperative.

Experience and Education

• High School Diploma from Forsyth High School
• Specialist in Educational Administration
• Awards & Honors:
  • FFA Blue and Gold Award
  • Outstanding Rural Administrator
  • Missouri K-8 School Superintendent of the Year
  • MASA Outstanding Emeritus Educator award
• Community & Board Experience:
  • Past President of Forsyth Lions club
  • Forsyth Alumni
  • Forsyth Bass Club
  • Secretary-Treasurer of Missouri Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association
  • I have served on the Forsyth Boys & Girls Club board, Taney County Fair, Taney County Republican Central Committee and UM Extension Committee.
  • I am currently on the Brown Cemetery Board and the White River Valley Historical Society board.

qualifications

• Lyle has been a member of the Cooperative for 49+ Years.
• Lyle is not employed by any enterprise that competes with WRVEC.
• Lyle is not related to anyone employed at the Cooperative.
• Lyle has served past 6 years as an active Board member. He has taken several classes from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and has earned their Gold Director certification. His work in Education and as a State Representative has given him lots of experience in about every aspect of business.
• Lyle has not received any campaign contributions.

QUESTIONS & Answers

Explain the Cooperative Difference

The members own the cooperative. The cooperative is here to serve our members.

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

Keeping rates as low as possible.
Have dependable electric power.
Continue to expand our internet offerings.

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

Being a part of the Board that serves their members with the highest degree of compassion, commitment, and expertise.

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

Voluntary membership; member control; member’s economic contribution; autonomy & independence; member training, education and information; Cooperation among Cooperatives; and Concern for community.

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

Communication skills, business skills and personal skills.

What is most important to the members of your district?

Affordable, reliable energy is top on the list.
Affordable, reliable Internet is, in my opinion second.

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

By being in the community to discuss issues or answer questions from people.
Always bragging on our employees and the job that they do to make our Co-op great.

What makes you the ideal candidate?

I care! I’m involved! I’m available!
I will do my best to continue the outstanding reputation of the Co-op!