Michael Michener

Sparta

Brief Bio

Michael has lived and worked most of his life in central Oklahoma, but is now proud to call the Ozarks his home. He met his wife, Jennifer, during their college years in Oklahoma City, and they were married in her hometown of Ava, Missouri. Together, they raised two children.

Michael graduated from Oklahoma Christian University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. He has spent nearly three decades leading network engineering teams in the telecommunications industry. Michael enjoys gardening, farming, and enjoying the beauty of our mountains and rivers.

Experience and Education

• High School Diploma from Copperas Cove High School
• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from Oklahoma Christian University
• Master of Business in Organizational Management and Leadership from Oklahoma Christian University
• Awards & Honors:
  • Bachelor’s Degree – Cum Laude
• Community & Board Experience:
  • No current experience serving on a board.

qualifications

Michael has been a member of the Cooperative for 4 years, is not employed by any enterprise that competes with WRVEC, and is not related to anyone employed at the Cooperative. Michael has extensive experience in finance and accounting, especially with evaluating ROI for capital project investment and managing quarterly operations expenses. Also, because of his career focus, Michael fully appreciates the complexities of networks, fiber construction, easements, permitting, etc., associated with the design, building, and operating of utility infrastructure. Michael has not received any campaign contributions.

QUESTIONS & Answers

Explain the Cooperative Difference

The Cooperative Difference means having local control over the decisions that directly impact the critical infrastructure serving our homes, farms, and ranches. It means we band together as neighbors with shared values to invest in our own future. The cooperative exists to serve its members.

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

1. Complete the fiber build-out through White River Connect, managing timelines and capital expense effectively.
2. Ensure highly reliable service by constantly evaluating processes for incident and change management.
3. Keep our products affordable through effective management of operational expenses.

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 found the Member Appreciation Days to be helpful and meaningful to members. In Christian County, I was surprised by the amount of participation from the community. I appreciated the employees sharing 1-on-1 about their jobs with me, and I enjoyed mingling with and getting to know neighbors.

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

Now that we have settled back home in the Ozarks, headed toward retirement, it is important to me to make long-term personal investment in this community of neighbors I now have. What better way than to help ensure the viability of our critical infrastructure?

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

Yes. The cooperative model is non-profit, exists for the benefit of our members, focused on service and community, and governed by our bylaws. The board, locally elected by members, guarantees member representation in decision-making locally and up through the transmission and generation tiers of the cooperative model.

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

I have extensive financial, network, and fiber construction experience. As far as my leadership qualities go: 1) I am foremost a patient listener and communicator; 2) I think about long-term strategy–not just the immediate decision; 2) I tend to gather and thoughtfully weigh all the facts, and then decisively execute.

What is most important to the members of your district?

Reliable service is the most important matter to us. Our members want reliable electric and Internet service at their homesteads with quick and safe repairs and good communication when nature strikes.

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

I would both listen to our members and take every opportunity to share key updates on what matters to them–like progress on the fiber build-out or how we are managing costs. I would participate 100% in Member Days and other events where our members come together, speaking 1-on-1 with members.

What makes you the ideal candidate?

First, I have decades of experience in the telecommunications industry, managing projects with significant capital investment and optimizing operations. Second, my style of leadership lends itself to representing the members of our coop. As a servant leader, I listen to people’s needs and make strategic decisions to meet those needs.