PATRICK KUBALA
Incumbent

“For the past three years, it has been truly and honor and privilege to serve as your District 2 representative. During this first term, I was able to complete the Credentialed Cooperative Director Program. This education has broadened my knowledge of the business and operations of electric cooperatives. We the membership, the management, and all the employees have one common goal— when we plug an appliance in, turn on a tool, or flip a switch, we want the power to flow. You can rest assured that the board and all of the WCEC employees strive to obtain that goal day in and day out.

I have to say something about the staff at WCEC—they are a well-oiled machine working together to solve the problems that they encounter to bring us reliable, economical service. I congratulate them on a job well done.

Thank you for allowing me to serve on your behalf, and I would appreciate your vote for another term.”

Kubala has lived in the WCEC service territory for 38 years. He has two grown children with his late wife, Becky. He is a graduate of El Campo High School and Texas A&M University.

He is a member of the Hillje Society of KJT insurance and a sales representative, a member of the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree, and a deacon at St. John’s Catholic Church in New Taiton. His most important function is being a grandfather to his two grandchildren, Jett and Kate.

Kubala has served on the WCEC Board for three years. He is a Credentialed Co-op Director and is the current Assistant Secretary/Treasurer. He also served on the WCEC Board from 1987-1992.

KURT ILSE

“I have always admired and respected the WCEC organization. I would look forward to being a part of that as a board member.”

Ilse has lived in the WCEC service territory for 60 years. He and his wife, Lileette, have two grown children. He is a graduate of El Campo High School and Texas A&M University where he earned a B.S. in Agriculture. He is currently a rancher and helicopter pilot.

SAMUEL CRAIG HARDIN
Incumbent

“It has been an absolute honor and privilege to serve for these last three years as your District 5 board member. The last three years have been an amazing learning experience for me. The many facets of how electrical power is provided to us has been quite surprising to me and the more that I learn about the process, the more impressed I am about how efficiently and effectively our cooperative system is making it happen. Having completed my credential education courses, I have also had the opportunity to learn more about the business aspects of the production and sale of electrical power.

I grew up in rural Ganado and graduated from Ganado High School. I attended Wharton County Jr. College, and transferred to Sam Houston State University where I graduated. I taught Agricultural Science in Kingwood for three years and moved back home and taught at the El Campo High School for 34 years. I am retired and am currently self-employed. My wife and I have lived in District 5 for 43 years and we have two grown sons that both attended and graduated from El Campo High School. 

The challenges and opportunities that face our Cooperative concerning alternative electrical production sources, such as wind and solar, changes in regulations for natural gas and coal, as well as the availability of these resources is an important topic for discussion during each board meeting. As a board member, I am looking forward to being a part of providing proactive solutions to ensure reliable electrical service for our customers.

It has been my good fortune to have the opportunity to be a part of this exceptional group of people that make up the Wharton County Electrical Cooperative. Providing reliable, safe, and affordable electrical service is always the first priority. 

I am proud to be a part of WCEC as a board member and would be honored to continue serving you in that capacity. I would really appreciate your vote.”

Hardin has served on the WCEC Board for three years. He is a Credentialed Co-op Director.
 

BRETT RACHUNEK

“Rural electrification provides more opportunities for development and agriculture.”

Rachanek is a lifelong resident of Wharton County and has lived in the WCEC Service Territory for five years. He is a farmer with a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness from Texas A&M - Kingsville.

JIM W. HARTON
Incumbent

“For the past six years, it has truly been an honor and privilege to serve as your District 8 representative. During my first term, I was able to complete the Credentialed Cooperative Director Program, which broadened my knowledge of the business and operations of electric cooperatives from the past, to the present and more importantly a look ahead to the future. Throughout these challenging times - Hurricane Harvey, “The Ice Storm,” COVID-19, and more - the Board and especially the employees have worked diligently together continuing to provide its members affordable and reliable electric power and improved Internet for their homes and businesses. WCEC has always provided prompt and efficient customer service for its members. It is crucial for electric co-ops to continue keeping up with ever-changing technological advancements for the 21st century as well as keeping informed of all the latest legislative and regulatory issues. If re-elected, I will continue working on these goals on behalf of you, the members.

I was raised on a farm in Danevang and experienced firsthand the importance of rural electrification and the impact it had on our lives. I have been married to Jennifer Kasper Harton for 43 years and we continue to live on the farm. I graduated from El Campo High School and Sam Houston State University and am now retired from Fort Bend ISD and Rope Works, Inc. I am a member of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Hillje, Knights of Columbus Council #9393, and Director of the Danish Heritage Preservation Society, and a Board Director for South Texas Electric Cooperative.

Thank you for allowing me to serve on your behalf, and I would appreciate your vote for another term.”

Harton has served on the WCEC Board for six years. He is a Credentialed Co-op Director, is the current Vice President, and sits on the Board of Directors for South Texas Electric Cooperative.

ROBERT KRENEK JR.

“WCEC has great service. I’ve never had any problems and am proud to be a part of WCEC.”

Krenek has lived in the WCEC service territory for over 10 years and is currently an Equipment Operator for the City of Palacios. He and his wife, Brittany Lopez, have three children. He is a graduate of Tidehaven High School and retired from the United States Marine Corps. 

Krenek is a member of the Blessing American Legion and the Markham Volunteer Fire Department.

GEORGE "BUDDY" DORNAK JR.

“I feel the benefits of rural electrification are exceptional personal service that will keep the cost of electricity at a lower rate. From personal experience of power outages, this co-op has service back on in minimal time with no waiting hours and hours, or even days for power, as you would with major electric providers. Last, but not least, rural electrification as we have, with this co-op is a local business that cares about members. We are not just an account number, but a family.”

Dornak has lived in the WCEC service territory for 63 years. He and his wife, Cathy, have two grown children. He is a graduate of El Campo High School and is currently a Realtor. 

He is a member of the National Association of Realtors, Texas Association of Realtors, NRA, 100 Club, and Texas Farm Bureau. 

GARY LAMBERTH

“Although rural electrification continues to provide reliable low-cost power to its members as well as making broadband services available in areas that previously had no options, there are challenges that have arisen due to the COVID pandemic. Many were forced to work from home, requiring reliable broadband service. In addition, many urban dwellers have decided to relocate to rural areas. This has resulted in increased demand for electricity and broadband service not only in our area, but across the country. Additionally, since the rising number of electric vehicles (EVs) will place increasing demand on our existing resources, we need to ensure adequate infrastructure and load margins are available going forward. My goal is to help ensure WCEC can satisfy the increasing needs of the future while maintaining our current level of service for existing members in a fiscally responsible manner.”

Lamberth has lived in the WCEC service territory for 41 years. He and his wife, Lynn, have two grown children. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin where he earned a B.S. in Human Ecology. He also studied Nuclear Science Technology at the University of Maryland. Lamberth is currently retired. 

Before retirement, he worked in power generation for 34 years at South Texas Project Electric Generating Station as a Nuclear Regulatory Commission Licensed Reactor Operator.