Meet Your Board of Directors
CVEC's territory is divided into 5 districts, each represented by a proportional number of board seats. The terms for CVEC directors are staggered in a set three-year rotation. Directors are nominated by petition, placed on the official ballot, and elected by you, our members, during the Annual Meeting each August.
We encourage you to reach out to your district’s board member(s) with any questions, concerns, or suggestions. You can find each director’s contact information by hovering over their image on this page.
Your board members are here to represent you, so don’t hesitate to connect with them!
Marchelle Brown
District 1
Marchelle Brown
Vice-President, CCD, BLC, DGC
mbrown@cvrec.com
District 1
Appanoose County and portions of Monroe and Wapello
Marchelle has been a dedicated member of Chariton Valley Electric’s Board of Directors since 2018 and currently serves as Vice-President.
She brings extensive knowledge and leadership to the board and is focused on maintaining the cooperative’s positive trajectory and creating new opportunities for the members.
Dale Clark
District 3
Dale Clark
Director
dclark@cvrec.com
District 3
Wayne and a portion of Appanoose
Dale was elected to Chariton Valley Electric’s Board of Directors in August 2024 and has been a member of the cooperative for 26 years.
With strong skills in business management, budget, and accounting, Dale is focused on promoting renewable energy and upgrading infrastructure to meet the cooperative's needs.
Jerry Durian
District 2
Jerry Durian
Director
jdurian@cvrec.com
District 2
Monroe County and portions of Lucas, Marion and Wapello
Jerry was elected to Chariton Valley Electric’s Board of Directors in August 2019 and has been a dedicated member of the cooperative for the past 49 years.
With a strong commitment to serving our members, Jerry is focused on keeping costs down while ensuring the continued success and sustainability of CVEC.
Randy Gottschalk
District 2
Randy Gottschalk
Director, CCD, BLC, DGC
rgottschalk@cvrec.com
District 2
Monroe County and portions of Lucas, Marion and Wapello
Randy has served on Chariton Valley Electric’s Board of Directors for a total of 9 years.
With nearly 20 years of experience owning and operating a Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise in Ottumwa, Randy brings valuable business operations expertise to the board. He is focused on keeping liabilities low, minimizing employee turnover, controlling costs, and ensuring reliable electric service with minimal interruptions.
Karla Heffron
District 4
Karla Heffron
Treasurer
kheffron@cvrec.com
District 4
Lucas County
Karla was elected to Chariton Valley Electric’s Board of Directors in August 2023 and currently holds the position of Board Treasurer.
With a background in financial and business management from 25 years in the corporate sector and self-employment, Karla is focused on keeping the cooperative current with technology trends and retaining a skilled workforce.
John Houser
District 1
John Houser
Director, CCD
jhouser@cvrec.com
District 1
Appanoose County and portions of Monroe and Wapello
John was elected to Chariton Valley Electric’s Board of Directors in August 2021.
He brings valuable expertise in substation and electric utility construction, budget and finance management, as well as project management. John's focus as a board member is on enhancing the electric system, controlling spending, and improving employee retention.
Norm Major
District 5
Norm Major
Secretary, CCD, BLC, DGC
nmajor@cvrec.com
District 5
City of Albia
Norm has served on Chariton Valley Electric’s Board of Directors since 2012 and currently holds the position of Board Secretary. Norm also represents CVEC on the Northeast Power transmission cooperative’s Board.
With 46 years of experience as an Engineering Specialist at Pella Windows and Doors, Norm brings valuable technical and management skills to the board. His focus is on ensuring affordable, reliable electricity for all members, while addressing community concerns about rates, service reliability, and safety.
Kenneth VandenBerg
District 5
Kenneth VandenBerg
President, CCD, BLC, DGC
kvandenberg@cvrec.com
District 5
City of Albia
Kenny has been a director on Chariton Valley Electric’s Board since 2010 and is currently the Board President.
He is committed to staying informed about emerging challenges and opportunities in the electric industry, including developments in wind and solar generation.
Richard Welsh
District 5
Richard Welsh
Director, CCD, BLC, DGC
rwelsh@cvrec.com
District 5
City of Albia
Richard has been a director on Chariton Valley Electric’s Board since 1999. Richard also represents CVEC on the Northeast Power transmission cooperative’s board.
Richard is committed to finding ways to keep costs down while ensuring the cooperative continues to deliver the excellent service and reliability that members have come to expect.
