Joe Farquhar - District 1

Joe Farquhar was born in 1934 and has lived in the College Springs area his entire life. He graduated from Amity High School in 1952 and attended Tarkio College for 2 1/2 years. In 1957, he was drafted into the Army and served 2 years. Of that 2 years, 1 1/2 years were served in Germany.

Joe began his service on the AHEC board in 1981 and has held the office of Secretary for many years. Joe married Ruth (Winkler) and they have been married 51 years. They have 3 daughters and 3 granddaughters.

Shop work and blacksmithing is what you will find Joe doing in his spare time. Over the years, Joe has served on many community boards. Those include, Farm Bureau, FHA Cooperative Elevator, and the Tarkio Bank.

Dick Spiegel - District 1

Dick joined the AHEC board in 1988. He is married to Joni and they live in the Hamburg, Iowa area where he is engaged in farming.

Sam Creed - District 2

After graduating from the University of Missouri in 1966, Sam Creed began farming in the Fairfax area. Sam and his wife, Linda, have been involved in the farming community most of their lives.

Sam has served on the AHEC Board since 1990 and presently serves as the Vice-President. In 2007, Sam completed the NRECA Credentialed Cooperative Directors' course.

In his spare time, Sam enjoys golf. He also collects toy tractors. Sam is very community minded and is active in several organizations. Those include Optimist Club, Masons and Shriners, Missouri Corn Growers Association, and Sam serves as an Elder at the Fairfax Presbyterian Church. He is also a delegate for Mound City MFA Gas and Oil, serves as Vice-President of the Environmental Resource Coalition and Vice-President of Missouri Renewable Partners.

Steve Showalter - District 2

Steve Showalter is the President of AHEC's board and has served on the board since 1990. He completed the NRECA Credentialed Cooperative Directors' course in 2007. Steve also serves as AHEC's representative on the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperative Board.

Steve and his wife Marcia live in the Rock Port area and have been married for 30 years. They have two sons, Brent and Seth. Steve is the District Sales Manager for Producers Hybrids. In addition, Steve also sells real estate for 3B's Insurance. Mizzou football and basketball are a passion of Steve's and he attends most of their games. When Steve has spare time, you will find him on the golf course.

Duane Klute - District 2

Duane has served on the AHEC board since 1991, and presently serves as Treasurer of the board. Duane has completed the NRECA Credentialed Cooperative Directors' course in 2007. He is also AHEC's representative on the NW Electric Board of Directors, and serves on the Policy Development Committee at NW.

After graduation from high school, Duane began farming in the Westboro area. Duane served six years as a Medic in the 139th USAF Dispensary, Missouri Air National Guard.

He and his wife of 42 years, Sue, live on the farm and in the hous his grandparents purchased in 1920. They currently farm 1200 acres. Duane and Sue have three sons and five grandchildren. Duane is a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Westboro where he is a past council member and he presently serves as President of St. John's Cemetary Association.

Traveling is what Duane and Sue love to do, and Duane will play golf anywhere and everywhere.

Jorden Ellison - Distric 2

In 2004, Jody joined the AHEC board. Jody and his wife of 18 years, Toni, have two children, Elyssa and Drew. He has lived in Atchison County his entire life and has farmed in the area for 28 years. Hunting, fishing and spending time with his family are Jody's favorite things to do. He also enjoys attending athletic events and coaching youth baseball and basketball.

Serving the members of AHEC and working for the growth and economy in our area are two areas of great interest to Jody. He is currently a member of the Rock Port United Methodist Church and is a board member of the Methodist Church Shepherding Team. Jody is also a member of the Rock Port Optimist Club, Atchison County Farm Bureau, Watson Fire Department and Atchison County Fair Board.

Hugh Wallace - District 3

Hugh Wallace and his wife, Cindy, live in the Mound City area. They have two daughters, Megan and Kelli. Hugh graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in 1974 with a BS in accounting. He has spent the last 34 years in production agriculture.

Hugh has served on the AHEC board since 2004, and completed the NRECA Credentialed Cooperative Directors' course in 2007. Hugh's interests include history, traveling and meeting people. He is also an outdoors enthusiast and enjoys fishing, hunting, golf and motorcycles.

Community service includes school board member for eight terms, Lions' club member and Hugh attends the First Christian Church.

Dennis Wright - District 3

Dennis became a board member of AHEC in 1987. He is married to Lillian and they live in the Craig, Missouri area. Dennis operates his business, Wright Electric and Hardware, in Craig.

David R. Frede - District 3

David is the newest member of the AHEC Board having joined us in 2007. David is a native to Rock Port and was raised on a grain and livestock farm. He graduated from Rock Port High School and received his college degree from NWMSU in 1977.

David is the Vice President of Farmers State Bank at Mound City. He was formerly with UMB Bank - Mound City for 14 years and Farm Credit Services in Mound City for 14 years, thereby bringing a strong financial background to the board. David is married to Karen, who is employed as the Division II Court Clerk in Holt County. They have two children, Ben and Sally.

David enjoys working in the yard, fishing (as time allows) and following the Missouri Tigers Football program. He is a member of the United Methodist Church of Mound City and serves as the Treasurer of the Mound City Kiwanis Club.