Your voice shapes the future of the cooperative. Voting in the Board of Directors election is a powerful way to make a difference. KV REMC is organized into five districts, each led by a director, plus two at-large directors who represent all members. This year's election includes the District 4 director and one at-large director seat. View our district map here. Cast your vote online from August 21 to September 22, or vote in person at the Member Appreciation & Annual Business Meeting on September 24. For more details on the election process, visit https://www.kvremc.com/about-us/board-of-directors/board-elections/.
Brad Hazelton - District 4 Candidate
Watch My Video Bio
Brad Hazelton, his wife, Jana, and their two daughters and two sons reside in Hamlet. They have been Kankakee Valley REMC members for 22 years. Brad graduated from Oregon-Davis High School before earning a degree in agribusiness from Vincennes University. He now works in agricultural retail, where he supports local farmers and agribusiness clients. Demonstrating his strong commitment to community service, Brad dedicates his time to a variety of local organizations and causes. He serves as president of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Hamlet Fire Chief, and is an active member of both the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) and the Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Advisory Board. He has also supported youth athletics as an Oregon Davis basketball coach and serves as president of the Starke County Merit Board. Through these roles, he has contributed to and supported the community and public service. Brad would like to serve on the board of directors because he believes deeply in the cooperative model and wants to ensure the KV REMC members’ interests remain at the heart of every decision. His goal is to leverage his leadership and collaborative skills to drive sustainable growth and continuous improvement, ensuring the co-op thrives for years to come. As a strong communicator, he is committed to listening to the members, addressing their concerns, and transparently championing the unique values that make the cooperative special.
MIKE YANKAUSKAS - District 4 Candidate
Watch My Video Bio
Mike Yankauskas and his wife, Kate, have been Kankakee Valley REMC members for 48 years and reside near Grovetown. The couple has three married sons and eight grandchildren. Mike earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and agronomy from Purdue University. He owns and operates a farrow-to-finish hog farm. Previously, he managed fertilizer, chemical, and grain facilities and worked as a soil fertility and crop nutrition consultant. Active in his community, Mike currently serves on the boards of Community Services of Starke County, the St. Vincent DePaul Society, and the St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Council, where he is also a member. Additionally, he serves on the Washington Township Advisory Board and volunteers with the Washington Township Fire Department. Previously, he served on the boards of the Starke County Co-Op and the Knox Community School Board. Mike served on the REMC board from 1990 to 2014 and was re-elected in 2017. He currently serves as the vice president of the board and represents the cooperative on the Indiana Electric Cooperative Board of Directors. Mike’s commitment to education is evident in his achievement of the Credentialed Cooperative Director, Board Leadership, and Director Gold designations through the National Rural Electric Association. As a business owner, he understands the importance of fiscal responsibility and keeping a close eye on the numbers. During his time on the KV REMC board, he has worked to ensure co-op members have access to affordable, reliable electricity. Continuing to serve as District 4 board director will allow him to put these skills and experiences to work for the benefit of the members.
Sharon Angelina - At-Large Candidate
Watch My Video Bio
Sharon Angelina has been a Kankakee Valley REMC member for two years and resides in Hanna. Her entire adult life has been focused on family, community, and building a strong future for the next generation. As a self-employed parent, she was fortunate to spend meaningful time with her children, involving them in their community through town meetings and local fundraisers. This gave her an appreciation for the importance of everyday people having a voice in the decisions that affect their lives. In 2016, Sharon joined the board of the Art Barn School of Art and became the office manager and program director, gaining experience in nonprofit leadership, community engagement, and organizational operations. During COVID, she spent over two years living off-grid in rural Michigan with her youngest daughter. This brought firsthand insight into energy use, self-reliance, and the importance of balancing affordability, reliability, and environmental stewardship. After returning to Indiana in 2024, she established Prairie Flower Farm, focused on prairie restoration and supporting the local ecosystem. Sharon feels called to represent members like herself — working families, retirees, farmers, and residents across our communities who care deeply about rising costs, reliable service, and the future of energy in our region. She would be honored to earn the opportunity to serve the members of Kankakee Valley REMC.
Russell Guse - At-Large Candidate
Watch My Video Bio
Russell R. Guse, his wife, and two sons reside in LaPorte County. They have been Kankakee Valley REMC member-consumers for 16 years. Russell received an associate degree in electrical engineering technology from Purdue University. He is self-employed as a crop duster, corporate pilot, and farmer. He was previously employed at KV REMC for nine years, working in the operations department as a groundman and engineering tech. Guse serves the community as a volunteer firefighter for the LaCrosse Fire Department. Russell was elected to the KV REMC Board of Directors in 2020. While serving, he has been committed to education. He has earned the Credentialed Cooperative Director certificate from the National Rural Electric Association and is taking classes towards his Board Leadership certificate. As a small business owner, Russell knows how important affordable and reliable power is to the community. His knowledge of the electrical system and day-to-day operations is an asset to the board. Being re-elected to the board of directors will allow him to continue working to provide fair energy rates, improve reliability, and explore future energy options, while putting the needs of co-op members first.
Charles Kleinfehn - At-Large Candidate
Watch My Video Bio
Charles Kleinfehn and his wife, Mary, have been Kankakee Valley REMC members for 40 years and reside in Knox. They have one daughter, a son, four granddaughters, and one grandson. Charles earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management, with a minor in marketing and personnel. He is a retired Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) director with many years of experience in manufacturing, safety, and management. He previously served as an ISO manager and safety manager. He has also completed various environmental, health, and safety training courses and earned certifications through IOSHA and IDEM, as well as a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification. In addition to his professional experience, Charles is active in the community through the Knights of Columbus, where he serves as the financial secretary for the Knox Council, and as an associate member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Charles has built strong work relationships throughout his career by listening, communicating openly, and working with others to achieve goals. His experience in building partnerships and working as part of a team will help him represent the KV REMC members and make decisions with their best interest in mind.