Great Bend Post
Jun 07, 2025

Kansas Electric Cooperative employees complete Leadership Academy

Posted Jun 07, 2025 8:00 PM
Pete Priester – HILA Instructor, Brad Barta – WCE &  Lee Tafanelli – Kansas Electric Cooperatives CEO
Pete Priester – HILA Instructor, Brad Barta – WCE &  Lee Tafanelli – Kansas Electric Cooperatives CEO

BUSINESS NEWS

Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (KEC) announces the graduation of 23 electric cooperative professionals from the High Impact Leadership Academy (HILA), a comprehensive, resultsdriven program designed to develop leadership skills among frontline supervisors, managers and executives. Participants engaged in dynamic group exercises, case studies, and leadership assessments tailored specifically for Kansas electric cooperatives.

Brad Barta, Journeyman Lineman, Western Cooperative Electric, participated in this first KEC HILA cohort and graduated during a May 21 ceremony in Wichita, having successfully completed weekly sessions between January and May, all designed to deliver hands-on, practical training rooted in real-world challenges.

“If you want to become a better leader for tomorrow, HILA is the academy to take,” said Barta. “I’ve strengthened my ability to lead with Confidence and Initiative.”

A team of highly experienced instructors with military leadership backgrounds leads the HILA program, ensuring a disciplined and results-driven approach. The second KEC HILA cohort launched on May 20.

Graduates of KEC’s HILA Cohort 1:

Ken Caudell, 4 Rivers Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Jerod Chaffee, Bluestem Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Jason Bare, Brown-Atchison Electric Cooperative Association, Inc.

Trevor Schmille, Doniphan Electric Cooperative Association, Inc.

Jodi Blackburn, Flint Hills Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Inc.

Bryce Shaver, FreeState Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Matthew Cochran, Heartland Propane

Amy Geier, Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Mindi Pfannenstiel, Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc.

Carol Dorr, Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc.

Kasey Jenkinson, Lane-Scott Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Brian McKinney, Midwest Energy, Inc.

Kevin Huninghake, Nemaha-Marshall Electric Cooperative Association, Inc.

Justin McGuire, Ninnescah Electric Cooperative Association, Inc.

Chris Wagner, Pioneer Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Marc Martin, Rolling Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Jennifer Krehbiel, Sedgwick County Electric Cooperative Association, Inc.

Jordan Creed, Sumner-Cowley Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Micah Davis, Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Adam Myers, Twin Valley Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Rob Henry, The Victory Electric Cooperative Association

Brad Barta, Western Cooperative Electric Association

Chad Deniston, Wheatland Electric Cooperative, Inc.