Mission Statement
As a non-profit natural gas energy cooperative, our mission is to provide a safe, efficient, reliable, and economical energy alternative to all members of the Knox Energy cooperative by properly engineering, installing, maintaining, and operating natural gas distribution systems that meet or exceed all federal and state safety requirements. Membership is entirely voluntary as opposed to many regulated utilities (e.g., water, sewer, electric, and gas).
Board of Trustees
The Knox Energy Board of Trustees welcomes the views of the members regarding the cooperative, rules and regulations, and the services being provided.
Please use this form to tell us about any issues or suggestions you may have regarding your natural gas service.
President: Renee McDaniel
Term of Office Expires: December 31, 2022
Renee holds a B.A. and M.B.A. from Capital University and is also a Certified Public Accountant. Professionally, Renee currently works for McDaniel CPA and in the past has served as: Controller for Maidware Products, Hebron, OH; Assistant Controller for the law firm of Emens, Kegler, Brown, Hill, and Ritler; and Director of Finance for the Builders Exchange of Central Ohio. Currently Renee is working as a CPA for the accounting firm of Dennis & Schisler, Inc. Renee was the first Treasurer of Knox Energy, serving in that position until she became President of the co-op in 2006.
Secretary and Treasurer: Larry Gerst
Term of Office Expires: December 31, 2024
Larry holds a B.A. in History from Muskingum College and an Associate's Accounting Degree from Marietta College. After working several years in the accounting field, Larry has become very experienced in multiple areas of accounting including, but not limited to, accounts payable, cost analysis, payroll, and inventory control. Prior to Knox Energy, Larry was the Treasurer for the Noble County Recreation Committee. His other business and community activities include managing the Caldwell Swimming Pool from 2001-2006 and coaching youth baseball and basketball from 1991-2005.
Trustee: Dick Hart
Term of Office Expires: December 31, 2024
Dick holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from Drury College in Springfield, Missouri. From 1964 to 1974, he worked as a Consulting Petroleum Geologist. He was also Owner and President of Marion Operating Corporation, an oil and gas exploration and production company.
Trustee: Carla Wilke Jones
Term of Office Expires: December 31, 2025
Carla holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. From 1996 to 2016 she was the Owner, Director, and Vice President of a packing company. She has been a part of multiple boards including Apple Valley, Mid-States Meat Association, Ohio Department of Agriculture, and multiple Gahanna, OH boards.
Trustee: Jeff Harmer
Term of Office Expires: December 31, 2024
Trustee: Thomas Stephens
Term of Office Expires: December 31, 2024
Tom holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines, a Professional Engineer Certification from the State of Ohio, and a level IV certification from the Vibration Institute. He has worked for the Ariel Corp since 1998 in the R&D and Technical Services Departments specializing in field-related performance and vibration-related issues.
General Election Information
Board of Trustee elections are conducted in accordance with Section III, Trustees of the Knox Energy Code of Regulations and Bylaws.
In general, trustees are elected once per year. Each trustee normally serves a term of five years. Terms are staggered such that no more than two trustees are elected to a regular term in any one year. Resumes are generally received and published in the summer with election ballots included in the September billing. Each member in good standing of the Knox Energy co-op is permitted one vote. The results will be announced at the annual meeting in late September or early October.
The resumes of those running for election will be posted in correlation with the election periods. If you would like to be considered as a candidate for the next election, please submit your resume to info@utilitypipelineltd.com.