Board of Trustees & Elections

URE is represented by trustees serving 7 districts.

  • Cooperative Principle #2 – Democratic Member Control: URE is a democratic organization controlled by its members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. Men and women serving as elected representatives accountable to the membership.
  • Trustees are responsible for the governance of the Cooperative, and are involved in various business, financial, and strategic planning activities.
  • The strength of the cooperative lies in having a qualified and committed board of trustees, so each trustee is required to achieve specific levels of industry education and training provided by our state and national associations.
  • Trustees serve a 3-year term.

Map of Districts & Trustees

Contact your Trustee

Steve Patton

Chairman

District 1

Mark Lotycz

District 2

Dale Scheiderer

Treasurer

District 3

Clifford Collins

District 4

Dan Westlake

Vice Chairman

District 5

Jeff Reinhard

Secretary

District 6

Steven Martin

District 7

Election Cycle

  • 2026 – Districts 3 and 6
  • 2027 – Districts 1,4, and 5
  • 2028 – Districts 2 and 7

2026 Election Timeline  – Districts 3 & 6

  • Nov. 2025 Ohio Cooperative Living (OCL) article on the process for electing trustees, including a timeline
  • Dec. 2025 OCL article on qualifications needed to run for the board
  • Jan 5, 2026 Mail member interest cards to the districts
  • Jan 7, 2026 150 days from annual meeting; earliest the board can appoint the nominating committee
  • Jan 23, 2026 Member interest cards due; validated for membership; mail member application packet
  • Jan 27, 2026 Regular Jan. board meeting; appoint nominating committee
  • Feb 11, 2026 Member candidate application due by 4 p.m.
  • Feb 12, 2026 Notice/packet mailed to nominating committee
  • Feb 19, 2026 Nominating committee meeting (third Thursday in Feb)
  • Feb 24, 2026 Regular February board meeting
  • Mar 5, 2026 Second nominating committee meeting notice (if necessary)
  • Mar 31, 2026 Regular March board meeting
  • Mar 27, 2026 Last day nominations by committee or petition can be filed with the secretary (70 days prior to annual meeting)
  • Apr 28, 2026 Regular April board meeting
  • May 2026 Official meeting notice in May OCL magazine
  • May 15, 2026 Latest ballots can be mailed to members (20 days prior to annual meeting)
  • May 26, 2026 Regular May board meeting
  • Jun 2026 Final meeting notice in June OCL magazine
  • June 4, 2026 Ballots due
  • Jun 6, 2026 Annual meeting, 9 a.m. at URE office
  • Jun 30, 2026 Regular June board meeting, including reorganization meeting to elect board officers