2022 Director Election

183 Dogwood Blossom Dr., Sullivan

Janet Morrow, a third-generation cooperative member, has served on the board since 2022 and currently chairs the Audit & Finance Committee.  Morrow also represents the cooperative as its voting member to the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC) and has earned Director Gold status through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).

She and her husband, Scott, live in Sullivan and have two children, Ben and Loretta. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Missouri and is a Missouri-licensed CPA who owns an accounting firm in Sullivan. Together, they have served as foster parents in Franklin and Crawford counties and are adoptive parents of a foster child.

Morrow currently serves as secretary/treasurer for the Bourbon and Leasburg fire protection districts, a local water district and two homeowners associations. She also provides financial services for the Sullivan Fire Protection District and serves on the board of First State Community Bank.

She credits the co-op’s success to its dedicated workforce and culture. “Our committed employees and contractors bring exceptional skill and dedication to their roles, consistently serving the co-op with integrity and purpose,” she said. “Their contributions are the foundation of our continued success. As a proud member, I am passionate about sharing the story of Crawford’s outstanding culture and achievements with our members and the broader community – and ensuring that this legacy of excellence continues well into the future.”

She said her board priorities center around three specific areas. “Our primary focus must remain on safety, reliable and uninterrupted power delivery, and sound financial stewardship for our members. This includes maintaining our consistent position within the lowest third of electric co-op rates across the state,” she said.

Morrow described her vision for the board’s role and responsibilities. “The board should be guided by a commitment to transparency, a culture of constructive and forward-thinking ideas, and a deep sense of responsibility to our members, employees and community,” she said.

5223 Chapel Hill Rd., Sullivan

Paul Gross, a 20-year member of Crawford Electric, is a self-employed, state-licensed electrician with more than two decades of experience. He is a graduate of East Central College’s vocational program at Four Rivers Career Center.

He and his wife, Leslie, have been married for 17 years and have two children, Ivy and Paul.  He serves on the R-13 school board and volunteers his electrical services to VFW halls, churches, and summer camps.  A trained weather spotter and HAM radio operator, he is also a certified gunsmith and firearms appraiser.

Gross owns and operates his own business and said he is comfortable managing large-scale projects with tight budgets. “I’m a blue-collar, proven cost-cutting conservative,” he said. “I’m very knowledgeable and effective when it comes to communicating with customer service.”

Gross said that if elected, he would focus on cost-saving measures, safety initiatives and increased transparency. “Some issues the board needs to focus on in the next few years are cost-cutting in all areas, more safety education for members and school districts, mandatory removement of all co-op directors from Crawford Electric’s paid health insurance at 65 (since they are eligible to receive Medicare like all co-op members at that age) and better communication of all future rate increases,” he said. “I want to help prevent unwarranted rate hikes while being transparent with co-op members.”
 

180 Mullen Rd., Steelville

Gary Mullen has served on the Crawford Electric board of directors for 15 years, including 13 years as board treasurer. He also represents Crawford Electric on the Sho-Me Power board of directors. He has earned Director Gold status, the highest level of director achievement from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).

A lifelong Steelville resident, Mullen and his wife, Susan, live and work on his family’s farm where he runs a cow-calf operation with his son and daughter. For 16 years, he owned a fertilizer and lime application service. Before that, he worked as a school bus driver and a heavy equipment operator.

Mullen has served on a variety of local boards, including the Steelville Ambulance District, Steelville Telephone Exchange, Steelville R-3 Schools, Crawford County Soil and Water District, Farm Service Agency, and MFA Oil. “Like Crawford Electric, I am committed to not just our co-op but also the communities we serve and live in,” he said.

He is seeking re-election to continue representing the interests of members across the service territory. “It has been an honor to serve as your board member for the past 15 years. My main focus over these years has been to ensure that you – the members – have safe, reliable and affordable power,” he said. “As a director, my focus is not only on our present needs but also on looking toward future needs. I appreciate your support and vote and look forward to continuing to serve all members and their unique needs.”

1440 Old Springfield Rd., Cuba

Kenny Staples has been a member of Crawford Electric for more than 40 years and a Crawford County resident for over 60. He retired from the cooperative after more than 31 years as a journeyman lineman, foreman and service lineman. “I enjoyed serving the membership face-to-face on a daily basis,” Staples said.

He and his wife, Anna, have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Shane and Bartley.  Staples has served on the Steelville City Council, his local church board, and is active in the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Crawford County Fair.  He also volunteers with Centershot, a youth group that teaches archery, responsibility and Christian values.

He said rising energy rates are one of his biggest concerns as a board candidate, and while he acknowledges that wholesale energy costs are increasing, he questions whether the board is doing enough to manage costs within their control. “The co-op’s 2023 IRS filing showed director compensation at over $230,000, including health insurance,” he said. “If elected, I won’t accept medical benefits – that alone could save nearly $25,000 a year. I’ll work to eliminate this cost entirely.”

He is concerned about the personal use of cooperative assets and what he sees as a lack of visible efforts to cut expenses. “I don’t see much discussion in board reports about reducing costs—just meetings about more meetings,” he said. Drawing on his decades of experience in electric line work, Staples believes he can help identify waste without compromising safety or reliability. “I won’t use this position to benefit myself, family or friends,” he said. “I’ll represent all members equally and focus on keeping our rates affordable."

Staples said he believes in Crawford Electric’s mission and that he can contribute to it in a positive way. “We have a great cooperative with excellent employees and staff dedicated to providing you great service. I’ve always worked hard at what I do and I do it well. I’ve heard work well done should be the opportunity to do more.  Please give me your vote to do just that.”