With the start of a new year and recent staff changes and retirements, Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative has several position updates to announce:

• Operations Manager Tim Bowley (Monticello, Indiana) has been hired to replace retiree Ted Slusser.
• Part-time cashier Kathy Kuckuck (Paulding, Ohio) has been hired to replace Valerie Bohner.
• Engineering Intern Hunter Kauser (Paulding, Ohio) has been hired after a successful Paulding High School “Panthers to Careers” job discernment program.
• Communications Coordinator Samantha Kuhn (Defiance, Ohio) has been promoted to Marketing and Communications Manager after Erika Willitzer’s departure.

Ready to get to know PPEC’s new hires? Don’t miss these Q&A sessions below to learn more about the faces behind your power! We proudly welcome all new staffers to our co-op team.

Operations Manager Tim Bowley of Monticello, Indiana

• Tell us about your family and personal life.

“My wife, Melissa, and I have been married for 20 years and have 3 sons, 2 granddaughters, and 3 grandsons. We currently live in Monticello, Indiana, and are currently looking for a place to get moved over after our home sells.”

• Can you tell us about your work history?

“I was a Lineman at Carroll White REMC in Monticello, Indiana, for the first 13 years and moved into the Line Superintendent position of the south office 4 years ago.

• Why did you want to work for PPEC?

“The reputation of the co-op and the people who work here is highly regarded around both the states of Ohio and Indiana.”

• What sorts of tasks will you be doing?

“I will be working to make as smooth as possible of a transition in the operations department after Ted Slusser retires.”

• What are you looking forward to?

“I am looking forward to finding my place at PPEC and hope to add value to the co-op.”

• What are some of your hobbies/interests outside of work?

“I collect glass insulators and dabble in woodworking when I have time.  I enjoy watching my grandkids play baseball, football, and softball. I have umpired fastpitch softball and baseball off and on for the last 10 years or so.”

• What’s a fun fact about you?

“I am a Purdue fan and a Dallas Cowboys fan (I know, I know) from living in Texas for a time as a child and learning to play football there.  You had to be a fan of Dallas or Houston, and I couldn’t bring myself to root for a team called the Oilers!”

• What’s a quote that inspires you or that you like to live by?

“I have 3:

• “The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago.”
• “The second-best time is today.”
• “There is no such thing as a free lunch!”

Part-time Cashier Kathy Kuckuck of Paulding, Ohio

• Tell us about your family and personal life.

“I’ve been married to my husband, Bill, for 19 years. We have 4 very active children: Dylan is 17, Carlea is 16, Xander is 13, and Kayde is 11.”

• Why did you want to work at PPEC?

“I’ve run my own business for 12 years. I saw the opportunity to work part time back in the workforce, and this seemed like the perfect fit!”

• What sorts of tasks will you be doing?

“I’ll be covering the front desk – member service, taking payments, answering phones… anything that’s needed. ?”

• What are you looking forward to?

“Learning more about the co-op and being comfortable enough with that to perform my job well.”

• What are some of your hobbies/interests outside of work?

“I am a full-time, on-location photographer. That was a hobby that turned into a career. I love watching, playing, and coaching basketball.”

• What’s a fun fact about you?

“I am addicted to cruising! I try to go on multiple cruises a year. If you see me on break, don’t be surprised to see me searching for cruise deals!”

Q&A with Engineering Intern Hunter Kauser of Paulding, Ohio

• Why did you want to intern at PPEC?

“To help me understand what an electrical engineer does and to help make a decision if this is what I want to go to college for.”

• What sorts of tasks will you be doing?

“Right now, filling paper into NISC. Once school is over, I will be going out in the field helping Steve and Rob and doing meter readings.”

• What are you most looking forward to?

“Going out in the field and understanding what each part does in the substation, how the poles are set up, and why.”

• What are some of your hobbies/interests outside of work?

“Sports, weightlifting, and friends”

• What’s a fun fact about you?

“My family and friends call me Wingnut.”