Wood County Electric Cooperative's board of directors has appointed longtime WCEC member, Kenneth R. Langley, as the representative of WCEC's district three. Langley replaces Dennis Wright, who has resigned after 35 years of dedicated board service.
Langley will serve the remainder of Wright's three year term. WCEC's district three encompasses the areas of Hainesville, Hawkins, Hoard, Pine Mills, Red Springs and Winona, as well as areas east of Lindale and Mineola.
Wright began serving on the WCEC Board in 1981. In addition to serving as the district three representative, he has also acted as vice president of the board since 1998. During Wright's tenure, he achieved the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association's highest certification, Credentialed Cooperative Director.
Board President Pat Lindley expressed his thanks for Wright's dedication to WCEC's members, "Our cooperative has seen extraordinary growth and vast technology changes over Dennis' 35 years of service. He has helped shepherd the cooperative into a new era, while remaining focused on balancing safety, efficiency, affordability and reliability. He has been a steady, thoughtful and conservative guide. I value our time spent together on the board, as well as his personal friendship."
Langley, a WCEC member since 1988, was born and raised in Winona, TX. He attended high school there, followed by studies at Tyler Junior College and the National Fire Academy. He was a career firefighter, serving with the Tyler Fire Department where he achieved the rank of Captain before retiring after over 30 years of service. He also owned and operated two businesses - Ken's Country Store and Red Springs Feed, both in Red Springs.
Over the years, Langley has served his community as both a director and president of the board of Winona Independent School District. For over 20 years he has served as a board member of Sand Flat Water Supply, where he is the secretary/treasurer. He is a past board member of the Smith County Jr. Livestock Show and a lifetime member and committeeman of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
He and his wife of over 40 years, Rosie, reside on their working cattle ranch near Red Springs. They have three children and 8 grandchildren.
Of Langley's appointment, Lindley said, "Kenneth has dedicated his life to public service, not only with his profession, but with acts of long-term volunteerism. His understanding of utility systems, emergency response, board governance, and volunteerism, should serve the membership well. The entire board is pleased to have him join us."
