Dr. S. J. Smith

Dr. S.J. Smith is an 18 year veteran on the Wells Rural Electric Board. Joe says he has a deep affinity for the co-op concept. “From the staff at WREC, to the directors, and the members, the whole organization is a grassroots project that demonstrates the solid values we respect.

“In 1958, the original organizers could not find investors who thought they could make a profit on a plan to bring electricity to this community and the surrounding rural areas. They turned to REA and the co-op philosophy which has worked so well for us,” Joe says. “The people did it themselves.”

Joe says, “Among people who are in a position to know how co-op’s structure rates, and offer service, those people think very highly of Wells Rural Electric. “There are about 1000 rural electric co-ops in the country, and we are in the top five or ten percent. Still we look for ways to improve.”

Dr. Joe Smith and his wife Jody came to Wells from Twin Falls, Idaho in 1982. They had been on a trip looking for a place to relocate their medical practice. They were marooned in Wells by a blizzard that closed US 93 North. The forced stopover allowed time for concerned citizens to lobby the doctor into considering setting up his practice in the local clinic. The proposition took some consideration, however, Dr. Joe and his family of four boys made the decision to move to Wells. Though Joe and Jody enjoyed rearing four sons and the part-time rearing of two daughters from Joe’s first marriage, the apple of grandpa’s eye is eight-year old Brittany, the granddaughter who lives with them while her father, Josh, serves in the Armed Services.

Joe says that he is proud to serve as a director on the WREC Board. He is a Credentialed Certified Director, as all Wells Rural Board Directors must be to continue serving. Joe says that it costs about $50,000 to educate a director. “The cost is an investment in the leadership of the Board.”

Joe adds, “I represent every member in the service area equally. There are no voter districts as the Board is concerned that the districts could become cumbersome and divisive.”
Joe says the co-op has been a success since its inception in 1960. “It was a good organization when I was elected to the Board and I hope to do my part to see that it continues to serve its members well.”

This director says his goal is to look for efficiencies that will protect the rate structure without interfering with WREC’s safety record. “We know that electrical rates will increase. We hope to effectively manage the rate structure.”

“ Being a director on the WREC Board is totally unrelated to anything else I’ve ever been involved in. I enjoy the challenge of dealing with the complex issues facing our co-op,” Joe says.