Hello, I am Jim Thies, your candidate for the Co-Mo Electric Board of Directors. I have been a member of Co-Mo electric since 2009 when we purchased our home and farm in Cooper County.

My wife, Paula, and I have been married for 47 years and have two daughters, Deanna Thies Schnuck (Art), and Jana Thies Lee (Tommy) who live and work in Co-Mo country. Also, I am the proud grandpa of three grandchildren, Rhett, Owen, and AJ.
 

I was raised on a family farm in Howard County, but both my maternal and paternal grandmother’s ancestors were part of the first settlers and farmers in the Tipton and Boonville area. My love from living in a rural area and farming comes from my deep roots in agriculture, so we started our own fruit and vegetable business thirty years ago, the Veggie Patch.
 

I graduated from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Master of Education in Practical Arts and Vocational Technical Education and Educational Specialist in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis. My career in agriculture took me to the classroom where I taught agriculture education at Paris and Glasgow for 33 years before retiring in 2010.
 

The boards I have served on include City of Glasgow council member for 10 years, Board of directors for the Columbia Farmers market for 12 years and agriculture and educational committees for our state. Most recently, I served on the program advisory committee for the Farm to School nutrition (F2S). In addition, Paula and I are members of SS. Peter & Paul Church in Boonville.
 

Living in a rural area all my life has provided me with the opportunity to see first-hand what demands are placed upon our Electric Cooperatives Board of Directors, employees, and staff. Serviced alongside the other Board of Directors, I feel my education, experience and knowledge will be an asset to help maintain a consistent, efficient, and affordable electric and communication services to our area and provide educational opportunities to the Board, employees, and staff.
 

Every day I thank God for the opportunity he has given me to teach and work with youth, to have a loving family that is close to me, the ability to farm, and the time to serve my community. I look forward to visiting with you at our annual meeting this spring and hope to be elected and serve you as a member of the Co-Mo Board of Directors.

​