OEC Board of Directors

Elected to the board in August 2006, Mike Argo represents co-op members who reside in District 1, which covers Norman and its surrounding area. He currently holds the office of Vice-President.

Mike is no stranger to OEC members. He has lived in Norman for the past 52 years. He retired from the U.S. Postal Service in October 2011. He still farms and ranches northeast of Norman.

OEC’s newest trustee is Percy Moreu, who was appointed to the board in August 2011. A land developer, Percy first became acquainted with OEC employees in the early '70s when the co-op was the only electric service provider willing to build line to his rural property east of Noble.

Percy and his wife, Susan, both former educators, raise horses on their homestead, which they christened "Carriage Hill Farms." They also host special events—everything from weddings to corporate retreats--on their farm.

Cleveland County native Rusty Grissom is president of OEC's board of trustees. He was elected in 2001 to represent the members in District 3, located in the southeast part of the co-op's service area. In addition, Rusty is OEC's voice on the board of Western Farmers Electric Cooperative, the generation and transmission cooperative that supplies power to OEC.

Rusty owns and operates Grissom's Landscape Nursery in Noble, where he lives with his wife, Tammy. The couple has two children, daughter Whitney and son Taylor.

Ronnie Grover, past-president, is the trustee for District 4, He joined the OEC board in 1999.

Ronnie brings a broad spectrum of experiences to the board room. For 12 years he served on the McClain County Soil Conservation Board, and he currently is secretary-treasurer for the Newcastle Fair Board and sits on the McClain County Farmers Union Board. As a farmer, he understands running a business and is familiar with the needs of the neighbors he represents. As a trustee on OEC's board, Ronnie says his goal is to act in the best interests of his constituency.

Ronnie and his wife, Carol, live in Newcastle. Two children and four grandchildren complete their family.

One of the most seasoned members of the board is District 5 trustee Frank Wilson, who has been serving in this capacity since January 1978. He currently holds the office of Secretary-Treasurer. Frank is OEC's longtime representative on the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives board of directors.

Before retiring in 1999, Frank was a self-employed businessman. These days, in addition to his work for OEC, Frank spends his time fishing, gardening, on wood-working projects and following OU sports. He lives in Noble and has two children.

John Jensen, now in his fourth term, joined OEC's board of trustees in the fall of 1997. John represents the members in District 6, which covers a large portion of McClain County, including Goldsby, Blanchard, Dibble and Purcell.

The Jensen family lives in the Washington area. John operates a crop/livestock business and also deals in real estate. The couple has two children, Tommy, and Amanda.

Verle Barnes moved to Tuttle in 1936, where he and his wife, Betty, farmed their land and raised their family. For more than a quarter of a century, he has served the area on OEC’s board as District 7 trustee. He currently holds the office of assistant secretary-treasurer.

The couple, now retired, has two daughters, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Verle also is a deacon at the First Baptist Church in Tuttle.

Norman native Bob Usry, a self-employed businessman and a philanthropic role model, is the trustee for District 8. He joined the board April 2004.

Before being named a trustee, Bob spent more than 11 years volunteering on the OEC Foundation board, helping to oversee the distribution of cooperative members' Operation Round Up® contributions.

In addition to managing Bob Usry and Sons, Inc., his plumbing company, Bob is chairman of his church's board of directors and is an adult Sunday school teacher. He is a charter member of the Sooner Rotary Club, and is past-president of the United Way of Norman.

Bob and Ellen, his wife of more than 43 years, and have two boys, both of whom work at the family's business, two grandsons and two granddaughters. Bob enjoys singing, riding his motorcycle and loving on his grandchildren.

Jim Martin, a native of Grady County, joined the board in the fall of 1997. Jim represents the members in District 9.

Jim served on the Amber-Pocasset School Board for 11 years, and was an active FFA parent while daughters Amy and Jamie were growing up. He is past-president of the Grady County Cattlemen's Association.

Jim and his wife, Melinda, who works for the Grady County assessor's office, live on the Martin family farm east of Amber. He enjoys golfing and fishing.