DISTRICT 4 DIRECTOR CANDIDATES
WILLIAM ALLEN JR.
William is a 7th generation vegetable, tobacco, beef cattle, grain farmer, and small business owner of Allen Farms Produce, in Frazer, KY. He is a 2005 graduate of Wayne County High School and 2009 graduate of the University of Kentucky, where he majored in Agricultural Economics and minored in Business. He earned his American FFA degree in 2006. He is an active member of the Wayne County Cattlemen's Association. He served on the Somerset Southern States Cooperative Board of Directors from 2015-2019. He currently serves on the Wayne County Farm Bureau Board of Directors and has since 2010. He also serves on the Wayne County Agricultural Development, Inc., and the Kentucky Farm Bureau Tobacco Advisory Committee.
William and his wife, Samantha, are members of First Christian Church in Monticello. They have two children, Henry and Tate. He was awarded the 2023 Wayne County Farm Bureau Young Farm Family of the Year. He was also a recipient of the 2023 South Central Kentucky 40 Under 40 Awards for professional excellence as well as civic and community engagement.
William believes that technology and efficiency are vital to the success of his small business. Integrating cutting-edge technology into his agricultural practices such as irrigation systems, fertigation techniques, and precision planting methods has allowed him to not only enhance productivity, but also minimize resource usage and maximize crop yield. His innovative mindset will help him be an effective and efficient leader for South Kentucky RECC. If elected, William wants members to know their voices matter and he will do his best to represent them. He is committed to making a positive impact for South Kentucky RECC. (Photo by Kellie Carter Photography)
WEBB UPCHURCH
Richard (Webb) Upchurch is a lifelong resident of Wayne County. He and his wife Jody have been married for twenty-five years. They have five children.
Webb is a 1993 graduate of Wayne County High School. He also attended Somerset Community College.
Webb has been in the residential housing industry for over thirty years. He holds a master license in HVAC, plumbing and electric and is the owner/operator of Upchurch Plumbing and Heating (a business started by his father over fifty years ago).
Webb has attended Mt. Zion Baptist Church his entire life. He has served there in many various roles throughout the years, including as a trustee and Sunday school teacher. He was ordained as a deacon one year ago.
Webb enjoys attending his children’s sporting events and farming in his free time. He has a small herd of beef cattle, as well as a flock of hair sheep. He is also a beekeeper and currently serves as president of the Wayne County Honeybee Association.
As a Master Electrician, Webb is already very familiar with many of the SKRECC policies and personnel. While performing his business duties, he has daily interactions with members in District 4, as well as other districts. Through these interactions, he is made aware of their concerns related to the cooperative. He desires to be their representative and voice, striving to make the cooperative beneficial to all stakeholders. (Submitted photo)
DISTRICT 7 DIRECTOR CANDIDATES
LEE COFFEE
Lee is a resident of Pulaski County, growing up in Eubank, where he still lives with his wife Terri. He's a graduate of Eubank High School. He is a veteran.
Lee has worked in the building trade for over 50 years. He's also a master electrician.
From 2012-2016, Lee served as a South Ky RECC director, during which he also served as representative on the East Ky Power Cooperative Board.
During his term as Director, Lee considered it an honor to serve the member-owners of the co-op, always carefully weighing the impact and consequence of each and every issue and ultimate decision. (Photo by Justin Mayfield)
BRENT TACKETT
Brent Tackett is a lifelong resident of Pulaski County. He graduated from Eubank High School and Eastern Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Science, Master of Science and Rank I in Administration and Supervision. He spent over 46 years as an educator, coach and athletic director, working in the Pulaski, Somerset and Science Hill School Systems. During that time, he served as a mentor to countless youth.
Brent was inducted to the 12th Region Boys’ Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame and is a member of the Kentucky High School Coaches Association.
In addition to his teaching and coaching career, Brent has been actively involved in the life of his church, First Christian, Somerset, where he has served as Elder, Trustee and Administrative Board Member.
Brent is a lifetime farmer. He and his wife of 56 years, Anne Hoffman Tackett, reside on their family farm in Eubank, KY. They have two children, Jim Tackett and Christy (Rodney) Oakes and four grandchildren; Anne Meredith Oakes, Grant Oakes, Caroline Oakes and Camden Tackett.
Brent has had the privilege of representing the members of SKRECC as a Board Member for the past 8 years. In order to better serve the members, he has attended numerous director trainings through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and has obtained the highest level of certification (i.e., Gold Certificate Status.)
Brent has been honored to be a voice for each individual served by the cooperative. He thoroughly understands the importance of efficient, affordable and reliable electricity to rural residents. If given the opportunity to continue in this role, Brent pledges his integrity, honesty, transparency, fairness to all, leadership, and dedication to each member. He will work tirelessly to promote no agenda other than what is in the best interest of the people he serves. (Photo by Tommy Wilson Photography)