The service area of Lorain-Medina Rural Electric is divided into nine districts, each with a member elected representative. Each district has one elected candidate to represent all of the members of that district for a term of three years. Board district map and district descriptions.
Members wanting to vie for the cooperative's board of directors must submit a nominating petition bearing at least 25 signatures from their respective districts. A maximum of two candidates per district can appear on the official ballot. Should more than two district candidates submit nominating petitions, a runoff district-wide election will be conducted in May. The two candidates receiving the highest number of votes in the district will have their names placed on the official ballot. The entire membership votes on candidates through mail/electronic ballot before the annual meeting. The results of the election will be announced at the annual meeting in July. View the director nomination and election schedule.
The Board of Directors meets monthly. They are responsible for setting the cooperative's policies and rates, approving contracts, and regularly reviewing the operating performance of the cooperative and its appointed management. As representatives of the rural community, they communicate the interests of the cooperative's membership.
Chair: Brenda Wolfe - District 7
Vice Chair: Joe Swinko - District 6
Secretary: Brady McCann - District 2
Treasurer: Keith E. Lowe - District 8
Nicholas Mencl - District 1
Director
51178 St. Rt. 162
New London, OH 44851
Phone: 419-651-2328
E-mail: nmencl@fesco-oh.org
Mr. Mencl was elected to serve on the LMRE Board of Directors in 2026. He currently works for ReSource Pro. as well as owns and operates his family farm alongside his wife and two sons. Mr. Mencl also serves as president for the Ruritan Club's New London chapter, and has previously acted as a coach for New London's Little League and Youth Basketball programs.
OCCUPATION: Technology Project Manager, ReSource Pro.
Brady T. McCann - District 2
Director
14583 Quarry Road
Oberlin, OH 44074
Phone: 216-225-5563
E-mail: bmccann@fesco-oh.org
McCann joined the Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative director in 2024.
OCCUPATION: Retired Environmental Engineering Flight Chief at the 910th Youngstown Air Reserve Station for the United States Department of Defense where he had been employed for 14 years, and recently retired from the United States Air Force as a Senior Master Sergeant in the Civil Engineer Squadron. He has also owned U.S. Construction since 1994.
Gary Broderick - District 3
Director
37756 Royalton Rd.
Grafton, OH 44044
Phone: 239-776-5678
Email: gbroderick@fesco-oh.org
Mr. Broderick was elected to serve on the LMRE Board of Directors in 2025. Since retiring in 2017 Broderick and his wife enjoy traveling 90 to 100 days per year.
OCCUPATION: Retired
Michael L. Sword - District 4
Director
47077 Peck Wadsworth Rd.
Wellington, OH 44090
Phone: 614-560-7962
E-mail: msword@fesco-oh.org
Mr. Sword was elected to serve on the LMRE Board of Directors in 2026. He currently works for The Ohio State University, where he has been for the past 17 years. Outside of work, Mr. Sword is a 4-H Advisor, participates in the New London Ruritan chapter, and acts as a Wellington Youth Basketball coach. He has previously served on the 4-H Advisory Council and has coached youth soccer and Hot Stove teams.
OCCUPATION: Superintendent, Farm Operations at The Ohio State University
Judy A. Pickworth - District 5
Director
14701 Whitehead Road
LaGrange, OH 44050
Phone: 440-355-6518
E-mail: jpickworth@fesco-oh.org
Pickworth was elected to the Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative board in July 2006. She received the NRECA Credentialed Cooperative Director certificate in 2007 and later received her NRECA Board Leadership Certificate, as well as the Director Gold Certificate. Pickworth has been involved in the county 4-H program for 31 years and has taught school for 28 years. She enjoys sewing, knitting, crocheting, baking, and spending time with her family.
OCCUPATION: Farmer and retired teacher
Joe Swinko - District 6
Director
9190 Crow Road
Litchfield, OH 44253
Phone: 330-772-6242
E-mail: jswinko@fesco-oh.org
Swinko filled the District 6 seat vacated by Roy Norris, in October 2018. He was elected to the Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative board in 2019. Swinko received the NRECA Credentialed Cooperative Director certificate. In his free time, he enjoys operating his family-owned Christmas Tree farm that they started in the spring of 2021.
OCCUPATION: Owner of Litchfield Accounting Service Inc.
Brenda J. Wolfe - District 7
Director/Secretary
381 Township Road 581
Sullivan, Ohio 44880
Phone: (440) 371-6438
E-mail: bwolfe@fesco-oh.org
Wolfe from Sullivan Township was appointed to the Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative Board of Directors in 2015. She currently serves as secretary of the Board, and she received the NRECA Credentialed Cooperative Director certificate. In her free time, she enjoys riding the motorcycle with her husband (as a passenger), camping, and making jewelry and crafts.
OCCUPATION: Administrative Services Manager for the law firm of Wickens Herzer Panza Co. in Avon.
Keith E. Lowe - District 8
Director/Treasurer
11195 Spencer Mills Road
Spencer, OH 44275
Phone: 330-620-0617
E-mail: klowe@fesco-oh.org
Lowe was elected to the Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative board in 1997. He currently serves as the board's treasurer, a position he has held since 1999. He earned his NRECA Credentialed Cooperative Director certificate in 2003.
OCCUPATION: Owner, KEL Nutrition.
Rick Dumperth - District 9
Director
6790 Rice Road
Spencer, OH 44275
Phone: (330-815-7413)
E-mail: rdumperth@fesco-oh.org
Dumperth was elected to the Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative board in 2022. Recently retired from Wolff Bros. Supply after a 42 year career, Dumperth enjoys spending his free time traveling with his wife Lora, and hunting, fishing, and camping with his grandsons. He also serves on several nonprofit boards for local organizations and is a Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 454 in Westfield Center.
OCCUPATION: Chatham Twp. Trustee