In 1981, Margaret Foutch was contacted by White County REMC member Alice Goss and asked to put her name on the slate for a director’s seat at White County REMC. The rest of the story is one of change and dedication of a cooperative and a rural woman who gave 44 years of her life to serve REMC with dedication and heart.
“They needed two candidates for the slate to represent our district, so I told Alice, ‘Yes’,” said Margaret. “My parents always attended the Annual Meeting. I won that election, and they told me congratulations…probably. When I was first elected, I thought, ‘What am I getting into?’ At my very first REMC meeting, I said, ‘Don’t make me an officer.’” What began as uncertainty for Foutch quickly evolved into confidence and valued contributions.
FOUR DECADES OF CHANGE
Foutch grew up in Round Grove on the Eberle family farm. In 1963, she graduated from Wolcott High School and has always lived on the western side of White County. “I’ve always thought it was important for the west side of the service territory to have strong representation on the REMC board,” said Foutch.
“In 1981, when I joined the board, Darrell Gilbert was CEO. Bob Dever took over in 1985.” Foutch has served six CEOs and helped guide the cooperative through many changes, including a major consolidation. “Serving on this board is so interesting,” she said. Technology has certainly changed how we do business, and we have more employees than before the consolidation. We have such good employees. We are a family.”
“Forty-four years ago, the first space shuttle, Columbia, traveled on its maiden journey; MTV launched, and IBM introduced its first personal computer,” said CEO Cathy Raderstorf. “Things have certainly changed in 44 years, but one constant thing was Margaret’s sound reasoning as a board member. She always kept the member in focus during any discussions. She truly kept us grounded in many ways. Her years of service are a true testimony to her dedication to the members. We have been blessed by her contributions.”
SERVING THROUGH THE CONSOLIDATION
Foutch was instrumental in the consolidation process between Carroll County REMC and White County REMC. “The consolidation process was tedious,” said Foutch. “We shared a CEO for three years. The first vote failed, but I think we had stronger communications the second time. It was hard for each cooperative to let some things go, but I believe it has been successful. For certain, there have been substantial cost savings.”
“The REMC Board of Directors is responsible for the financial condition of the cooperative and the CEO,” stated Foutch. “One of the toughest decisions I experienced on the board was having to let a CEO go.”
“Everyone I’ve served with on the board always does their best,” reflected Foutch. “The pace of business doesn’t compare to when I started in 1981. It’s a much faster pace, and our energy sources have evolved. Then, our energy was mainly coal-based. Today, there is a wide variety of energy sources.”
Current President Kent Zimpfer has served with Foutch since becoming a board member in 2016. “Margaret is such a role model for what acooperative board member should strive to be. I have learned so much from her about the cooperative business model, and she has mentored me as I have learned this industry. She will leave a great legacy of service and dedication to our members,” said Zimpfer.
“The co-op offers so much to directors,” said Foutch. “There are a variety of educational opportunities across the state. I’ve met directors from all over Indiana. They are good people and good friends. You can’t put a value on the people you meet. I’ve traveled to places I wouldn’t have seen without the cooperative connection.”
Another significant change for the cooperative, which is sometimes forgotten, was the relocation of the office to its current location. “That was a ‘wow’ moment,” remembered Foutch. “Here were 17 acres inside the city limits for us to utilize. The decision was made to purchase and renovate on this site, and the rest is history. This location has served members well.”
THE GIFT OF NEGOTIATION
Foutch is a humble person, and when asked what she thought her biggest contribution to the board has been, she hesitated while reflecting. Casey Crabb, CW REMC Communication & Public Relations Director, has no pause in stating her value. “Margaret is a strong voice of reason in the boardroom. She is calm. She has common sense. When conversations swing, she can rein it in to what is truly important. She has a unique gift in negotiation.”
“It has been an honor to serve with Margaret,” said Zimpfer. “She has meant so much to the board for 44 years and has always been a strong advocate for all members, especially those in her district in the southwest part of our territory. She will be missed.”
Foutch reflected on CW REMC’s future. “Moving forward, I think the biggest challenge facing the cooperative is keeping power costs down,” stated Foutch. “My best advice to my successor would be to work well with the board. There will be a difference of opinion at times, but once a decision is made, it’s universal. And always, use discretion.”
“To all the CW REMC members I have represented over these 44 years, I want to say, ‘Thank you’. Thank you for electing me for all these years. It has been an honor to serve you.”
Whether you are sitting with Foutch around her kitchen table on the farm with a view of a treasured homestead or sitting with her in a boardroom, Foutch is a humble, gentle force of reason and grit.
THE FOUTCH FAMILY FARM
When Margaret Foutch became a widow, she took over the farm responsibilities. She continues to farm with her two sons, Brian and Craig.
“The biggest learning curve in farming was in the first 10 years,” Foutch said. “It was an education for me to drive a two-ton truck to Brookston. We raised popcorn at that time, and I had to drive it to Brookston.”
“I’ve always said I was the one who took care of the rocks on the farm,” said Foutch, “I mowed all the roadsides.” She has and still delivers meals to the fields.
A big event for the Foutch family was hosting the legendary Farm Progress Show. They hosted in 1982. “White County REMC had to run all the electricity to the farm for the show,” said Foutch. “The show organizers built an airport on the farm. It was a huge event and a highlight for our farm.”
The Farm Progress Show began in 1953 when Prairie Farmer magazine teamed with WLS Radio in Chicago to host a field day where farmers could see first-hand the progress being made in farming equipment, along with seed varieties and agricultural chemicals. In later years, the show evolved to include seed test plots and field demonstrations. Over the three-day event, thousands of people attended.
Foutch has three grown grandchildren: Jacob, Robin, and Olivia (Liv). Robin recently got married. Foutch serves as the West Point Township Trustee. She is a member of the White County Extension Homemakers and the Wolcott Methodist Church.
