Each year at our Annual Meeting, three districts are up for election. Directors will be voted on at our Annual Meeting on June 12 at Wayne City Schools. Each membership will vote for one director for each open position, whether they live in that district or not.
The following members have completed the requirements and expressed interest to serve as a director for Wayne-White Electric Cooperative.
VERNON GWALTNEY - DISTRICT #2
Vernon Gwaltney was appointed to the Wayne-White Electric Cooperative Board of Directors in November 2025 after long-time Director Dale Harris moved out of the Wayne-White Electric Cooperative territory.
He has been nominated to serve a first full term as Director in District #2. Vernon lives south of Fairfield with his wife Mary Lou at 1723 County Road 350 N, Fairfield. They have three adult children: Kiley Gwaltney, Kayla Keck, and Katy Stinson.
A Wayne-White Electric Cooperative member since 1975, Vernon previously served on the Wayne-White Electric Board of Directors from 1984 to 1996.
As a director in the 1980s and 1990s, Vernon completed several electric cooperative director training courses.
Vernon is a retired grain and livestock farmer who earned Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Southern Illinois University.
He held various offices during a twelve-year stint on the Fairfield Community High School Board.
Vernon and Mary Lou attend the New Hope General Baptist Church where he is a trustee.
BLAINE NORTON - DISTRICT #2
William “Blaine” Norton has expressed interest in serving as your Director in District #2.
Blaine and his wife Cheri live in rural Fairfield at 1905 County Road 925 N Lane and have been members of Wayne-White Electric Cooperative since 2003. They have three adult children: Zachary, Caleb and Katelyn.
Blaine works in nuclear medicine and holds several different degrees including: Associate of Applied Science in Radiological Sciences from Olney Central College; Certificate in Nuclear Medicine Technology from Baptist College of Health Sciences; Bachelor of Science in Health Management from the University of St. Francis; Master Degree of Imaging Science, Nuclear Medicine Advanced Association from the University of Arkansas School for Medical Sciences.
Along with his degrees and certifications, he is a Board Member on the Advanced Associate Council for the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, as well as a member of the Society of Nuclear Medicine; American Society of Radiologic Technologists; AHRA: The American Association for Medical Imaging Management.
Locally, Blaine has been a part or is still a part of many different organizations. He was a former board member of the Solid Rock Teen Center and Senior Commander of Royal Rangers Outpost #197. He’s also been a board member at New Beginning’s Church in Fairfield, which his family attends; President of Jasper School Board, various positions on the Board of Governors of Wabash and Ohio Valley Special Education District, Chief Medical Officer/Deputy Director for the Wayne County Emergency Management Agency, Coached for Upward Basketball, Fairfield Summer League Baseball and Softball; Vice President of the Fairfield High School Mulebackers Association; and a member of the Sons of
the American Revolution.
He is currently a member of the Patriot Guard, Modern Woodman Fraternity and the Wayne County Historical Society.
Living in Fairfield for over 30 years now, Blaine strongly considered being a lineman before entering medicine. He now enjoys spending time with his family and friends, as well as traveling, anything related to history or science and serving the community.
NICK MCKINNEY - DISTRICT #3
Nick McKinney has expressed interest in serving as your Director in District #3.
Nick and his wife Samantha live at 2695 County Road 1755 N, Mt. Erie, with their children Nathan and Wyatt. They have been Wayne-White Electric Cooperative members since 2002.
Nick works as a grain farmer and runs McKinney Mowing and Baling. He also works as a substitute rural mail carrier in Cisne, as well as doing construction work in the offseason of farming.
Nick obtained his Associate Degree in HVAC work from Rend Lake College, followed by a Bachelor Degree in Industrial Technology from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
Along with his work, Nick is a Ruritan member and serves as the head trustee at the Mt. Erie Church of the Nazarene.
RYAN DUCKWORTH - DISTRICT #3
Ryan Duckworth has expressed interest in serving as your Director in District #3.
Ryan lives at 1809 County Highway 8, Fairfield. He has three children, Luke, Lydia and Wade Duckworth, and is engaged to long-time hair stylist J’ne McGehee of Fairfield.
Born and raised in northern White County, Ryan moved south of Fairfield into southern Wayne County in 2012. Ryan has been a member of Wayne-White Electric Cooperative since 1997.
Ryan is a local farmer and part-owner of Duckworth and Smith Farms, Inc., growing corn and beans.
He obtained his Associate of Applied Science Degree at Wabash Valley College, followed by a Bachelor Degree in Agri-Business Economics from Southern Illinois University - Carbondale.
Ryan is a current member of Central Christian Church in Mt. Vernon. He previously served as the secretary for the Fairfield Rural Fire Department Board, as well as being a former member on the New Hope Grade School Board.
When not at work, you can find Ryan at his youngest son Wade’s sporting events, including wrestling, football, baseball and track and field. He also enjoys camping and boating with his family at Lake Barkley in Kentucky.
DAVID HUNSINGER - DISTRICT #6
David Hunsinger has been nominated to serve a first full term as Director in District #6.
David was appointed to the Wayne-White Electric Cooperative Board in February 2024, to fill an unexpired term.
David and his wife Michelle live at 636 County Road 100 N, Carmi. They have been members of Wayne-White Electric Cooperative since 1995.
David works as a grain farmer and Manager of Oilwell Service at Eastern Services.
Michelle and David have four children: Danielle Burzynski, Lauren Fechtig, Andrew Hunsinger, and Alex Hunsinger.
His memberships include the White County Farm Bureau, Fairfield Gun Club, and the Norris City United Methodist Church.