The 2021 Annual Meeting Director Election is open for proxy voting May 28 - June 18. Click here to learn more.
ABOUT
Leadership
The Board of Directors and GVEC management are committed to delivering quality services and products that not only meet, but exceed the expectations of GVEC members. The Board, elected by the membership, governs the business of GVEC. The management staff runs day-to-day operations.
The GVEC service area encompasses 3,500 square miles over 13 counties. It’s divided into 11 districts based on population. A Director from each district is elected to sit on the GVEC Board of Directors.
Square Miles
Counties
Districts
Board of Directors
The GVEC Board of Directors come from diverse backgrounds and all types of industries: banking, ranching, farming, education, oil, food, utilities and business. Just as importantly, they’re your neighbors and members, too, with families, businesses, careers and hobbies in the communities they represent.
Robert J. Werner
District 1
Robert J. Werner
Robert J. Werner
Robert J. Werner has been serving members in District 1 as a GVEC Board director since 1999. He holds a bachelor of business administration degree in management from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, and he and his wife own and operate Werner’s Restaurant in Shiner.
Lewis Borgfeld
President
District 2
Lewis Borgfeld
Lewis Borgfeld
President
Lewis Borgfeld has represented District 2 since 1973 when he was appointed as an Advisory Director. He was then elected to the Board in 1974, and in 1986, he was elected Board President. Borgfeld graduated from Schertz/Cibolo High School (now Samuel Clemens High School) and received a Bachelor of Science in Business Education from Southwest Texas State College. He previously served in the U.S. Navy Reserve, and after graduation from college, Borgfeld served as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force. Upon leaving the Air Force, he entered the banking profession and received a graduate banking degree from Louisiana State University (LSU).
He currently is executive vice president of Schertz Bank & Trust and is a past president and charter board member of the Tri-County Chamber of Commerce and past president of the Randolph Metrocom Rotary Club. He has been active in economic development activities in the Schertz and Cibolo communities as well as in the cattle raising business. Borgfeld's wife Lolly has been a longtime educator in the area and is past president of the SCUCISD Education Foundation.
Henry C. Schmidt Jr.
Sec./Treasurer
District 3
Henry C. Schmidt Jr.
Henry "Bubba" Schmidt Jr.
Secretary/Treasurer
District 3 is represented by Henry C. Schmidt Jr., who has served GVEC members since 2000. He graduated from Gonzales High School and holds an Associate of Applied Science in Business Management.
Schmidt, along with his brother and mother, is an owner of Schmidt and Sons, Inc., a fuel and lubricants distributer. He is also an owner in Apache Express Care and Hesco Maintenance Company, and raises registered Brangus cattle with his wife Debbie and son H.C. on their ranch in northeast Gonzales County.
Schmidt has also served his community as a Gonzales Volunteer Fire Department firefighter and a Gonzales County reserve deputy sheriff.
Shawn Martinez
District 4
Shawn Martinez
Shawn Martinez
Shawn Martinez, the representative for District 4, has served on the Board since 2009 and is also the first female Board member of GVEC. She has been in the banking industry since 1995 and currently is the Chief Credit Officer and a Senior Vice President at First Commercial Bank in Seguin. Shawn is an active member of the community, serving as past chairman of the Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce, a board member of the Zonta Club of Seguin, and on the board for Navarro Education Foundation.
Morris Harvey
District 5
Morris Harvey
Morris Harvey
Morris Harvey has served the members in District 5 since 2011. He graduated from Nixon High School and from Texas A&I University in Kingsville in agriculture education.
A lifelong rancher, Morris is also the owner and manager of Mustang Realty in Nixon, and is a broker, real estate professional inspector, and licensed appraiser. He has served his community as a member of the Nixon Hospital Board, Nixon Chamber of Commerce and as past director of the Feather Fest.
Joe A. Castilleja
District 6
Joe A. Castilleja
Joe A. Castilleja
Joe A. Castilleja of District 6 has served GVEC as a Director since 2017. A second-generation New Braunfelser, he is a graduate of New Braunfels High School and holds a BBA in Finance from Southwest Texas State University. A senior VP at Frost Bank, Castilleja was honored as the 2018 New Braunfels Citizen of the Year. Castilleja has served his community in many capacities: Wursfest Opa, New Braunfels Rotary Club, United Way of Comal County board member, New Braunfels Zoning Board of Adjustments, vice–chair of Planning and Zoning, 2013 and 2018 New Braunfels Bond Advisory Board, chair of the Unicorn Action PAC, and 2015 chair of the board for The Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce.
He has been married for 24 years to Kristy Castilleja, and they have two children—Dylan and Chloe. Castilleja is a proud member of the First United Methodist Church of New Braunfels.
Melvin E. Strey
Vice President
District 7
Melvin E. Strey
Melvin E. Strey
Vice President
Melvin E. Strey has served District 7 since 1977 and was elected Board Vice President in 1992. He was a high school mathematics teacher in the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City (SCUC) ISD from 1959 to 1989, and owner of Strey Insurance Agency in La Vernia from 1989 to 2007. In addition to his responsibilities on the GVEC Board, Strey is also president of the Board of Directors of East Central Special Utility District and former president of Canyon Regional Water Authority. Strey is a graduate of LaVernia High School. In Addition, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Texas Lutheran University and a master’s degree from Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University). In his community, he is active in the New Berlin Volunteer Fire Department and the New Berlin Community Club. Although officially retired, Director Strey is still involved with raising cattle along with associated hay and grazing activities.
Mark Roberts
District 8
Mark Roberts
Mark Roberts
Mark Roberts of District 8 has been a Board Director since November 2009. He grew up in Schertz and graduated from Samuel Clemens High School. He received an Associate degree of Applied Sciences from Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service in San Antonio and an accredited Automotive Management degree from the Automotive Management Institute (AMI) in Bedford, Texas.
Roberts owns multiple businesses, including Schertz Auto Service, Total True Automotive LLC, Pocket Pricing LLC and Roberts Properties Inc. He is an active member of the community and has served as a volunteer for many causes in and around the City of Schertz.
Gary Birdwell
District 9
Gary Birdwell
Gary Birdwell
Gary Birdwell was elected in 2018 to represent District 9. He holds an MBA in Marketing from the University of the Incarnate Word as well as a BBA in Human Resources from Stephen F. Austin State University. With over 34 years of insurance and leadership experience, Mr. Birdwell is currently an employee benefits consultant with GBMB Insurance Agency, LLC.
In addition to his extensive professional experience, Birdwell is a US Army veteran and is also an active member of the community, serving in leadership roles with various boards and organizations, including the University of the Incarnate Word Development Board, Northeast YMCA Board of Management and Christ Our King Anglican Church vestry.
Gary Birdwell and his wife Diane have three daughters, and they currently reside in Schertz.
Don Williams
District 10
Don Williams
Don Williams
District 10 is represented by Don Williams who has served as a Board director since 1992. He also serves on the Finance Committee at the First United Methodist Church. Williams previously served nine years as a director of DeWitt Electric Cooperative, two of those years were as Board president. Don is a graduate of Yoakum High School and holds a bachelor of science degree in education and business from Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University). He is retired from Hochheim Prairie Insurance and is currently a partner with Jacobs-Weber Insurance in Yoakum.
David Warzecha
District 11
David Warzecha
David Warzecha
David Warzecha, representing District 11, has served as a GVEC Board Director since 1993. Previously, he served as a director for DeWitt Electric Cooperative for eight years and held the office of secretary/treasurer.
A businessman and rancher, Warzecha has lived in Dewitt County for more than 60 years. He attended Lindenau and Westhoff schools, graduated from Cuero High School, attended Texas A&M University and received an associate degree from Victoria College.
Cooperative Management
Darren Schauer
General Manager/Chief Executive Officer
Darren Schauer
Darren Schauer
General Manager/ Chief Executive Officer
Darren Schauer is the General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of GVEC. He held several positions at the Cooperative prior to being named CEO in 2003. Mr. Schauer is a graduate of Texas A&M University, holding a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural economics and is a graduate of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association management intern program. He is a past Board Chairman of the Association of Texas Electric Cooperatives and a past board member of Texas Public Power Association and Power Across Texas. Additionally, Mr. Schauer serves on boards of numerous local community organizations.
Sean Alvarez
Chief Operating Officer
Sean Alvarez
Sean Alvarez
Chief Operating Officer
Sean Alvarez began his career at GVEC with a management internship which gave him extensive working knowledge in each area of the Cooperative. Since then, he has held several positions in the Cooperative and currently serves as Chief Operating Officer, overseeing GVEC’s six divisions. Alvarez, who played baseball on scholarship from Texas A&M University, holds a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology. He is also a graduate of the Robert I. Kabit Management Internship Program, sponsored by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, and is a past member of the executive committee for the Education Foundation Board for the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD, the Gonzales Rotary Club and Randolph Metrocom Rotary Club. Alvarez and his family live in New Braunfels.
Gary Korn
Chief Financial Officer
Gary Korn
Gary Korn
Chief Financial Officer
Gary Korn began his career with GVEC in 2014 as Controller. He took over as Chief Financial Officer in 2019, overseeing the financial affairs of the Cooperative’s Electric and Internet divisions, as well as GVEC’s affiliates, GVEC Home Services, Inc. and Guadalupe Valley Development Corporation. He also oversees the Finance, Accounting and Power Supply departments. Prior to GVEC, he worked as a senior auditor for the international accounting firm Ernst and Young, followed by serving as CFO at Victoria Mortgage Company and later at Periodical Services Incorporated and Mercury Retail Services, Inc. Korn holds a BBA in Accounting from the University of Texas at Austin, is a Certified Public Accountant and has a Cooperative Financial Professional Certificate. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants. Korn and his wife reside in Seguin.
Ashley Coburn
Chief People Officer
Ashley Coburn
Ashley Coburn
Chief People Officer
Ashley Coburn began her career at GVEC in 2008 as a Customer Service Representative and now serves as Chief People Officer. Prior to her current role, Coburn served in several roles across the organization and spent time with each area of the Cooperative to better understand organizational business and cultural strategy. In her role as Chief People Officer, Coburn is responsible for developing and implementing the strategy to drive a culture that maximizes the potential of employees and the organization. Her activities include overseeing Human Resources and employee development efforts to strengthen relationships between and among employees while promoting the cooperative’s vision, mission, and values. Coburn holds a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from Texas A&M University. She currently resides with her family in Shiner.
Graham Hauptman
Senior Executive Manager
Graham Hauptman
Graham Hauptman
Senior Executive Manager
Hauptman’s career at GVEC began in 2017 in the Cooperative’s Management Training Program. In 2018, he was promoted to Operations Manager of GVEC’s Beyond the Meter business, which include AC/Heating, Electrician and Solar services, being promoted to Executive Manager in 2019. In 2021, he was named Senior Executive Manager of Marketing. While continuing to oversee all of GVEC’s Beyond the Meter services, Hauptman currently also oversees Marketing, Communications, Community Relations, Economic Development and Business Development for all of GVEC. Hauptman earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Business Management from Texas Tech University. Prior to joining GVEC, he served as an officer in the United States Air Force for almost 12 years. Having served as both a pilot and navigator, Hauptman participated in several deployments to combat zones around the world. In 2019, the New Braunfels Jaycees, Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce and New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung awarded him one of that year’s 20 Under 40, Rising Stars of New Braunfels. Hauptman and his family live in New Braunfels.
Ceason Barnick
Senior Executive Manager
Ceason Barnick
Ceason Barnick
Senior Executive Manager
Ceason Barnick began her career at GVEC in 1996 as a data entry clerk. Today, she is a Senior Executive Manager of Customer Relations, overseeing Customer Service, Consumer Information Systems, Internet services, Field Communications, Project Planning, Field Engineering and Design, Real Estate and ROW Management, and Commercial and Industrial Accounts. Prior to her current role, Barnick held several positions which put her on the ground floor of many of the Cooperative’s innovations in customer service, account management and technology, including the development of GVEC.net. Barnick and her family live in Gonzales.
Robert B. Christmas
Senior Executive Manager
Robert B. Christmas
Robert B. Christmas
Senior Executive Manager
Bobby Christmas has worked for GVEC 39 years, starting out as a groundman in 1981. Today he is Senior Executive Manager of Compliance, Safety, Loss Control, Transportation and Facilities. He holds an Applied Arts and Sciences Degree from Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University). Christmas is co-founder and Chairman of the Board of the Texas Lineman’s Rodeo Association, Inc., board member of the Texas Electric Power Conference and a member of the Texas Regional 11 Flood Planning Group. He is also a member of the Texas Reliability Entity Member Representatives Committee, a Certified Utility Safety Professional and a Ray Pantel Meritorious Service Award Recipient for contributions to the TEC Loss Control Program and Leadership in Safety. Bobby and his wife are active members of the Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in New Braunfels.
Tammy Thompson
Senior Executive Manager
Tammy Thompson
Tammy Thompson
Senior Executive Manager
Tammy Thompson is Senior Executive Manager of Business and Brand Development. She began her career with the Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative in 2008.
Her role as senior executive manager of business and brand development includes overseeing the areas of marketing, communications, community relations, economic development and business development for the Cooperative services of electricity, internet, AC/heating, electrician and solar services, and economic development. Thompson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in business from Concordia University Texas, is a member of the American Marketing Association, and has served as a marketing and public relations professional for over 20 years. She resides with her family in Seguin, TX.
Jeff Strahl
Executive Manager
Jeff Strahl
Jeff Strahl
Executive Manager
Jeff Strahl is Executive Manager of IT services. His career at GVEC began in 2015 as part of the IT managerial team, where he started as IT Operations Manager. In 2018, Strahl was appointed to his current position on GVEC’s executive management team. In this role, he oversees the architecture, engineering, and operation of GVEC’s corporate and customer serving networks. This includes technology selection; acquisition and implementation; cyber security; talent acquisition and training; and cooperative-wide IT training initiatives. He and his family live in New Braunfels.
Ky Slone
Executive Manager
Ky Slone
Ky Slone
Executive Manager
Slone’s career at GVEC began in 2015 as a Management Analyst and Project Coordinator. He was named to his current position in 2019, overseeing a team of analysts that assess and forecast energy needs and manage the Cooperative’s long- and short-term power-supply contracts, tariff and rates, wholesale metering, and demand response assets. Slone earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Wind Energy from Texas Tech University, a master’s certificate in applied project management from Villanova University and a master’s degree in business administration from the Rice University Jones School of Business. He’s also a graduate of the Robert I. Kabat Management Internship Program, sponsored by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and the University of Wisconsin – Madison, and holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) license. Slone is an active member of his community, serving on the Canyon Regional Water Authority Board of Managers and the New Braunfels Public Library Advisory Board, and is a current member of the Rotary Club of New Braunfels. In 2019, the New Braunfels Jaycees, Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce and New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung awarded him as one of that year’s 20 under 40 Rising Stars of New Braunfels. Slone and his wife, Kayley, live in New Braunfels, Texas.
Did you know GVEC offers more than electricity? Learn about our other services: AC/Heating sales and service, high-speed wireless and Fiber optic Internet service, solar technology and more.
