At the 2025 GVEC Annual Meeting, members welcomed two new directors to the Cooperative’s Board while also paying tribute to the lasting contributions of two longtime leaders.
Melvin Strey, District 7 Director and past Vice President of the GVEC Board, and Don Williams, District 10 Director and past President of DeWitt Electric Cooperative, each retired this year after decades of committed service. Both men played pivotal roles that strengthened the Cooperative’s ability to serve a broad membership base while maintaining local values and accountability.
Over the years, Strey and Williams were trusted voices on the board, known for their steady leadership, depth of experience and dedication to the Cooperative membership. Their influence helped guide GVEC through times of transformation, growth and modernization. On behalf of the entire cooperative family, I express my sincere gratitude to both men for their exceptional service and many lasting contributions.
To fill the District 7 and District 10 seats, members elected Dale Koehler of Marion and Timothy Boswell of Yoakum. Each brings a strong connection to their community along with professional experience that aligns with GVEC’s service-driven mindset of delivering essential services and planning for the future.
Dale Koehler, District 7 Director, brings valuable leadership and customer-focused experience to the board. Koehler earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in management from the University of Texas at San Antonio. A fourth-generation Marion resident, he spent 30 years in retail, including 21 years in management roles at major retailers, finishing his career as store manager of Seguin Walmart. Koehler retired from retail in 2014 and founded DMK Land Development, where he serves as president and general manager. His background in business operations and team leadership, along with his experience in land use and rural development, will benefit GVEC and the growing needs of our members.
Timothy “Tim” Boswell, District 10 Director, a lifelong Yoakum resident, holds a degree in computerized control systems and electrical engineering from Texas State Technical College in Waco. Boswell offers a fresh perspective to the board, backed by more than 20 years of experience in industrial construction and engineering. His work across the country has given him vast insight into project management and emerging technologies. Boswell and his wife Robin own Sweet Home Sand and Gravel, which also provides him with a solid understanding of the needs of local businesses and rural communities.
The addition of new voices alongside the legacy of former leaders reinforces the important roles the GVEC Directors play. Help me congratulate these Directors and honor the ongoing commitment to exceeding the expectations of our membership with trusted experience that has guided us for over 86 years. You can learn more about the entire GVEC board on our Leadership page.
As always, I welcome your feedback and encourage you to reach out with any questions or concerns by phone at 830.857.1152, by email at dschauer@gvec.org or by mail at P.O. Box 118, Gonzales, Texas 78629.
Pictured, left to right: Dale Koehler, Melvin Strey, Don Williams and Tim Boswell
