Lee Hein
Lee Hein - Monticello

Running for Region 1 - Jones County and portions of Cedar & Linn Counties

Lee and his wife Jacky have two children and three grandchildren. Lee was born and raised near Monticello, Iowa. In 1981, he established Witsam Inc., the family’s farming operation that includes 900 acres of corn and soybeans as well as 1500 head of cattle and 3200 pig spaces they custom feed for JBS Pork. Lee was on the Iowa House of Representatives for 12 years, serving as Chairman of the Ways & Means Committee for four of those years, Ag Chairman for three years, Environment Protection Chairman for two years and Assistant Leader for two years. He has been a lifelong MVEC member and established his own membership in 1981.  He has served on MVEC’s Board since 2025.

  • Currently serves on the Jones County Board of Review

  • Served 12 years in the legislature, with appointment to many different leadership roles

  • Monticello School Board served as Board President for 5 of the 9 years

  • Member of Iowa Farm Business Association and served as Board President

  • Member of Jones County Cattlemen, Jones County Pork Producers

  • Member of Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Corn Growers

  • Church affiliation: St. Matthews Lutheran Church

  • MVEC member since 2012 for his residence (Family has been members since the Co-op was formed and Witsam since 1981)

  • MVEC Board member since 2025

Why are you interested in serving on MVEC's board?
With my experience as a legislator, I worked on legislation that benefited Maquoketa Valley REC. When I ran to fill the one-year term last year, I did so because I had followed the board’s actions and was interested in participating as a board member.  I have learned a lot about the cooperative business model this year and look forward to continuing to work on behalf of the membership.  

What strengths will you bring to the Board if elected? 
My communication skills help me be an effective board member. Listening has always been an essential skill for me. Obtaining answers to questions for constituents was always important and will continue to be a must. My experience chairing multiple committees at the State House taught me how to work in board settings and gave me the ability to reach a consensus. Being a board member is not a job that only takes place during meetings. My approach is that this role requires being available and active in the district all year to provide a voice for the members of the cooperative.

What is your greatest hope for the Cooperative's future?
I want to keep electricity affordable for our members while maintaining a strong and secure infrastructure that can meet our members’ power needs. Exploring all sources of electrical power generation, whether wind, solar or future technology, we will need to produce more electricity as the demand increases.

CharliePeters
Charlie Peters - Bellevue

Running for Region 2 - Jackson County and portions of Clinton County

Charlie resides outside of Bellevue, IA, where he owns and operates Peters Beef Genetics along with his wife Jenni, their four children and two grandchildren. The 6th generation operation consists of purebred and commercial cow-calf, bred heifer program, feedlot and crop production. He has served on various county and statewide agriculture association boards, including previously serving as regional Vice President of the Iowa Cattleman’s Association. Charlie has been a member of MVEC since 1997 and a board member since 2014.

  • Own and operate Peters Beef Genetics along with Jenni and the four children. The operation consists of purebred and commercial cow-calf, bred heifer program, feedlot and crop production; 6th generation of cattle and crop production at Andrew, IA.

  • Member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Springbrook

  • Past member, Jackson County Conference Board

  • Jackson County Farm Bureau member

  • Jackson County Cattlemen’s Association member

  • Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, member, past director and regional Vice President

  • Iowa Beef Industry Council, director

  • Andrew Achievers 4-H Club leader

  • Formerly employed with Laura’s Lean Beef, Monfort, Inc., and North American Limousin Foundation

  • MVEC member since 1997

  • MVEC board member since 2014

Why are you interested in serving another term on the board?
My interest in continuing to serve on the MVEC board is really the same as my interest when I first ran: to contribute as a servant leader to an organization that is vital to the success of our rural communities, businesses and families in Eastern Iowa. A strong and successful cooperative has an intimate connection with its members. I would like to continue that link and help ensure that MVEC is responsive to the members and successful in the future as a leader in the industry.

What strengths do you bring to the Board?
Solid leadership, integrity, curiosity and common sense. I believe it is crucial for board members to exhibit courage in leadership and to have an innate curiosity for what’s possible. “That’s the way it’s always been done…” will quickly be outpaced by the changes in technology and associated ideas that are with us each day. I believe I can help evaluate those possibilities with a commonsense approach that represents the best interests of the membership.

What is your hope for the Cooperative’s future?
My hope is that MVEC can continue to be the best in providing reliable, low-cost service to its members. This will happen only if we stay committed to our core principals while continually asking “what’s possible…?” with the changes in technology and ideas that surround us each day.

Judy Gotto
Judy Gotto - Epworth

At-Large - Dubuque County

Judy and her husband Dan own and operate two 4th generation century family farms that produce beef cattle as well as crops of corn, soybeans and hay. Judy has four children and 21 grandchildren. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration and Marketing. Judy has been an MVEC member since 1979 and a board member since 1998, serving as Treasurer since 2004. She has earned several Credentialed Cooperative Certificates, including Director Gold Credential.

  • Owns and operates two 4th generation century family farms; which includes beef cattle, crops of corn, soybeans and hay

  • Associates Degree in Business Administration and Marketing

  • Member of St. Clement Parish, Bankston

  • Managed a retail store for five years

  • Former 4-H Leader for 12 years

  • MVEC member since 1979

  • MVEC board member since 1998; Treasurer since 2004

  • Earned NRECA Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate, Board Leadership Certificate and Director Gold Credential

Why are you interested in serving another term on the board?
For the past 28 years, I’ve had the privilege of serving a cooperative that truly cares about its members, communities, and employees. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together, and I would be honored to continue serving and helping guide MVEC into the future while staying focused on the needs of our members.

What strengths do you bring to the Board?
I have served Maquoketa Valley Electric Cooperative members for 28 years and have worked hard to educate myself on the electric utility industry as well as the cooperative business model. I have helped the co-op navigate the addition of SCADA (automated meter reading) technology as well as the roll-out of fiber internet.

What is your hope for the Cooperative’s future?
Since MVEC was established in 1935, its mission has been to provide safe, reliable, and affordable energy to rural Iowa. My greatest hope is that we continue to stay true to that mission—delivering dependable and affordable energy to our members while adapting to the future and continuing to serve our communities for generations to come.

David Robinson
David Robinson - Cascade

At-Large - Dubuque County

David Robinson resides in Cascade with his son and has been a proud employee of John Deere Dubuque Works since 2009, where he currently serves as an electrician. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering from Hamilton Technical College, as well as an Experimental Engineering Test Technician Journeyperson Card through the UAW. David has developed strong technical expertise through his prior roles as a Test Technician at Rockwell Collins in Bellevue, Iowa, and as a Broadcast Maintenance Engineer at KLJB FOX 18 in Davenport, Iowa.

In addition to his professional experience, David is an active volunteer with several nonprofit organizations, including the UAW, International Skilled Trades Advisory Council, Boy Scouts of America, Dubuque Area Labor Harvest, and Dubuque Area Labor-Management Council. He has been a member of MVEC since 2011.

  • Obtained a Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering from Hamilton Technical College

  • Previously worked as a Test Technician at Rockwell Collins in Bellevue, Iowa, and a Broadcast Maintenance Engineer at KLJB FOX 18 in Davenport, Iowa

  • Active volunteer with several nonprofit organizations including UAW, International Skilled Trades Advisory Council, Boy Scouts of America, Dubuque Area Labor Harvest, and Dubuque Area Labor-Management Council

  • MVEC member since 2011

Why are you interested in serving on Maquoketa Valley Electric Cooperative’s Board?
MVEC has provided electric service to my home and hobby farm for over 14 years. The recent addition of broadband services presents new opportunities to integrate these offerings with the cooperative’s core utility functions, enhancing member value and improving peak load management. Serving on the Board would allow me to apply my technical background and industry experience in service to the cooperative and its members.

What strengths will you bring to the Board if elected?
I bring hands-on knowledge of electrical distribution, fiber optic communications, solar generation, and battery storage systems. I also have experience interpreting bylaws and contracts and have participated in meetings conducted under Robert’s Rules of Order through my involvement with the UAW. These skills would be valuable assets to the MVEC Board.

What is your greatest hope for the Cooperative’s future?
My hope is that MVEC continues to enhance its already strong customer experience by embracing emerging technologies and delivering the best possible value to both residential and commercial members.