Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association (ORECA) President and Salem Electric board member Joe Van Meter is giving back to a cooperative that provided him an opportunity long ago.
By Ted Case
Salem Electric Cooperative Director Joe Van Meter started at the co-op literally from the ground up. As a college student in the 1970s, Van Meter worked for a Salem Electric contractor, patiently undergrounding electric wire. It was his first introduction to utility professionals and an electric cooperative that is historically 1 of the most reliable in the state.
The experience left an impression on Van Meter as he embarked on a career in juvenile corrections. The assistance he received working for Salem Electric’s contractor helped launch him into a successful and challenging 37-year career in juvenile corrections at the state and county levels. This included working as a caseworker dealing with 40 at-risk children, running the gamut from runaways to juveniles who committed serious crimes, including murder.
Before retiring in 2004 as the director of training for Oregon Youth Authority, things came full circle when Van Meter was appointed to Salem Electric’s board.
“I was pleased to be able to give something back to the group that helped get me through college,” he said.
Now, in his first full year as ORECA president, Van Meter has put the same emphasis on training on the statewide board as he has on Salem Electric. In his view, an evolving electric utility industry makes it imperative that co-op leaders take training to another level.
“The complexity is different now,” he said.
That complexity has led Van Meter to reach Director Gold status through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the highest level of certification awarded to electric co-op leaders.
On the wall of the Salem Electric boardroom is a poster with the 7 Cooperative Principles—a document Van Meter and the co-op board take seriously.
“Joe is always looking for the best way to serve,” Salem Electric General Manager Tony Schacher said. “He has an unwavering passion for the cooperative model and the local connection that our cooperative has with our members.”
Van Meter’s admiration for Salem Electric is evident.
“We have top-notch employees who want to stay there,” he said.
Van Meter’s commitment goes far beyond electric utilities. He is a member of 2 credit unions and enthusiastically attends the popular Co-op Lunch, where co-op leaders of all stripes interact with Oregon’s legislators. Many legislators have called the lunch their favorite event of the session.
During his tenure as ORECA president, Van Meter wants the association to continue outreach with lawmakers in a polarized environment. While saying “political discussions are much more intense,” Van Meter, a former city council member, believes building strong relationships on a bipartisan basis pays dividends at all levels.
He also wants to prepare the statewide for the future by updating the association’s bylaws and policies.
When not working for co-ops, Van Meter and his wife, Karen, enjoy spending time with their 7 granddaughters. They also enjoy spending time in their garden.
Then there is salmon fishing, a passion Van Meter and fellow Salem Electric board member Dave Bauer have enjoyed together for 40 years. Bauer believes he knows the secret to his friend’s success. He recalled the time Van Meter taught Bauer’s son Mike to fish, patiently showing him the ropes.
“Joe has the same patience around the board table as he does out fishing,” Bauer said.
It’s the same patience Van Meter discovered decades ago, undergrounding power lines at a co-op willing to provide an opportunity.
