Board of Directors

President - Jim Collins - Tongue River Electric Cooperative

Jim Collins is President of the Tongue River Electric Cooperative Board of Directors. He serves from District #9, the east side of Powder River south of the southern border of Township 3 South, the right side of US 212 going east through Broadus.

Vice-President - Philip Habeck - PRECorp

Philip Habeck was born in Deadwood, South Dakota, but has lived most of his life in Crook County.

He is a graduate of Moorcroft High School and the University of Wyoming.

Philip and his wife, Jeanne, own and operate a ranch north of Moorcroft where they use electricity in homes, barns, a shop and numerous stock wells.

His current term expires in 2023.

Secretary - Treasurer - Jim Baumgartner, PRECorp

Jim Baumgartner, Ucross, has been a member of Powder River Energy since 1985 and is a graduate of Arvada-Clearmont High School.

PRECorp serves Jim’s residence and shop where Jim is a self-employed excavation contractor.

Jim spends personal time with family, church, friends, and a variety of outdoor activities in all seasons.

He was elected to the PRECorp Board in August 2015. His current term expires in 2024.

Paul Baker, PRECorp

Paul Baker II was born in Gillette and has lived in Moorcroft all of his life. He has a BS Degree in Finance from the University of Wyoming.

He ranches south of Moorcroft and his family has been members of the electric cooperative since its incorporation. Paul and his wife Kelli have three children: Jace, Jami and Ryan.

Powder River Energy serves their residence, ranch house, and nine stock wells.

Paul represents Powder River Energy on the Members 1st Power Cooperative and Basin Electric Board of Directors. His current term expires in 2024.

Paul Descheemaeker - Fergus Electric Cooperative 

Paul Descheemaeker is President of the Fergus Electric Cooperative Board of Directors. He serves the membership from the Heath, Ruby Guch, and Carter's Pond area in District 1.

Bill Mertz - General Manager

On August 1, 2022, Bill Mertz assumed the title of General Manager of Members 1st Power Cooperative.

Mertz joined the PRECorp team in 2021 as Corporate Financial and Administration Officer, and continues to serve in that dual role. Bill has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Arizona; with unofficial minors in Organizational Behavior and Management & Policy, along with a Masters Certification in Lean Six Sigma from Villanova University, and a Strategic Financial Planning certification from the University of Wisconsin.

Bill has vast experience in the cooperative industry, as well as strategic planning and leadership work in the private sector. He comes to PRECorp from San Miguel Power Association in Colorado where he was CFO.