GARY CHARBULA

“The most important benefit to rural electrification is receiving excellent service and maintaining a personal relationship with the members.”

Charbula has lived in the WCEC service territory for 26 years. He has three grown children with his wife, Jan, and six grandchildren. He is a graduate of El Campo High School and Wharton County Junior College.

He is a member of the Knights of Columbus #2490 and Fourth Degree, El Campo Lions Club, El Campo Chamber of Commerce, St. Philip Catholic Church Council, El Campo High School Booster Club, and a retired El Campo Volunteer Fireman. He was also named Citizen of the Year in 2022 and has helped organize numerous community fundraisers. 

Charbula is retired from ownership of Superior Motor Parts. 

JUDY PETER
Incumbent

“My family and I have lived in Wharton County our entire lives and have been a member of WCEC for well over 60 years. My dad, J. Bridges, served on the board in the 1960s, and my husband, Frankie, has served for nine years as well.

It has been a pleasure to have served on the WCEC board for the last three years, and I would be honored if you would consider allowing me to serve three more. I have recently completed five classes for the Credentialed Cooperative Director certification. Working with the CEO, WCEC Board of Directors, Experienced Staff, and Dedicated Employees has reassured me that My Co-op and Your Co-op is in great hands. They have proved that time and time again!
In 1939, the first Wharton County Electric Co-op lines (your lines) started serving our community by bringing electric power to your home/business! Now, 85 years later, WCEC is still serving and prospering as your co-op.

Our world is ever-changing. So many decisions and changes are made for us and are out of our control. I believe that we as a co-op have the advantage of being member-owned. There is a definite sense of ‘community’ within our co-op. Our lengthy story says it all. We are doing our very best to continue with those same values, principles, experiences, determination, and outlook to keep your WCEC in great condition to serve all our member’s electrical needs.

Thank you for considering me as your Board representative for District 3 as we all work together to continue serving this great community for the next 85 years.”

Peter has lived in the WCEC service territory for over 60 years. She and her husband, Frankie, have three grown children and nine grandchildren. She is a graduate of Louise High School and Wharton County Junior College. 
Peter has served as secretary to the Wharton County Youth Fair Executive Board for 8 years and has been an active member and President of the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Board of Directors for 10 years. 

She currently works at her family’s Petr Farms and is a Realtor, wife, mother, and grandmother. 

Peter has served on the WCEC Board for three years and is a Credentialed Co-op Director.

GUS WESSELS JR.
Incumbent

“My mother told me about the first electricity coming to the rural community when she was a girl. My family has always been a member of WCEC since its beginning. It is an honor to serve as a board member representing District 6. WCEC is a well-run organization bringing low-cost power to its members.”

Wessels has lived in the WCEC service territory for over 60 years and is the Dean of Financial & Business Services/CFO at Wharton County Junior College. He and his wife, Donna, have two adult daughters.

Wessels is a graduate of Louise High School and Southwest Texas State University and a Certified Public Accountant. He served as Wharton County Treasurer for 18 years. He belongs to Christ Lutheran Church and has served on the board of Czech Catholic Home.

Wessels has served on the WCEC Board for six years. He is a Credentialed Co-op Director and is the current Secretary/Treasurer.

HECTOR GUTIERREZ

“I believe providing service to our customers is the utmost important function performed by the co-op. To promote social objectives through corporate giving, volunteerism, and using new technology for the betterment of our members and provide the most reliable electric service.”

Gutierrez has lived in the WCEC Service Territory for 40 years. He is an agent with Texas Insurance and Financial Services with designations in commercial and personal insurance from the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas since 2006. He and his wife, Rosemary, have two grown sons and three grandchildren. 

He is a member of the Knights of Columbus #9393 and Fourth Degree, El Campo Lions Club, El Campo Community Events, and is currently serving on St. Robert’s Catholic Church Finance Board and as its Community Director

GEORGE “BUDDY” DORNAK JR.
Incumbent

“After serving on the WCEC Board over the past year, I have come to appreciate what the co-op stands for. It’s not just a business, it’s a group of people who serve the members of the co-op and the community.
As a member of the co-op, you can always rest assured that you are getting the best service and price for electricity in the area.”

Dornak has lived in the WCEC service territory for 63 years. He and his wife, Cathy, have two grown children. He is a graduate of El Campo High School and is currently a Realtor and manager at E/JAH Properties, LLC. 

He is a member of the National Association of Realtors, Texas Association of Realtors, NRA, 100 Club, and Texas Farm Bureau.  He is also a member of St. Philip Catholic Church where he volunteers at the parish as well as the school. 

Dornak has served on the WCEC Board for 1 year and has begun working toward his certification as a Credentialed Co-op Director.

GARY LAMBERTH

“Although rural electrification continues to provide reliable low-cost power to its members as well as making broadband services available in areas that previously had no options, there are challenges that have arisen due to the COVID pandemic. Many were forced to work from home, requiring reliable broadband service. In addition, many urban dwellers have decided to relocate to rural areas. This has resulted in increased demand for electricity and broadband service not only in our area but across the country. Additionally, since the rising number of electric vehicles (EVs) will place increasing demand on our existing resources, we need to ensure adequate infrastructure and load margins are available going forward. My goal is to help ensure WCEC can satisfy the increasing needs of the future while maintaining our current level of service for existing members in a fiscally responsible manner.”

Lamberth has lived in the WCEC service territory for 41 years. He and his wife, Lynn, have two grown children. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin where he earned a B.S. in Human Ecology. He also studied Nuclear Science Technology at the University of Maryland. Lamberth is currently retired. 

Before retirement, he worked in power generation for 34 years at South Texas Project Electric Generating Station as a Nuclear Regulatory Commission Licensed Reactor Operato