News1/10/2013 Lane-Scott’s Paul Seib selected as 2013 Hall of Fame Inductee
Paul Seib, Jr., a board member at Lane-Scott, will be inducted into the 2013 Co-op Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame, sponsored by the Kansas Cooperative Council, is valued for recognizing the contributions of co-op pioneers and honoring those who have gone “above and beyond the call” in advancing the cooperative philosophy.
Seib has given decades of service to rural electric cooperatives as a board member for local and regional cooperatives. In addition to serving on the board of his local electric co-op, he joined Sunflower’s board of directors in 1979.
“At every junction, Paul has been willing to stand up for the principles of this corporation that he has shaped over these many years,” wrote Earl Watkins, retired CEO of Sunflower. During his term as Sunflower’s Board Chairman, the corporation began a new era as a cooperative that had survived what could have been an economic calamity for the ratepayers in western Kansas. Many would have shied away from this leadership position. But Paul knew what Sunflower and its member cooperatives stood for, and he was willing to do what was necessary to make sure the lights stayed on.”
Seib’s commitment to advancing rural electric cooperatives has been lasting.
“He served as Board Chairman during a challenging economic environment when future generation needs were at the forefront as they are today,” said Stuart Lowry, Sunflower’s president and CEO. “The decisions made by that board during his leadership were difficult, but the benefits are enjoyed today by the central and western Kansas consumers served by Sunflower and provided a stable platform from which Sunflower was able to plan for further expansion.”
In addition to serving on the Lane-Scott and Sunflower boards, Seib was one of the original members of the board of directors for the Washington, D.C.-based Western Power Producers, a cooperative organization of generation and transmission cooperatives formed in 1989 that worked to help its members find operational efficiencies and advocated for rural electric power.
Seib will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on March 20 at the Hyatt in Wichita.
After a reception and dinner, Seib will be honored for his commitment to the growth and development of the cooperative movement. His biographical information will be placed alongside other honorees in the Kansas Cooperative Hall of Fame showcase display at the Kansas State Fairgrounds.
Located in the Pride of Kansas building, this permanent display highlights the achievements of Kansas’ great co-op leaders and preserves our co-op history. It also plays a significant role in educating others about the uniqueness of the cooperative business model.
Since it was established in 1999, 31 individuals from all types of cooperatives have been inducted into the Kansas Cooperative Hall of Fame. Each December, the Council asks for nominations for additional inductees.
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