Op-Ed: Group calls for changes at Decatur County REMC

Digital Staff
Dec 30, 2025
3 min read

*This article was submitted by the Concerned Decatur County REMC Owners group8

(GREENSBURG, Ind.) -- The Concerned Decatur County REMC Owners began as a small group of cooperative members who recognized that not all members were being treated equally within our member-owned cooperative.

As we shared our experiences with other members, it became increasingly clear that much of the information being communicated by DCREMC management was inaccurate or misleading.

To better understand our options, this group initially consulted with two independent attorneys. Both advised that we had two possible paths forward: file legal action against DCREMC or organize a grassroots effort to bring change to the Board of Directors. After careful consideration, we collectively chose to pursue a grassroots movement to restore transparency, accountability, and member control through changes to the Board of Directors.

This effort required extensive face-to-face engagement with fellow members. As a result of these efforts, three directors were elected who demonstrated the moral courage necessary to withstand pressure from the CEO and advocate for meaningful change.

At that point, two significant developments occurred.

First, the CEO implemented the 2019 Decatur County REMC Communication Plan without the knowledge or consent of all directors. This plan, written and developed by Molly McPherson, outlined strategies designed to influence and control board elections. It portrayed CEO Brett Aplanalp as a “Servant Leader” and promoted the notion that “the cooperative exists for the CEO as much as the CEO exists for the cooperative.”

Second, the onset of COVID-19 provided an opportunity to alter the election process in ways that further consolidated control. The introduction of Survey & Ballot initially appeared to be a positive development, as it expanded voting access by allowing members to vote in person at the annual meeting, by mail, or online via computer or smartphone. However, members were not informed that voting confidentiality appears to have been eliminated. It appears that voting data was subsequently used by the CEO to influence and shape future elections.

Following this, additional changes were made to the election and governance structure. Once the CEO regained the support of a supermajority of directors, bylaw amendments were enacted. Among these changes, the most damaging was the removal of the Nominating Committee’s authority to oversee and validate the election process. Also, Members voting in-person at the annual meeting is no longer permitted, even though the primary purpose of the annual meeting is the election of directors.

At present, there is an active lawsuit against the CEO and seven directors. This lawsuit is not against DCREMC as an organization. It is a civil action based on documented actions taken by specific individuals over several years. A major concern is that the legal expenses for the Directors are being paid by our Member Owned Cooperative.

Is it reasonable to think that this case would being going to court if those individuals Directors were responsible for their own legal fees?

The following are some of the main objectives of the Concerned DCREMC Owners:

1. Review all bylaw changes made since deregulation and rewrite the bylaws to protect the cooperative’s member-owners.

2. Require that all future bylaw changes be approved by a vote of the full membership at the annual meeting.

3. Ensure that established bylaws are strictly followed by management and guarantee member access to all non-employee cooperative records.

4. Establish an independent Oversight Committee that works directly with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to oversee fair rates, budgets, and annual audits.

5. Restore the Nominating Committee, with direct access to DCREMC legal counsel, granting it full responsibility for Board of Directors elections and full access to all election-related information.

6. Implement term limits for members of the Board of Directors.

7. Require DCREMC legal counsel to attend all board meetings to ensure compliance with Robert’s Rules of Order and to protect members from retaliation or harassment.

8. Include in the annual report full disclosure of total compensation and travel expenses for all directors and members of management.

9. Establish a management structure that prevents any single individual, including the CEO, from exercising unchecked control.

10. Provide dedicated time at each monthly board meeting for members to present concerns, with those concerns formally recorded in the meeting minutes.

How can you help?

Follow the Concerned Decatur County REMC Owners Facebook page.
If you are an active DCREMC member, sign the petition to remove Board Chair Steve Amrhein from the board.
If you are a DCREMC member, vote for change, elect new directors.