JASPER COUNTY REMC NAMES JASON SMITH SR. NEW CEO

Rensselaer, Ind. – May 18, 2026

The Jasper County REMC Board of Directors today announced Jason Smith Sr. as the electric distribution cooperative’s new chief executive officer and general manager. Smith will officially begin his leadership role with the cooperative on June 3.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to lead a cooperative with such a strong commitment to its members,” said Smith. “My field experience, focus on safety, and background in corporate management have shaped my approach to leadership. As a veteran, I value the importance of mission and community, and I look forward to building on Jasper County REMC’s solid foundation to support our employees and carry this organization’s legacy forward.”

Smith, a United States Marine Corps veteran, joins Jasper County REMC with 22 years of experience in the electric utility industry. He most recently served as the Director of Corporate Services at Berkeley Electric Cooperative in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, where he also previously held the role of Manager of Safety and Loss Control.

Smith’s extensive career includes serving as the Lead Safety Instructor for the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives, where he trained a new generation of utility professionals. He built his professional foundation in the field, gaining critical hands-on experience in construction, maintenance, and crew leadership while serving as a meter technician, journeyman lineman, and crew foreman.

“Jason is a leader whose knowledge, experience, and commitment to the cooperative principles stand out. He is a clear and effective communicator, a proven change agent, and someone who sets high expectations while holding teams accountable,” said Bart Nesius, Jasper County REMC Board President. “Just as important as his strong leadership abilities, his electric cooperative experience spans multiple operational areas, giving him a well-rounded perspective that will benefit Jasper County REMC and its member-consumers.”

Smith holds an Associate of Arts and a Bachelor of Applied Science degree from Florida Southwestern State College, as well as a Master of Business Administration from The Citadel. He is a Department of Labor Certified Journeyman Lineman, a Certified Loss Control Professional, and a graduate of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA) Management Internship Program and Supervisory Program.

The board also extends its heartfelt gratitude to Violet Sistovaris for her interim leadership and dedication during this transition period.

Jasper County REMC, located in Rensselaer, Ind., is an electric utility cooperative serving over 8,600 consumers in Jasper and parts of White, Starke, Pulaski, Porter, and Newton Counties and maintains more than 1,200 miles of line. For more information about the cooperative visit JasperREMC.com.