(ANGOLA) - After nearly 28 years at the helm, Kevin Keiser is retiring as chief executive officer of Steuben County REMC, closing a chapter marked by major growth, modernization and deep community investment.
Keiser, who joined the electric cooperative in May 1998, will step down effective January 30, 2026. When he arrived, Steuben County REMC managed about $7.8 million in utility assets. Today, that figure tops $62 million, reflecting decades of infrastructure upgrades, technology investments and expanded services.
During Keiser's tenure, the cooperative retired $4.4 million in capital credits back to members, built five new substations and two additional metering points, added roughly 152 miles of electric line and grew by about 2,600 electric accounts. Staffing also expanded, with 11 positions added to support the growing system.
Keiser also helped strengthen REMC's community footprint. Under his leadership, Operation Roundup was launched, allowing members to round up their electric bills to support local nonprofits. The program is nearing $1 million in total giving, benefiting organizations across Steuben, LaGrange and DeKalb counties.
One of the most significant milestones of Keiser's career came with the launch of broadband internet service. Construction began in 2022 using about 160 miles of community dark fiber. The first customers were connected that October, with full network construction completed by January 2024. Today, the broadband service includes about 5,050 accounts and continues to grow by 10 to 15 new connections each week.
In 2020, Steuben County REMC earned an American Customer Satisfaction Index score of 90, ranking among the top utilities in Indiana and underscoring the cooperative's focus on member service.
Keiser's contributions were formally recognized Friday during a retirement open house, where the Steuben County Commissioners presented him and the cooperative with an official proclamation.
"Serving the members of Steuben County REMC has been the honor of a lifetime," Keiser said. "The progress we've made is a testament to our employees, our board and the trust of our membership."
Steuben County REMC thanked Keiser for his decades of leadership and service to the cooperative and the communities it serves.