Carver Reflects on 45 Years of Service and Leadership at Kosciusko REMC
As Kosciusko REMC’s President & CEO, Kurt Carver, celebrates his remarkable 45-year service anniversary at the company, he reflects on his inspiring journey, the changes he’s witnessed, and the values that have shaped his career.
A Journey Rooted in Family and Ambition
Growing up on a farm, Carver knew he wanted a job working outdoors from the start. Family ties sparked his initial interest in KREMC.
“My older brother was hired at Wabash County REMC right out of high school. I found listening to him talk about his lineman job very interesting. My uncle was also a lineman before becoming a safety director for cooperatives through Indiana Statewide, now called Indiana Electric Cooperative,” he recalls. Their stories painted a picture of stability and camaraderie that Carver found appealing.
“My uncle called me and said he had an interview lined up for me at Kosciusko REMC if I was interested. I guess the rest is history.”
Carver began his career on April 1, 1980—April Fool’s Day—a date he jokes about but also cherishes. Starting as a groundman, he quickly demonstrated a drive for growth.
“I remember one question that stood out during the interview process. What is your long-term goal at Kosciusko REMC? My future boss was interviewing me, and I answered, ‘To have your job.’ I remember he told me that was a good answer. I guess I continued to have that same answer of wanting that next job or position throughout my career path.”
From Groundman to CEO
While working as a groundman, Carver entered the Rural Electric Apprenticeship Program, which at the time was a newly developed four-year apprenticeship program. He then graduated as a journeyman lineman in 1987. Next, Carver became a lead lineman, then an Operations Supervisor, and then Manager of Operations. In May of 2020, he advanced to the President & CEO position.
He found his whole career path from groundman to CEO extremely rewarding; however, helping to start Kosciusko Connect is his proudest accomplishment. Bringing high-speed internet was life-changing to our members, especially in our rural community.”
Reflecting on his tenure, Carver notes the profound technological advancements he’s witnessed. “You have to remember when I hired in, it was paper maps, mechanical meters, and no cell phones or laptops. The digital world opened so many doors for how we operate, from our real-time outage management systems to digital meters to laptops in the trucks. It’s made our workplace much safer and more efficient.”
The Cooperative Spirit
Carver’s passion for the cooperative model shines through in his reflections.
“It’s about people helping people. Being a part of an organization that cares about our community and neighbors.” One specific example of this cooperative spirit especially stands out from his years of service. In 1991, as a lineman, he volunteered to go to Newton County REMC to help restore power after an ice storm. Two inches of ice had covered their entire system and broken most of their poles. It took two weeks of hard labor to rebuild their system and restore power, but the end result was well worth it.
“I can remember the appreciation I felt from their members standing on their porches clapping when we got the power back on.”
Navigating KREMC through the COVID-19 pandemic was among Carver’s toughest challenges. “We had to change how we operated on the fly without jeopardizing the quality and dependability of our service to our members. We also had to ensure our employees were safe from the COVID virus.”
He also reflects on the bittersweet move from KREMC’s old headquarters on Buffalo Street to its current facility. “It was a proud but bittersweet moment since half of my career was at the old facility. However, it has been very special to be a part of our company growing into what it has become today at the new facility.”
A Legacy of Leadership
As Carver prepares for retirement, he shares his wisdom for the next generation at KREMC.
“First, be early to work every day. Show your supervisor your excitement and happiness to be at work every day and appreciate your job. Set goals for yourself that will continue to push you outside your comfort zone. Show your supervisor that you are eager to learn by taking on new challenges. Expand your education to set yourself up for success within the company. Don’t settle for where you’re at in your career. Reach for that next rung on the ladder.”
Reflecting on his 45 years of service, Carver expresses gratitude for the experience.
“It has been an amazing journey. Having the opportunity to become CEO of such an amazing company has been truly very rewarding personally and professionally.”
Looking Forward
Carver is now looking forward to retirement at the end of March. His plans include spending more time with his family and enjoying peaceful moments at his cabin in Canada—his “happy place.”
“It’s a place where stress is just a word and where I can enjoy the simple things in life.”
Carver’s legacy is a testament to the power of the cooperative spirit, hard work, and innovation.
KREMC is grateful for his service to this company, its members, and the Kosciusko County community as a whole, and we wish him well in his next chapter.