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Remembering Larry Brochin: A Legacy of Service to REMC and Beyond

Daviess-Martin County REMC has proudly served our members for nearly a century, and during that time, many dedicated employees have devoted their careers to keeping the lights on in our communities. Among the many dedicated employees who have served our cooperative, one name continues to stand out: Robert Lawrence Brochin, better known to most as Larry.

Larry was a proud patriot who honorably served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps. After returning to civilian life, he began what would become a long and distinguished career with Daviess-Martin County REMC. He started as a lineman in 1966 and worked his way into management before retiring in 2002 after 36 years of dedicated service.

Larry’s commitment to serving others extended well beyond his career at the cooperative. He had a passion for mentoring young people and spent many years coaching cross-country at Washington Catholic High School, as well as girls’ middle school basketball. Those who knew him best described him as someone who was always willing to lend a helping hand and volunteer whenever needed.

On June 14, 2026, Larry passed away at the age of 86 in Washington, Indiana. He was a longtime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, and a member of the IBEW. Throughout his life, he exemplified dedication, service, and integrity.

His contributions, strong work ethic, and unwavering commitment to our members helped shape Daviess-Martin County REMC into the cooperative it is today. His legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched, and his service to our country, cooperative, and community will not be forgotten.

How to Stay Safe Around Water and Electricity This Summer

Summer means more time at pools, lakes, and rivers, but with that comes a risk many people don’t think about — electricity around water. Whether at home or on a boat, electrical safety should always be part of your plans.

Pools and spas

Electrical devices should never be near pools. Keep fans, speakers, and other appliances away from the water. Use battery-powered or waterproof equipment instead.

If someone feels a stinging or tingling sensation in the water, it may indicate electricity is present. Do not enter the pool to help. Instead, shut off the power and use a non-metal shepherd’s hook to pull the person to safety.

Before using long-handled pool equipment, always check for nearby power lines. Pools and hot tubs should be at least 25 feet away from overhead lines.

Lakes and rivers

Avoid using extension cords near the shoreline or docks. Never swim near boats connected to shore power or near docks with electrical services. Faulty wiring can leak electricity into the water, causing paralysis and drowning.

If you notice tingling while swimming, exit the water quickly but do not touch ladders or other metal objects. If someone is shocked in the water, do not jump in after them. Turn off the power source and use an insulated object to assist from land. Call 911 immediately.

Boating safety

Boaters should always know where power lines are located. Use caution when raising masts or fishing poles to avoid accidental contact. When docking, enlist someone to guide the boat and ensure it remains at least 10 feet from power lines.

Boats should be equipped with ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) and equipment leakage circuit interrupters (ELCIs). Portable GFCIs used near water should be labeled “UL-Marine Listed” and tested monthly.

To ensure safety, have your boat’s electrical system inspected by a certified marine electrician. Wiring should meet local and state codes, and all connections should be secured in a panel box.

Remember

Water and electricity can be a fatal combination. Stay alert, follow safety guidelines, and review them with family and friends before swimming, fishing, or boating.

Summer Starts With Safety: Daviess-Martin County REMC Delivers Hands-On Power Line Safety Demos

Summer is in full swing, and students from area schools are enjoying their time away from classes. Whether biking or fishing at West Boggs Park or spending time at the municipal pools in Loogootee and Washington, they are likely to encounter electrical infrastructure, which makes it important that they understand the real dangers associated with electricity.

That’s why, before classes ended for the 2025–2026 school year, Daviess-Martin County REMC (DMREMC) was invited to share power line safety information with students at a local elementary school and at an educational camp.

The first stop was Barr-Reeve Community Schools, where journeyman linemen Jarrett Arvin and apprentice lineman Jeremy Maddox spoke with a group of second-grade students about basic power line safety. Both emphasized the importance of staying aware of their surroundings, including what is above and below them while playing outside.

The tabletop demonstration featured a series of real-world scenarios illustrating what can happen when someone encounters a live power line. Examples included downed poles caused by fallen trees, kites becoming entangled in power lines, and the dangers of digging near underground utilities.

Students remained highly engaged throughout the presentation, especially when viewing live electrical arcing safely performed by DMREMC-trained professionals.

The following week, journeyman linemen Dwain Jolliff and Tyler Bostock visited a group of young men during the Ebenezer Boys Camp at Camp Illiana. These students had spent part of their time at camp learning basic electrical concepts, which were reinforced through the safety demonstration.

The campers asked many thoughtful questions, creating a highly engaging learning environment for everyone involved. Questions ranged from utility location procedures to what it takes to pursue a career as a lineman.

By connecting real-world demonstrations with hands-on learning, DMREMC continues to reinforce the importance of electrical safety and help students build awareness that can last well beyond the summer months.

Daviess-Martin County REMC Highlights Storm Recovery, Community Impact at 2026 Annual Meeting

The 2026 Daviess-Martin County REMC annual meeting was held virtually on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 5 p.m.

Chairperson Brandt Schuckman called on Director Josh Dove to give the invocation. Director August Bauer then led the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance, after which Schuckman called the meeting to order.

Following Secretary John Edwards’ report, Daviess-Martin County REMC CEO Ryan Dant reviewed the past year’s cooperative activities.

“The year 2025 was unlike any other for our cooperative,” Dant said. “It challenged us, it strengthened us, and it ultimately reminded us of the extraordinary spirit that defines Daviess-Martin County REMC.”

Dant addressed the tornado damage sustained at the facility in March 2025, which caused minor damage to the office building and completely destroyed the warehouse. Additionally, more than 1,200 members experienced outages during the storms.

During this time, Daviess-Martin County REMC received assistance from Southeastern REMC, Hendricks Power Cooperative, and WIN Energy.

“Thanks to this remarkable teamwork, power was fully restored to every member within five days,” Dant said, adding that a new warehouse is nearing completion and will strengthen operations well into the future.

Despite these challenges, Daviess-Martin County REMC reached an important milestone in 2025 of 495,000 hours without a lost-time accident. Dant also reported that the cooperative returned $750,000 in capital credits to members who received electric service from 1997 to 1999.

Operation Round Up awarded $23,440 to local projects and organizations, bringing total giving since 2004 to more than $654,000.

“These contributions are made possible through the generosity of our members who choose to round up their bill each month,” Dant said, thanking members and volunteer board members for their stewardship.

In 2025, the cooperative’s commitment to youth remained a key focus. Throughout the year, hundreds of students learned about electrical safety through tabletop demonstrations conducted by lineworkers.

Daviess-Martin County REMC also sponsored eight sixth-grade students to attend Camp Kilowatt and one high school junior to participate in the Indiana Youth Tour in Washington, D.C.

“Investing in young people is an investment in our cooperative’s future,” Dant added.

He concluded his address by noting that the cooperative’s strength comes from the people, partners, and members it proudly serves.

Following the address, cooperative attorney Chris Goffinet delivered the legal report and oversaw the 2026 director election.

Two seats were open in 2026: District Three, covering Washington and Veale townships, and District Six, covering Halbert, Lost River, Mitcheltree, and Rutherford townships.

Both seats were retained by the incumbents, Brandt Schuckman (District Three) and August Bauer (District Six).