Howard Wright

Director Howard Wright is a Carlin resident. He graduated from Carlin High School in 1962. He went to work for the railroad as a brakeman in 1968 and spent his working years there, retiring in 2004.

Howard and his wife D’Anne reared three children in Carlin. Howard Jr. graduated from UNR with a BS degree. He went on to graduate from Western States Chiropractic School. Daughter Sandy graduated from San Diego State University with degrees in Kinesiology and physical education. She is a career teacher in San Diego. Youngest son Tom holds an Associates degree from Lassen Junior College, with further education at Concorde College in Portland, OR. Tom is employed by Cortez Gold.

Howard is completing his second term as a WREC Director. He also serves on the Next Dollar Foundation and the Carlin Television District. Both are non-profit organizations.

Howard keeps busy post-retirement with a part-time repair shop, a tow truck service, eight trailer spaces and a 50 unit self-storage facility.

Sports have been a big part of Howard’s life. He was a high profile player in the Carlin High School sports program, and has stayed active with Carlin’s youth programs.

“I started the PAL youth basketball and Pop Warner football leagues in Carline. I coached Carlin sports teams for 20 years, and I’ve organized the Harold Hustead Memorial Alumni Classic Basketball Camp for ten years. All the proceeds from this camp go for scholarships,” Howard says.

Howard enjoys serving on the WREC Board.

“The competition between Wells and Carlin sports teams over so many years has allowed me to make many friends in other service areas. These friendships led to my interest and my election to the WREC Board. I don’t just represent Carlin on the Board; I represent all the members in the service area,” Howard says.

Howard has earned the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Certified Credentialed Director, along with the Board Leadership Certificate.
“I think the WREC membership needs to know what these credentials are all about,” Howard said. “The NRECA requires directors to take the following courses: Director Duties and Liabilities, Understanding the Electric Business, Board Roles and Relationships, and Understanding Financial Planning. Each director must take these classes and pass a test on the material.”

To acquire the Board Leadership Certificate, a director must earn 10 credits or take 10 courses from a wide variety of courses offered. According to the brochure, these courses are designed to enhance a director’s knowledge and ability to serve.
“I would also like the membership to understand that decisions made in the board room are not always arrived at easily. There is a good deal of discussion. However, the majority vote stands, and once we leave the board room, we will all support the majority decision.

Howard says he has only missed two meetings in his seven years on the Board. “I’m honest, hard working, and dedicated to serving the needs of all the communities.

“The biggest challenge facing the board is our coming contract negotiations with Bonneville Power Administration. There are so many pressures on BPA. My goal as a WREC board member, is keeping an adequate supply of power and keeping the rates low,” Howard says.