Customer Service Representative - Lagrange County REMC

Capitol gains. Jonathan Faris Builds on Internship Experience to Strengthen Communities September 21, 2026 The lessons teaching Jonathan Faris his most useful tools for strengthening communities had little to do with a classroom. Rather, it was where his education took him. Jonathan Faris with the group of interns during his experience on Capitol Hill. He has incorporated lessons from his experience into his role supporting economic and workforce development. He interned in Washington, D.C., as a college junior in 2002, where he worked with Indiana's bipartisan congressional delegation on Capitol Hill. The Indiana University political science and history double major learned from firsthand experience how to work with staff members of political leaders across the spectrum. Despite differences, they collaborated to provide training resources and funding for Hoosiers in communities across the state. "It showed me the ability of how to get things done to benefit families in our state," Faris said of his Capitol Hill internship. "I realized that we could overcome differences to focus on job growth and spur economic innovation." As Wabash Valley Power Alliance's new economic development manager, Faris oversees a team that works with policymakers, business owners, and civic leaders in communities across WVPA's 21 electric distribution cooperative members in Indiana and Illinois. They collectively serve more than 710,000 people and businesses. "I saw economic development and workforce development as a space where uniting to work together could happen," said Faris, who also earned a master's degree in public affairs from Indiana University in Indianapolis. "I was intrigued by the effort to improve our state's graduate rates, how we could connect people with the right training, and then link them to employment opportunities." He developed several projects that connected military veterans with regional employers, as well as help transition those in the armed forces to full-time jobs once they completed their enlistment. Faris also worked for an economic development consulting agency where he led projects that created more than 1,000 jobs and $100 million in local investment. He also helped secure more than $39 million in contracts and $10 million in grant funding. "Jonathan's success in workforce and economic development will be a tremendous asset to our member co-ops and the communities they serve," Wabash Valley Power CEO Jeff Conrad said. "Jonathan brings a unique perspective and a strong commitment to community partnerships that will help drive investment, create jobs, and support long-term prosperity across our members' communities." Since joining Wabash Valley Power in July, Faris has met with policymakers and economic developers across the Midwest. He is excited about communities' efforts to attract and retain businesses as they grow and diversify their economies. "Rural communities have a moment right now to take advantage of some unprecedented opportunities," Faris said. "People are working hard to help their communities thrive, and that's what excited me about my role with Wabash Valley Power. I can impact those efforts." Posted In: Blog

Innovation is powered by progress. One of the things I enjoy most about visiting with its members is hearing your questions about new technology. Whether I'm at the fair, a community event, or simply talking with members around LaGrange County, its conversations often turn to energy. Lately, many of those discussions have included two topics: rising gasoline prices and battery technology. Gas prices have always been difficult to predict. Global events, seasonal demand, and market conditions can all cause prices at the pump to change quickly. While none of Indiana Connection can control those factors, many families are looking for ways to make their energy costs more predictable. That's one reason some people are taking a closer look at electric vehicles. While they aren't the right choice for everyone, today's EV batteries are far more reliable than they were just a few years ago. Longer battery life, improved driving range, and faster charging continue to make the technology more practical for those who choose it. The exciting part is that battery technology isn't just changing transportation - it's changing the way electricity is delivered. As a member of LaGrange County REMC, your electricity is supplied by its wholesale power provider, Wabash Valley Power Alliance (WVPA). WVPA is investing in battery energy storage systems that help strengthen the electric grid. These utility-scale batteries can store electricity when demand is lower and deliver it back to the grid when it's needed most. That means greater flexibility, improved reliability, and a stronger electric system for the future. In many ways, the same advances making batteries better for vehicles are also making them more valuable for electric cooperatives. Continued innovation is creating new opportunities to improve how electricity is generated, stored, and delivered to its members. That's one of the advantages of being part of a cooperative. Through partnerships like the one Indiana Connection has with WVPA, Indiana Connection is continually exploring new technologies that help Indiana Connection provide reliable, affordable electricity while preparing for tomorrow's energy needs. The future of energy will continue to evolve, and battery technology will play an important role. Whether it's helping power a vehicle, supporting the electric grid, or improving reliability during periods of high demand, these advancements benefit all of Indiana Connection. At LaGrange County REMC, Indiana Connection is committed to keeping the lights on today while investing in the technologies that will help serve its members for years to come.