February 2026

Rarey cemented his international reputation as one of the greatest horse trainers the world has ever known when he won a bet with England’s Earl of Dorchester in 1852. The earl, it so happened, owned a horse named Cruiser, reported to be the fastest in England. But Cruiser also was vicious — a living fury who kicked two grooms to death, and who, as if in a rage, snapped an inch-thick iron bar with his teeth as numerous witnesses watched. He was considered too dangerous to race. 

After 29 years of service, Mike Klima is retiring from Paulding Putnam. Since starting in 1996, Mike has witnessed firsthand how the line trade has evolved — from learning on the job with hand tools to working in an increasingly technology-driven industry. In this Q&A, Mike reflects on his career, the changes he’s seen, and what he’s looking forward to in retirement.

How did you get your start at Paulding Putnam?

Data centers may feel like a big-city phenomenon, but more and more of them are showing up in rural communities like ours — and there’s good reason for that. Rural areas offer what data centers need most: affordable land, room to grow, and access to transmission lines that can move large amounts of power.

Lorain-Medina Rural Electric is celebrating two employees — Data Analyst Lynndsie Stahl and Journeyman Lineman Mike Kelsey — graduating from a statewide program aiming to hone the skills of the next generation of electric cooperative leaders.

“People choose geothermal for the environmental benefits and to save money,” says Tim Litton, director of marketing for WaterFurnace, an Indiana-based geothermal system manufacturer. “Geothermal is twice as efficient as any traditional heat pump, which means people can save more money on heating and cooling. 

“Climbing combines physical activity — a sportlike activity — with a meaningful cultural experience,” he says. “It’s a reason to travel and experience new places. I’ve spent hundreds of days climbing in Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Alabama, traveling to places that are remote. I’ve enjoyed meeting people there who are climbers and not climbers.” 

Shortly after he earned his PhD in sociology from the University of Washington, he and his wife, Laura Black, moved to Athens with their two kids to be professors at OU. 

Tree and vegetation management is an important part of Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s annual work plan. This task is vital for delivering safe, reliable power to members.

What is a right-of-way?

Trees do a lot of good for our communities. They clean the air, absorb carbon dioxide, and — when planted in the right places — help shield homes from harsh winds and summer sun. That natural protection can even reduce the energy needed to heat and cool our homes. But when trees grow too close to power lines, those benefits can quickly turn into serious safety risks.

Nearly 90 years ago, electric cooperatives like North Central Electric were formed for a simple reason: For-profit utilities would not serve rural communities. The distances were too long, the costs too high, and the profits too uncertain. So, neighbors came together, pooled their resources, and built something they could own themselves. They believed access to electricity was not about profit, but opportunity.

That origin story still matters today.