BLOOMFIELD — The Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC (UDWI REMC) has announced Shane Smith as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1. The UDWI REMC Board of Directors selected Smith after a national search to replace Doug Childs, who will retire this summer after nearly eight years with the cooperative.
Smith brings nearly 28 years of experience at UDWI REMC to his new role. He has served as an engineer, Manager of Engineering, and Manager of Operations and Engineering before being named Chief Operating Officer in 2020. In his current position, he directs strategies related to the operation and design of the cooperative’s electrical system, economic development, and key account relationships.
A licensed Professional Engineer in Indiana and a Certified Key Account Executive through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), Smith earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Indiana Institute of Technology in 1997 and a Master of Business Administration from Xavier University in 2022. A Greene County native, he resides near Switz City with his wife, Kelly.
As CEO, Smith will be responsible for advising the Board of Directors on strategy, policies, budgets, and contracts. He will also oversee daily operations, foster member relations, and ensure the cooperative’s activities align with its bylaws, policies, mission, and goals.
Melinda Hendrix, UDWI Board President, expressed satisfaction with the selection, stating, “The board is extremely pleased to select Shane Smith as our new CEO. We utilized our partnership with Hoosier Energy to conduct a nationwide search, which resulted in more than 60 applications, 30 resumes reviewed and ranked by the team, 14 phone interviews, and three in-depth interviews. Shane’s years of experience, his intimate knowledge of this co-op and its members, and his focus on strategy will allow him to hit the ground running as he leads UDWI into the future”.
Hendrix also extended gratitude to outgoing CEO Doug Childs for his eight years of service. She noted that Childs led UDWI through a difficult period, improving its financial position, morale, and working conditions. Under his leadership, UDWI adopted increased transparency, providing members with greater access to information and enhanced communications. The cooperative also saw two base rate decreases while maintaining aggressive vegetation management and increased system upgrades. In 2023, Childs led the team in redefining the cooperative’s mission, values, and strategic plan, prioritizing system improvements, member needs, and economic development. Notably, Childs formed strategic partnerships in 2021 with Smithville Communications and SCI Fiber to address broadband and fiber access gaps in the UDWI service territory, significantly increasing connectivity for members. The latest initiative, launched in 2024 with Mainstream Fiber, aims to provide access to the majority of unserved and underserved UDWI members as part of the largest fiber expansion project in the area.
Smith stated, “I am truly humbled and deeply grateful for the trust that the Board of Directors has placed in me to lead the Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC into the future. We’ve made tremendous strides under the outstanding leadership of CEO Doug Childs. I look forward to continuing to build on his legacy of an unwavering focus on serving our members and financial stewardship.”
He affirmed the cooperative’s commitment to “Improving Rural Life” by enhancing electric system reliability, partnering with economic development teams, and supporting broadband partners in expanding fiber-to-the-home projects.
