Board Vice President
Jim Buxton brings a wide variety of experience that benefits the West Oregon Board of Directors. He is currently the West Oregon Electric Cooperative (WOEC) Board Vice President. Jim served in the Oregon National Guard and worked in electronics at Tektronix, Inc. for 13 years before resigning to own and operate a sawmill. Later, Jim was the Mechanic at Vernonia Auto Parts Saw Shop, wrote software for and operated computer numeric control machines, was a Purchaser and a Bookkeeper for a steel fabrication company and the Upper Nehalem Watershed Council, as well as a Computer Technician for the Vernonia School District.
Jim believes in and supports the cooperative enterprise. He wants lower rates in the future, in part by retiring debt now. “Rates are only a part of the equation; service is another.” Since moving to the Vernonia area in 1966, Jim has considered himself a WOEC watcher, attending monthly board meetings, discussing issues with managers and board members, and keeping co-op members informed by writing letters to the Editor and articles in the local newspapers. Jim was instrumental in opening board meetings to members and adding bylaws requiring WOEC to create a budget and a savings fund for storm damage.
Jim is currently retired and has 4 children, 7 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. He and his wife Cici live on Keasey Road.