Daniel Taylor is no stranger to Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative. In fact, he’s the third generation in his family to serve on the board. Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative Communication Specialist Doug Graham sat down with Daniel to learn more about his background, what inspired him to get involved, and what he’s looking forward to in his new role.
Q: Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m 40 years old and a lifelong resident of the Uniontown area. I graduated from Uniontown High School and got into the family plumbing business not long after. I’ve been doing that work since 2002. I did step away from the business for a while and worked in public works—first for Bourbon County and then for Linn County. In those roles, I operated heavy equipment and later served as the noxious weed director. I’ve always enjoyed jobs that involve helping people and working with the public. I also run a small cattle operation on our family farm and recently acquired some storage units in Uniontown.
Q: You’re following in the footsteps of your grandfather, Ron Taylor, who served on the Heartland board for nearly 40 years. What did he tell you about his time here?
Grandpa really loved it. He always had good things to say about the people—both past and present—and the co-op as a whole. He saw his board service as a real honor and privilege. That kind of stuck with me. He believed strongly in helping the community, and I saw firsthand how much he enjoyed being involved. That made a big impression on me. My great grandpa, Ray Taylor, served on the Sekan board until 1985 when my grandpa took over. It’s pretty humbling to think about the legacy there—three generations of service to the co-op. That history definitely played a role in my decision to run.
Q: What made you want to step up and serve on the board yourself?
It really comes down to wanting to serve the community. I’ve always felt that way—whether it was through my work in plumbing, in public works, or now on the board. If there’s a way I can help people or give back, I want to do that.
Q: What are you most looking forward to learning as a new board member?
I’m really curious about the business side of things. As a member, you mostly just see the bill each month—but there’s obviously a lot more that goes into keeping the co-op running. I’ve already asked about training opportunities because I want to understand how it all works—from operations to finance to policy. It’s like when I started working for the county—once you’re on the inside, you see just how much is involved. I’m excited to dig into that.
Q: What should members know about you as their representative?
I’d say I’m easygoing and approachable. If anyone has questions or concerns, I’ll do my best to find answers. I’m not a politician—I’m just someone who cares about our community and wants to help however I can.