Behind the Board: A Conversation with Shane Morris

Shane grew up just outside Regan, on the same land his grandparents farmed beginning in the early 1940s. His father bought the farm in the 1960s, and Shane has been working it since he was a little kid. "I can still remember watching my dad bale hay," he said, "and he's still helping out with that today." That kind of continuity means something to Shane. Today he lives across the road from where his mother grew up, northwest of Regan and northeast of Wilton. His brother lives on their father's side of the family land while Shane farms his mother's farmstead, keeping both family legacies intact and close to home.

Shane and his wife Lynelle have been married 38 years. They have two daughters and two grandchildren.

Before transitioning to his current role as an agricultural lender and loan officer, Shane spent years in full-time farming and ranching. He remains deeply connected to the land and the agricultural community he has always called home.

Shane’s path to the BEK Board of Directors came naturally leading up to being elected in 2013. He had previously served on the Cenex of Wilton board for several years and always found deep satisfaction in the cooperative model. "Most of my farming business has been with cooperatives," he said. "I enjoy supporting their mission and working on the financial side of things."

Serving on the board has opened his eyes to how complex and dynamic a communications cooperative truly is. "I've been amazed at what it takes to be a communications company," he said. "There are so many different businesses operating inside a cooperative, and the regulations alone are significant." Shane also sees the shifting landscape that cooperatives must navigate as the younger generation moves away from in-person interactions and increasingly expects seamless online service. Rather than seeing that as a burden, he sees it as a challenge worth embracing. "I like meeting the needs of the younger generation," he said. "That challenge is what keeps me going."

At the same time, Shane remains a firm believer that cooperatives offer something that other providers simply can't match: better service, respectful pricing, and a genuine commitment to the members they serve. "There has always been great loyalty to cooperatives, and for good reason," he said. "We give better service than the others."

For members who want to get more involved with BEK, Shane's advice is straightforward: start by coming to the annual meeting, or watch it live on the BEK TV+ app. From there, take the time to understand what makes a cooperative different. Ask questions, learn about the advantages, and don't be shy about reaching out. "Members can reach out to me any time," Shane said.