Kentland trustee Jake Shappeler highlights local service and recent LED retrofit work

Jake Shappeler, a trustee for the township containing Kentland and the owner of Freedom Electric and Repairs LLC, spoke in the meeting transcript about his business, trades credentials and local public service.

Shappeler said he has lived in Kentland his entire life and took his business full-time in 2023 after retiring as maintenance director for Meaton County Government following 13 years in that role. "I own Freedom Electric and Repairs LLC," he said, and described being licensed in heating and cooling and electrical work and able to do basic plumbing and carpentry work.

He described recent energy-efficiency projects his company completed, saying, "We relamped the entire gymnasium's basketball court. We did an LED retrofit," replacing what he described as older four- to 500-watt bulbs with LEDs that "use a quarter of that power." He also said his crew upgraded exterior lighting at the sewage plant so "they can see everything at night."

Shappeler said he partners with several local businesses and keeps his business in Kentland because he prefers the small-town feel and knowing neighbors. He noted his public-service background, saying he has served as a township trustee since 2013 and that he previously served on the local fire department until rules required choosing between the two roles.

He also recounted military service, saying he served in the National Guard from 2006 to 2012 and spent a year in Afghanistan in 2009–2010; he described a town welcome-home parade upon his return in June 2010.

The transcript records these remarks as commentary and background; no formal motions or votes were recorded in the same segment.