General Manager

Debra Cole has over 27 years in the utility business. In 1978, Ms. Cole began her utility career with Texas Electric Service Company in the Fort Worth office, as a Customer Service Clerk. After 2 years, she was transferred into the Credit Department, as a lead representative. After relocating to Itasca in 1983 to enable her husband to return to the ranch and allow her children to attend a smaller school district. Ms. Cole left her position with TESCO after a year of commuting in hopes of obtaining employment with HILCO. Ms. Cole began work for HILCO, then Hill County Electric Cooperative, in 1984.

Ms. Cole previously served as Assistant General Manager, Office Manager, Coordinator of Operation Department, Collection Supervisor, Customer Service Clerk and Cashier.

Ms. Cole served many years as president of the FFA Community Support Committee, president of the girls District Softball League, president of the Ex-Student Association and served as Youth Director at Christ Lutheran Church for 10 years. She is married to Gary Cole, where, together, they have raised a daughter Melony and son Cory. Ms. Cole has her Associate in Applied Science in Management, Certificate of Technology in Management and Certificate of Basic Management Skills, from Hill College.  She also has a Bachelors Degree from West Texas A & M University.

Lead and inspire people. Don't try to manage and manipulate people. Inventories can be managed but people must be lead.
- Ross Perot

If it's a good idea, 

go ahead and do it. 

It is much easier to apologize than it is to get permission.
- Admiral Grace Hopper

Assistant General Manager

Lea Sanders graduated from Texas A&M University in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics – AgriBusiness Option.  In 1997, she completed coursework at The University of North Texas, obtaining a Masters of Business Administration with an emphasis in Management.  In December 2001, Ms. Sanders earned certification as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) from the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI).

Ms. Sanders joined HILCO in February of 2000 and is currently employed as the Assistant General Manager for HILCO Electric Cooperative located in Itasca, Texas. HILCO serves portions of Dallas, Ellis, Hill, Johnson, and McLennan Counties with electric power and water management services. She  is responsible for human resource activities, benefit administration, training and development, marketing, public relations, customer/member service, collection activities, dispatching, and metering technology for the Cooperative.

She has served on the Hill County Child Protective Services Board for many years in various positions including Chairperson and is a past Chairperson and current committee member for the Hill County Relay For Life Event. She works as the Secretary/Treasurer for the Cooperative Personnel Management Association and is the HILCO coordinator for the Texas Rural Electric Women's Association. Other memberships include the Central Texas Society for Human Resource Management; national SHRM member; Vice President of the Hillsboro Lions Club; Hill County Go Texan Cotton Pickin' Fair Committee Member; and the Hill County Texas A&M Club.

Director of Operations/Engineering

 William Watson holds the distinction of being on the HILCO workforce longer than any other employee. He began his utility career with the cooperative in 1963 after graduating from Blum High School .  

William has held various positions in the Operations Department and the Engineering Department and was named HILCO Director of Operations and Engineering in July, 2007. He is responsible for HILCO’s 30-person skilled linemen and engineering staffs and overhead, underground and right-of-way contractors.  

The dedicated lineman has served the cooperative under the leadership of all six general managers and two interim managers during his HILCO experience. More than anyone on staff, William has witnessed growth and change at the co-op in his 44-year career.  

William and his wife, Paula, live in the Blum area and have five children and nine grandchildren. He enjoys family activities with his grandchildren and loves team roping and hunting.

Director of Finance & Accounting 

Paula Farquhar graduated Summa cum Laude from Tarleton State University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting.  During her time at Tarleton State University , she was recognized by the Accounting Education Foundation of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants as the outstanding accounting student at Tarleton for the year 2000.  She earned her Certified Public Accountant license in February 2006.  

Mrs. Farquhar served as the City Clerk for the City of Itasca for five years.  She left that position to become a Deputy District Clerk for the Hill County District Clerk’s Office.  She remained in that position for three years.  Mrs. Farquhar then took an Accounting Clerk position with HILCO Electric Cooperative in 1996.  While working for HILCO Electric Cooperative, she was promoted to Accounting Coordinator, Finance and Accounting Manager, and to her current position as Director of Finance and Accounting.  Under her direction, the Finance and Accounting Department is responsible for the financial transactions and records for HILCO Electric Cooperative, HILCO United Services, Inc., and four rural water companies managed by HILCO Electric Cooperative.  

Paula is married to Doug Farquhar.  She has two children, Josh and Alex Solis.  

Director of IS and IT 

Matt Fehnel serves as the Director Of information Services and Technology for HILCO Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Since joining HILCO in 2001, Matt Fehnel has been instrumental in updating information technology systems and implementing new communications programs at the cooperative. Matt graduated from Baylor University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He worked for two national corporations and brought 13-years experience in the IT industry to his position at HILCO.

An Itasca native, Matt is active in the community. He is a two time past president and treasurer of the Itasca Chamber of Commerce and has participated in several community projects, including the Chamber Barbecue Cook-Offs and Relay For Life.