Contact: 507-220-8148
Elected to office in 1991.
Represents District 1: Townships of Ellsborough, Skandia, Lake Sarah, Shetek, and Holly of Murray County; Township of Aetna of Pipestone County; Township of Hope of Lincoln County; Townships of Shelburne, Rock Lake, Custer, and Monroe of Lyon County; Township of Springdale of Redwood County; and Township of Ann of Cottonwood County, all in the State of Minnesota.
Tell us a little about yourself: I have been a member of NCE since 1981. My wife Connie and I live in Skandia Township where we retired from operating the family farm, Coorain, Inc. I graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Masters Degree of Agriculture-Food Technology. Prior to farming, I was a research project coordinator at the University of Minnesota. I served in the Army and Air National Guard. While serving as a director of NCE, I completed all of the required courses from NRECA to earn Credentialed Cooperative Director and Board Leadership certificates. I have been on the board since December 1991.
Occupation and responsibilities: I have recently retired from farming in rural Balaton, but maintain a supporting role in the operations of Coorain Inc.
Community involvement/service: I am active in Sillerud Lutheran Church, having served on the council multiple times and I sing in the choir. My wife and I are members of and support the activities of the Balaton Chamber of Commerce and Shetek Lutheran Ministries. I have also served several times as an international volunteer helping develop and improve cooperatives in third world and developing countries.
Leadership positions: I serve as President of Nobles Cooperative and am a member of the Minnesota Rural Electric Association Board of Directors. From 2004 to 2020 I served on the Board of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and chaired the NRECA International Foundation.
What are the primary issues facing the electric industry and Nobles Cooperative Electric? The challenges facing all electric co-ops are getting more difficult each year. Federal and state legislation and regulations are potentially putting the reliability and affordability of our grid at great risk. Even recent actions by the EPA run counter to the goals set for the national clean energy goals.
Why I want to serve on the Nobles Cooperative Electric Board of Directors: I want to do all I can to continue to ensure that Nobles Cooperative remains financially secure and relevant to our members and communities.
