Employee Spotlight: Dylan Freking

When members think about keeping the lights on, they often picture lineworkers in bucket trucks restoring power after a storm. But behind every construction project, system upgrade and outage restoration effort is a lot of planning, technology and accurate information—and Dylan Freking plays an important role in making that happen.

Dylan serves as Metering & Mapping Coordinator at Nobles Cooperative Electric, a position that combines technology, planning and plenty of problem-solving.

From the Farm to the Cooperative

Growing up on a farm near Heron Lake, Dylan attended Heron Lake-Okabena High School. During his senior year, he began working part-time in the warehouse at Nobles Cooperative Electric while considering a career as an electrician.

Around that same time, the cooperative was preparing for Cody Hansen to transition from Mapping & Metering Coordinator to Line Superintendent. That opened another career path for Dylan. He was encouraged to pursue a degree in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) while continuing to gain hands-on experience at the cooperative.

After graduating from high school in 2021, Dylan attended South Dakota State University in Brookings, where he earned his GIS degree while continuing to work part-time at Nobles Cooperative Electric. In 2023, he joined the cooperative full time.

Mapping the Cooperative's System

Today, Dylan is responsible for maintaining the cooperative's mapping system, which serves as the foundation for nearly every construction, maintenance and restoration project.

From creating detailed maps for new line construction and system upgrades to keeping track of meters and service locations throughout the system, Dylan helps make sure crews have accurate information before they ever leave the shop.

He also manages much of the cooperative's metering data, helping maintain accurate records of member locations and electrical services. Whether planning a year's construction projects, locating facilities or supporting outage restoration efforts, Dylan's work helps keep the cooperative organized and operating efficiently.

The Go-To Tech Guy

Around the office, Dylan has also become the go-to person for just about everything techy. If there's a technology problem, a mapping question or a project that needs an extra set of eyes, chances are Dylan is the person everyone turns to.

He's always willing to lend a hand, troubleshoot an issue or find a solution—and he does it all with a smile.

Outside of Work

Dylan still helps farm with his family and lives near Dundee. When he's not at work or on the farm, you'll likely find him hunting, fishing, boating or simply enjoying everything southwest Minnesota has to offer.

Although much of Dylan's work happens behind the scenes, it has a direct impact on the safe, reliable electric service our members depend on every day. His combination of technology skills, system knowledge and willingness to help wherever needed makes him an important part of the Nobles Cooperative Electric team.