Members lead the way

Great River Energy’s board seats directors, elects officers at annual meeting

Representatives from Great River Energy’s member-owners came together June 3 to seat the cooperative’s governing body and elect leadership for the year ahead.

“Annual meetings are a cornerstone of the cooperative model, bringing member-owners together to help shape the future of their organization,” said Great River Energy Board Chair Mike Brasel. “By electing directors from among the membership, the process reinforces Great River Energy’s purpose and ensures strong, balanced representation.”

Great River Energy directors serve on committees focused on key areas of the cooperative’s work, including transmission, power supply and finance, helping guide important decisions and positioning the organization for continued success.

At the 2026 annual meeting, Brasel (Lake Region Electric Cooperative, Pelican Rapids) was re-elected chair; Randy Hlavka (McLeod Cooperative Power Association, Glencoe) was re-elected vice chair; Andy Anderson (Runestone Electric Association, Alexandria) was elected secretary; and Nancy Utke (Itasca-Mantrap Electric Cooperative, Park Rapids) was re-elected treasurer.

In addition to the officers, the following directors were elected to Great River Energy’s board:

• Mike Littfin, Arrowhead Cooperative, Inc., Lutsen
• Gary Stenzel, BENCO Electric Cooperative, Mankato
• Bill Berg, Brown County Rural Electrical Association, Sleepy Eye
• Kyle Weideman, Cooperative Light & Power, Two Harbors
• Bill Middlecamp, Dakota Electric Association, Farmington
• Margaret Schreiner, Dakota Electric Association, Farmington
• Lonnie Johnson, East Central Energy, Braham
• Linda Laitala, East Central Energy, Braham
• David Hernke, Goodhue County Cooperative Electric Association, Zumbrota
• Dale Anderson, Kandiyohi Power Cooperative, Spicer
• Bob Bruckbauer, Lake Country Power, Cohasset
• Craig Olson, Lake Country Power, Cohasset
• Harold Harms, Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative, Aitkin
• Lee York, Nobles Cooperative Electric, Slayton
• Lloyd Kongsjord, North Itasca Electric Cooperative, Inc., Bigfork
• Greg Blaine, Stearns Electric Association, Melrose
• PJ Duchene, Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric, Owatonna
• Michael Thorson, Todd-Wadena Electric Cooperative, Wadena
• Erick Heinz, Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association, Rockford