For the safety of our members and employees, ECE’s 85th Annual Meeting was held online April 22.
After ECE Board Chair Linda Laitala welcomed members, President/CEO Justin Jahnz acknowledged that 2020 was a difficult year for many of our members. He then recognized the Tusen Tack organization of Braham, MN, as winner of the local and statewide Touchstone Energy® Community Award.
VP/COO Andy Olson shared the 2020 activities of Operations, Engineering, and System Control. “We powered through the year by prioritizing reliability and safety,” Andy mentioned. “We pushed through the challenges of the pandemic. We made progress on our infrastructure and pollinator habitat projects, and did our absolute best to keep the lights on.”
VP/CIO Ty Houglum explained how Government & Business Relations, Facilities, IT, and Energy Services & Metering Systems adapted to the impact of COVID-19. Ty highlighted the co-op’s emergency loan fund program, generous rebates for commercial and residential members, and an increase in member security efforts. “We’re always looking for ways to protect member information,” he stated during his report.
Lisa Prachar, our VP/CFO who oversees Finance & Assets, Member Services, and Human Resources, closed out the executive report. “Our group helped members power through the pandemic by adapting to change, connecting with and supporting you as much as possible, and making smart financial decisions,” Lisa stressed. “We’re your neighbors, and every employee at ECE is here for you. We value your trust.”
This year, in District 2 and District 5, only one candidate was nominated by petition for each available seat on the board of directors. Voting by ballot was not necessary in either district. Incumbent Lonnie K. Johnson will serve the four-year term in District 2. Incumbent Jerry T. Tvedt will serve the four-year term in District 5.
An election was held in District 4. With the highest number of votes, Joe Morley was re-elected to a four-year term. All candidates and election results were confirmed by the ECE Credentials and Election Committee and our legal counsel.
The board met to elect officers for the coming year. Elected to their positions were Chair Linda Laitala, Vice Chair Jerry Tvedt, Secretary-Treasurer Joe Morley, and Assistant Secretary-Treasurer Greg Kvasnicka. Lonnie Johnson and Joe Morley represent ECE on the Great River Energy Board of Directors. Jerry Tvedt represents ECE on the Minnesota Rural Electric Association Board of Directors.
2020 Annual Report
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