All News

East Central Energy is a member-owned​ distribution electric cooperative proudly serving more than 67,000 homes, farms, and businesses in east central Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. ECE has over 8,000 miles of energized electric distribution lines divided by population into six director districts, each of which is represented by two qualified directors. Director terms are typically four years.

Director nominations are now open for members who live in districts 1, 2, 4, and 5.

  • District 1: Greg Kvasnicka will be resigning; remaining three-year term available

  • District 2: Lonnie Johnson is seeking reelection; four-year term available

  • District 4: Open four-year term available

  • District 5: Jerry Tvedt will not be seeking reelection; four-year term available

To learn if you live in one of these districts, please check your bill on the upper right under your account number.

When is the election held? At least two weeks before the annual meeting, ballots are mailed to each member in the voting districts. Returned ballots are tallied by a professional third-party balloting company, and election results will be announced before the close of the annual business meeting set for 6 p.m. Thursday, April 24, 2025 at the Braham Event Center.

Directors have many duties. A director attends a regular monthly meeting, typically held the fourth Thursday of each month. Meetings usually begin at 9 a.m. and can last until noon or later. Board members spend 16 hours a month preparing for the monthly meeting. Some of the board’s responsibilities include setting policies, providing strategic oversight, and ensuring that the cooperative operates in the best interests of its members while maintaining financial stability and regulatory compliance. Directors are also expected to stay updated on legislative, local, and industry issues.

ECE’s directors are tech-savvy. Monthly board reports are distributed electronically via mobile tablet. Directors attend some virtual meetings. They also communicate via email and are proficient using Microsoft Forms and Excel.

Networking is important. A director often has personal contact with, and receives telephone calls from, members in their community regarding the co-op. A director also attends meetings of related organizations. For the last several years, ECE directors have committed an average of 30 days​ per year to conduct cooperative business. Our directors are encouraged to participate in community engagement events that directly support our members.

To meet eligibility requirements, you must:

  1. Be a resident of the district for at least one (1) year.

  2. Reside in district during the entire term as director.

  3. No felony conviction within the last five (5) years.

  4. No conflict of interest.

For further details, review ECE’s Bylaws in Article IV, Section B.

Interested in becoming a director candidate? Check out our detailed Candidate Information Page!

system map

DISTRICT 1
Serving all or part of the following areas in Minnesota:
Arlone, Arna, Atkinson, Barry, Birch Creek, Blackhoof, Bremen, Bruno, Clear Creek, Clover, Danforth, Dell Grove, Finlayson, Fleming, Hinckley, Holyoke, Kerrick, Kettle River, New Dosey, Nickerson, Norman, Ogema, Park, Partridge, Pine Lake, Sandstone, Silver Brook, Sturgeon Lake, Twin Lakes, Wilma, Windemere, and Wrenshall, including the cities of Bruno, Denham, Finlayson, Hinckley, Kerrick, Rutledge, Sandstone, Sturgeon Lake and Willow River.

Serving all or part of the following areas in Wisconsin:
Amnicon, Bennett, Blaine, Dairyland, Frog Creek, Gordon, Hawthorne, Highland, Lakeside, Minong, Oakland, Parkland, Solon Springs, Summit, Superior, and Wascott.

DISTRICT 2
Serving all or part of the following areas:
Brook Park, Chengwatana, Comfort, Crosby, Mission Creek, Munch, Nessel, Pine City, Pokegama, Rock Creek, Royalton, Rushseba, and Whited, including the cities of Braham, Brook Park, Henriette, Quamba, Pine City, Rock Creek, and Rush City.

DISTRICT 4
Serving all or part of the following areas:
Athens, Bogus Brook, Cambridge, Dalbo, Isanti, Maple Ridge, Princeton, Springvale, Stanchfield, and Wyanett, including the cities of Braham, Cambridge, Isanti, and Princeton.

DISTRICT 5
Serving all or part of the following areas:
Ann Lake, Arthur, Bradbury, Borgholm, Brunswick, Dailey, East Side, Ford, Grass Lake, Hay Brook, Hayland, Hillman, Idun, Isle Harbor, Jewett, Kanabec, Knife Lake, Kroschel, Lakin, Leigh, Lewis, Millward, Mount Morris, Mudgett, Onamia, Page, Peace, Pliny, Pomroy, Seavey, South Fork, South Harbor, Wagner, White Pine, and Williams, including the cities of Bock, Braham, Grasston, Hilman, Isle, McGrath, Mora, Ogilvie, Quamba, and Wahkon.