Annual Meeting 2026

Directors elected by mail-in ballot announced at Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric’s 90th Annual Meeting

Briggs, Beal recognized for years of service

Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric members in attendance for the co-op’s 90th annual meeting at its headquarters in Owatonna Tuesday, June 2, learned the results of the co-op’s mail-in ballot for three director seats. General Manager Syd Briggs was recognized for his 17 1/2 years as he retires, June 30, along with District 7 Director John Beal, who retired after 24 years on the board. 

Steele-Waseca Cooperative Attorney Tricia Lancaster announced to the 458 registered members in attendance that 10% of member mail-in ballots were received by Survey & Ballot Systems, who managed and audited the results. In District 7, Daniel J. Maas of Faribault, District 8 Incumbent Ronald D. Sommers of Northfield, and District 9 Incumbent Scott J. Carlson of Faribault were elected by acclamation to a three-year term, as each district was unopposed. 

Retiring board director John Beal (pictured adjacent right) was recognized for his 24 years of service on the board. 

“It’s been an honor and privilege to serve you for the last 24 years,” said John. “I will be forever proud of Steele-Waseca.”

With guests, the co-op’s annual meeting had 964 in attendance. Board President Rodney Krell recognized General Manager Syd Briggs, who is retiring, June 30, after 17 1/2 years with the co-op.

“Over the years, Syd has been a steady current of leadership for this cooperative,” said Krell. “He understood that being fiscally responsible wasn’t just about balancing spreadsheets—it was about honoring the trust of our members. Because of his leadership, Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric remained financially strong while continuing to keep rates low with very few increases. That doesn’t happen by accident. It takes discipline, foresight, and a commitment to always putting members first.”

Krell continued, “One thing that especially stands out about Syd’s leadership is his willingness to help others in times of need. When tragedy struck in other parts of the country, Steele-Waseca crews stepped up to assist neighboring cooperatives and communities. Syd knew that in the cooperative world, service extends beyond our own backyard. That spirit of helping others speaks volumes about his character and the culture he helped build here.” Adding, “There’s a saying that the true sign of a good leader is leaving an organization better than when they found it. Syd, you have absolutely done that.”

Krell announced Steele-Waseca will be sharing Goodhue County Cooperative Electric Association’s General Manager Kelly Hovel starting, July 1. He has 18 years of experience at Goodhue and has already been taking part in meetings and activities at Steele-Waseca.

Steele-Waseca’s 2026 Youth Tour Delegates Connor Louks of Ellendale and Leighton Richter of Faribault were recognized as they will represent the co-op at the Washington, D.C. Youth Tour, June 15-20. Among the chaperones will be Steele-Waseca Safety Coordinator Cindy Butterfield. A drawing for a $250 gift card was conducted with the three eligible Youth Tour applications received by Steele-Waseca, and Ella Seykora of Owatonna had her name selected. 

Members attending this year’s annual meeting received a $30 Power Perks certificate good at participating Steele-Waseca member-owned businesses, and a $50 Energy Star® certificate good toward the purchase of products with the Energy Star logo. Both certificates expire on Dec. 31, 2026 (no exceptions). In addition, attending members received a 3-way soil meter. 

Prior to the start of the annual meeting, members had the opportunity to donate to an area food shelf with a non-perishable item or cash. In exchange, Steele-Waseca gave donors an LED lightbulb. The co-op gave away 126 bulbs and collected 163 pounds in non-perishable items and $180. The items and money this year were donated to the Ellendale Food Shelf. 

There were two Early Bird prize drawings. Geraldyne Berg of Blooming Prairie was the recipient of a $100 gift certificate from Nagel Sod in Medford. Gary Fischer of Waseca was selected for a $100 gift certificate from Boonie’s Bar & Grill in Faribault.

 The meeting also included member approval of the financial report and remarks from General Manager Syd Briggs regarding a summary of the past year for Steele-Waseca and plans in the works for the upcoming year. 

“We began a new controlled thermostat program where we will provide monthly reduction in electric bills if you allow us to control your thermostat at peaking times,” said Briggs. “More than 25 members are on the new program, while 817 are controlled in our traditional receiver program. Many members are taking advantage of new rebates as well. We now offer rebates on electric yard tools and mowers, robotic mowers, electric bikes and more. Rebate details can be found on our website.

“Please consider loading the SmartHub app on your smartphone. It has an easy-to-follow menu for the different categories that you need such as a Summary, Making a Payment, and Usage and Payment History.” Adding, “We just added a Sparks newsletter icon so you can conveniently access the Sparks newsletter from the SmartHub app.

“I am very proud to talk about our new substation in Medford. We are looking for a completion date around the fall of this year. It is not too often we build a new substation, and this is a big moment for Steele-Waseca and our members as we continue to improve capacity and reliability to our members.

“The subject of data storage facilities has been a big topic lately, and several members have emailed or called me recently with concerns about possible rate increases should such a facility locate in our service territory. Since Steele-Waseca and our power supplier Great River Energy have an obligation to serve all Steele-Waseca members, we have taken steps to reduce the potential risks to members from serving new large loads, such as a data center. 

“To protect our members from the potential of sudden rate obligations, Great River Energy and its member-owners will limit the amount of generating capacity a single new large load can take. If the large load needs more, then they will be required to pay for it themselves including procuring their own generation resources. 

“Likewise, if a new large load requires transmission enhancements, they are responsible for paying for those costs up front. Steele-Waseca has other ways to protect members as well. We require large loads to prepay for equipment that we may need to serve them. That way, if a project does not materialize, Steele-Waseca members will not be affected. We already require credit assurances for energy we may need to purchase to serve large loads.”

Briggs added, “You may have read in my last column about the board of directors considering a consolidation with our neighboring friends at Goodhue County Cooperative Electric Association. While that is being considered for the next year or so, the two boards have agreed to share the general manager from Goodhue—Kelly Hovel. Sharing the services of a general manager is a very common practice that is usually done temporarily. There are quite a few examples of sharing a manager that have and are occurring across our state. I am very familiar with both boards and with Mr. Hovel and have full confidence in the plan.

“I must conclude that there are so many things we can be proud of,” said Briggs. “We have been blessed for many years by members of our community today and for the past 90 years. I am grateful I got to be a part of it.” 

Special guests in attendance and retired Steele-Waseca employees were recognized. In addition, current Steele-Waseca employees were introduced to the annual meeting attendees.

Prior to adjournment of the annual meeting, members were given the opportunity to ask questions. Among the topics were data centers and the possible consolidation with Goodhue County Cooperative Electric Association. One question was when members would get a say regarding a potential consolidation. Briggs stated public meetings will take place with each co-op’s membership before a vote would take place. “This doesn’t happen without a vote from the membership,” said Briggs. 

Following adjournment, the drawing for prizes and flowers was conducted. Patricia Blow of Faribault had her name selected for the third-place prize of a $100 gift card from Lerberg’s Foods in Ellendale. Mark Foster of Ellendale was selected for the second-place prize of a $100 gift card from Casey’s General Store and a $100 gift card from Grampa’s Ole Home Meats of Medford. The first-place prize went to Linda Tollefsrud of Rochester for a $150 gift card to Casey’s General Store and $150 gift card to Steve’s Meat Market of Ellendale. 

There was also a drawing for the flowers on stage for the annual meeting. Those selected included: Eilyne Simon, Owatonna; Christopher Johnson, Ellendale; Jacob Payne, Nerstrand; Scott Svenby, Medford; Somerset Township, Hope; Virginia Malecha, Faribault; Richard Giles, Faribault; Wade Camerer, Ellendale; Sherry Richter, Faribault; Larry Brekke, Owatonna; Derek Arens, Lonsdale; Joe Starke, Faribault; Francis Duban, Lonsdale; Roger Kubinski, Faribault; Leroy Schroeder, Blooming Prairie, Bruce Koeckeritz, Owatonna; Bryce Norman, New Richland; Medford Funeral Home; Gerald Reich, Rochester; Thompson Oaks Well Association, Ellendale; Bruce Jensen, Ellendale; Joyce Cordes, Faribault; and Roger Nechanicky, Ellendale.

Following the conclusion of the annual meeting and lunch, the co-op’s board of directors met for their reorganizational meeting. There were no officer changes, so continuing is: Rodney D. Krell, Blooming Prairie, president; PJ Duchene, Faribault, vice president; Ron Sommers, secretary/treasurer; and Scott Carlson, assistant secretary/treasurer. 

The co-op’s 91st annual meeting will be Tuesday, June 8, 2027.  

2026 Annual Meeting photos can be seen below.

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Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric will be conducting their annual meeting Tuesday, June 2, at their headquarters in Owatonna.

The co-op’s 90th annual meeting will be starting at 10:30 a.m., at 2411 West Bridge Street, Owatonna. The meeting is open to Steele-Waseca member-owners, and their guests. The doors will open at 9 a.m., with display and informational booths open until 10:15 a.m.

Parking will be available on the property surrounding the co-op’s headquarters. TC Custom Carts of Owatonna will be supplying several golf cars to shuttle members and their guests from their vehicle to and from the meeting. 

Registration cards for the annual meeting will be mailed to members during the week of May 18. There won’t be any preregistration requirements. Please bring the registration card with you if you are planning to attend in person or using the drive-thru option. To be eligible to receive giveaways from Steele-Waseca at the annual meeting, the name on the registration card must match the person submitting it. You can’t have someone else present your registration card. If you are unable to attend due to illness (if you are not feeling well, please stay home) or other priorities, you are not eligible to receive the giveaways as this is a thank you for those able to attend. 

Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric will be collecting non-perishable items for an area food shelf prior to the official start of the annual meeting. Members with a donation, whether monetary or a non-perishable item, will receive an LED lightbulb. 

There will be two early bird drawings for prizes taking place prior to the start of the annual meeting. The business portion of the meeting will begin promptly at 10:30 a.m., with the Presentation of Colors. 

Results of the mail-in ballot election of directors will be announced at Steele-Waseca’s 90th annual meeting, Tuesday, June 2, at the co-op’s headquarters, 2411 West Bridge Street in Owatonna.

Daniel J. Maas lives in rural Faribault with his wife of 39 years, Stacy. They have four children and nine grandchildren. Daniel owns his own business and has been in the carpentry and home building industry for 39 years. He’s a lifelong member of Christ the King Church in Medford and has served on the church board for six years. Daniel has been a Knights of Columbus member for 39 years and held various officer positions including Grand Knight for two years and currently serves as co-chair director of the Medford Resurrection Cemetery. “My family and I have been on Steele Waseca co-op power for 38 years,” wrote Daniel. “I have been interested in the member owned co-op business model how we produce and distribute needed power to the members. In my past I have taken time to visit Great River Energy power production sites in North Dakota.” Adding, “We continue to see changes in power demand and methods of producing power. I would like to be part of the planning process to continue to provide affordable and reliable electricity to our members.” As for what he would bring to the board if elected, “I feel that I can bring good listening skills, common sense and reasoning to the Board,” wrote Daniel. He stated that owning his own business will allow him “to attend all meetings required both at and away from the board table.” Daniel noted decisions for the future of Steele-Waseca should be made with information that is well researched, sensible, and good for the future of the co-op and its members. “I would appreciate your vote to be the next director for District 7,” stated Daniel. 

Ronald D. Sommers, incumbent, is secretary/treasurer of SWCE’s board of directors. He and his wife, Ruth, live on the farm where he grew up in Northfield Township. They have a daughter and son, both married and each with two children. Ronald graduated from the University of Minnesota with  bachelors and masters degrees in agriculture. His career included over 20 years as an agricultural educator in southern Minnesota, and nearly 20 years with Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc., where he served as sales accounting manager for their Central Division and later sales coordinator for Minnesota. He has been honored as Rice County 4-H Alumnus of the Year, Rice County Soil Conservationist of the Year, and received the Honorary Minnesota and Honorary American FFA Degrees. In 2022, Ronald was inducted into the Minnesota FFA Hall of Fame. He believes in the cooperative business model and is familiar with the vital role cooperatives played in bringing modern electric power to rural areas. “Today our industry faces new challenges as we address changing technology, environmental concerns and increasing costs,” wrote Ronald. “I would like to be part of planning our cooperative’s future by continuing to serve on the SWCE board of directors.”   

Scott J. Carlson, incumbent, and his wife, Lisa, live in rural Faribault. They have two grown children, Grant and Grace. Scott holds a bachelor’s degree in meteorology and currently serves as a weather observer, providing data to the Minnesota State Climate Office. He is a retired air traffic controller and has lived in District 9 for the past 26 years. Scott wrote he has enjoyed his first three years on the SWCE board, “and is honored to work alongside management and his fellow board members to help ensure a reliable safe energy system while maintaining the lowest possible rates for cooperative members.”