Annual Meeting 2026

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.”