Manager Connection: Retirement

By SWCE General Manager Syd Briggs

This will be my last general manager column as I am retiring on June 30th of this year. 

It has been a wonderful 17 1/2 years serving you. I appreciate so many people in my tenure here and in my life; and especially the board of directors in 2009 that gave me a chance to work for and have made excellent decisions over the past 90 years, and there have been equally great directors and employees in the last 17 years. 

We have worked together to control costs, increase sales or load, have had very few rate increases, and expanded member opportunities with rebates and renewable programs. 

We have been recognized nationally for our community solar program in addition to our work with members joining our lobbying efforts. One of my favorite programs will always be the town hall meetings we did for most of the years I was here. Being able to discuss particulars of Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric, industry trends, transmission issues, and hearing what was on your mind was priceless. 

Another favorite accomplishment was developing the Power Perks coupon for all our members that attend the annual meeting and helping direct members to businesses owned by our members. 

In addition, it was a proud moment when we were able to vote by mail, which greatly increased the number of members involved in electing directors. Doing this for the first time was no small feat, and we had several employees dedicated to researching and testing this. 

I even had time to learn ice fishing, and I did work in a few Vikings, Twins, Timberwolves, and Wild games; and then I had the privilege of tasting lutefisk for the first time. An employee decided I needed that experience, and believe it or not, I became a fan. It needed a lot of butter, salt, and pepper, but I began to look forward to lutefisk suppers at the end of each year. 

I especially appreciate the board, employees, and members who were cooperative, considerate, and understanding during 2020 and 2021—the COVID years. We dealt with over 100 executive orders from the state along with an initial lack of information, just like everyone across the world. We slowly learned about the disease and how to keep everyone as safe as possible. We have several employees and consultants we relied heavily on to keep us informed, and everyone’s patience was the key to getting through that difficult period. 

I am going to miss dealing with new issues and opportunities that there will be in the immediate future; however, I have full confidence in your leadership and employees already here and dedicated to taking care of you.

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, Mr. 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 that have and are occurring across our state. I am very familiar with both boards and with Kelly and have full confidence in the plan. 

As always, if anyone has any questions or thoughts you would like to share with me, I will remain available until June 30. Please email or call as so many of you have in the past. I plan on staying in Owatonna and look forward to seeing many of you for years to come. 

#swceLIFE+