Nominating Committee responsible for finding director candidates

The Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric board of directors have approved appointments to the 2027 Nominating Committee. 

It is the nominating committee’s responsibility to prepare the list of director candidates and post it at the cooperative’s office at least 30 days prior to the annual meeting scheduled Tuesday, June 8, 2027. 

All Steele-Waseca members are eligible to serve as board directors. The governance role of directors can be summarized as being responsible for setting the overall policy and monitoring the business affairs of the cooperative. 

If you are interested in becoming a director, you may call Executive Assistant Jenifer Shimpach at Steele-Waseca, and a director’s nomination form will be sent to you. 

Or, if you know another member who would make a good director, and you want him or her to be considered, please contact the nominating committee member (listed below) nearest you. However, before you make the request, be certain the person will accept the position if nominated.

The Nominating Committee is conducting two in-person meetings. The first was Nov. 19; the second meeting is scheduled Jan. 14, 2027. The committee would appreciate any assistance you can provide in helping them select director candidates. 

All Steele-Waseca members are eligible to vote each year for all expiring board director positions. 

The districts with directors up for election in 2027 include the following: 

•  District 1: Kilkenny Township in Le Sueur County; and Shieldsville, Morristown, Warsaw Townships, and the Southwest Quarter (SW 1/4) of Wells Township in Rice County. (Represented by PJ Duchene)

• District 3: New Richland Township in Waseca County; and Berlin and Summit Townships in Steele County. (Represented by Neil Schlaak) 

• District 5: Newry and Geneva Townships in Freeborn County; and Blooming Prairie Township in Steele County; and Westfield, Ripley, Ashland, Hayfield, Claremont, Wasioja, Ellington, and Concord Townships in Dodge County; and Kenyon Township in Goodhue County; and Richland Township in Rice County. (Represented by Rodney Krell)

Nominating Committee members include District 1: Mark Lessman, Faribault, 507-412-1236; Terry LaCroix, Faribault, 507-491-2570; and Casey/Natalie Roeker, New Richland, 507380-8443; District 3: Jon Meyer, New Richland, 507-456-0384; Ron/Kay Keller, Faribault, 507-838-9843; and Ralph/Leann Miller, Owatonna, 507-451-3249; District 5: Bruce Rumpza, Blooming Prairie, 507-583-2091; Lonna Selkirk, Faribault, 612-790-1457; and Douglas Starks, Owatonna, 507-451-8844. 

Director election results will be announced during the business portion of the annual meeting, held at Steele-Waseca’s headquarters, located at 2411 West Bridge Street in Owatonna. The election of directors will be conducted by mail-in ballot. There will be no voting for directors at the annual meeting. 

#swceTRUST