SWCE’S Nominating Committee announces board candidates for 2026

The Nominating Committee for Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric have announced their selection of candidates for the board seats up for election in Districts 7, 8, and 9, as election results will be announced at this year’s annual meeting scheduled Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at the co-op’s headquarters, 2411 W. Bridge St., Owatonna.

The committee first met Nov. 19, 2025, at Steele-Waseca’s headquarters.

Attorney Tricia Lancaster reviewed the duties of the Nominating Committee as stated in the co-op’s bylaws, the activities and conduct of individual board members policy, the qualifications for eligibility for service on the co-op’s board of directors’ policy, campaign policy, the director election filing form and affirmation of director qualifications, and questions concerning qualifications for director.

Board President Rodney Krell highlighted areas of the board of director position description with the committee. He also addressed potential questions a candidate may have, highlighting the time commitment it takes to be a board director.

General Manager Syd Briggs reviewed the selection process with the committee. He explained the nominating committee policy and the rotation plan for the committee which works on a rotation system always keeping six experienced members on the committee, and adding three new members each year.

A list of members in each district was handed out and reviewed. It was suggested that committee members from each district meet together to search for candidates and review the information given to them. 

Nominations for committee chairperson for the January meeting were opened, and Daniel Maas was nominated by Doug Starks. After the nomination was seconded, Briggs declared Maas nominating committee chairperson. After no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

The Nominating Committee conducted their second meeting, Jan. 13, at Steele-Waseca’s headquarters.

Maas called the meeting to order and appointed Executive Assistant Jenifer Shimpach as recording secretary. 

Lancaster reviewed the director duties, standard of conduct policy, and qualifications for eligibility for service on the board of directors’ policy.

Briggs reviewed the director position description, highlighting director responsibilities, board-manager relations, board-cooperative member relations, and board-community relations. 

The names of the following candidates were announced. They will appear on the mail-in ballot sent during the week of April 27 to members, and mailed back by members so they are received at the return mailing address by 10 a.m., Friday, May 29:

•  District 7: Daniel J. Maas, Faribault.

•  District 8: Ronald D. Sommers (incumbent), Northfield.

•  District 9: Scott J. Carlson (incumbent), Faribault.

A profile of each candidate will appear in the May 2026 Sparks newsletter. Additional candidates may be listed on the ballot if they obtain the signatures of 200 Steele-Waseca members and submit it within 50 days (April 13) of the annual meeting. This year’s Nominating Committee consisted of the following Steele-Waseca members: District 7—Matt LaCanne, Faribault; Daniel/Stacy Maas, Faribault; and Casey/Natalie Roeker, New Richland; District 8—Ralph/Leann Miller, Owatonna; Ron/Kay Keller, Faribault; and Bert Wiersma, Ellendale; District 9—Douglas Starks, Owatonna; Lonna Selkirk, Faribault; and Bruce Rumpza, Blooming Prairie.