Schwab reflects on career with Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric
Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric Safety Coordinator/Member Service Representative Jack Schwab formally retired April 2, but you may have noticed him at the co-op’s annual meeting in June as he assisted with the behind-the-scenes work required when conducting an annual meeting.
“Transitioning to a mail-in ballot was more of an undertaking than it sounds,” stated Jack. “All bylaw language needed to be satisfied 100%. However, well worth the effort to give all members greater flexibility to participate and vote.”
Jack started with Steele-Waseca, Nov. 19, 1990, as an apprentice line technician. “I was very grateful to land a utility job basically in my backyard,” said Jack. “I grew up in rural Faribault. Most lineworkers fresh out of school had to travel quite far to find work to get started.”
With not quite a year at Steele-Waseca, Jack experienced the infamous Halloween ice storm in 1991, still considered by many the worst storm to ever move through the co-op’s service territory.
“It seemed like there was no end to the damage,” wrote Jack. “I was stationed southeast of Owatonna for 2-3 weeks after the storm. What I remember most is one day working to tip up poles & bang ice off the wires. We finished a section of line toward sunset. Having a discussion at an intersection to make more plans, we watched the line section start tumbling over like dominoes. The wind won!”
Jack had many roles with Steele-Waseca during his career. “I’m grateful I had the opportunity for the variety,” stated Jack. “Line work, electric metering to automated meter reading. The most challenging: high usage concerns and stray voltage concerns were the ones that required the most patience. Tracking down activity involving electricity, an invisible product, came with difficulty at times, but produced such rewards when identified.”
The sixth cooperative principle is cooperation among cooperatives. Jack had the opportunity to represent Steele-Waseca with Nordean Hartle as they traveled south to assist following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
“I loved helping other utilities when the calling surfaced,” wrote Jack. “Every part of country has its own culture and it is wonderful to experience. Very appreciative people we met while rebuilding powerlines. Favorite day: rebuilding line into an alligator farm & getting a tour afterwards.”
Linemen Jack Schwab (left) and Nordean Hartle are pictured with Steele-Waseca’s bucket truck among the debris in the Franklington, Louisiana area devastated by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005.
Jack’s final position with Steele-Waseca came when he was hired to the new position of safety coordinator/member service representative on March 1, 2018. “Being promoted to safety coordinator has provided me a new focus on improving the workplace and the work procedures,” wrote Jack. “Everyday brings an opportunity to be safer than the day before.”
Among the projects Jack has worked on that generated such a positive response, not involving electricity, was the pollinator project located adjacent to The Sunna Project solar panels on the west side of the co-op’s property. Jack worked with the Steele County Farm Service Agency to qualify the property under provisions of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).
Seeding of the 1.83 acre plot was completed in May 2020 with a combination of grasses, sedges, forbs, and legumes. After a couple of mowings the pollinator plants started to bloom the following spring.
“The pollinator project brought such a good response from the local community,” wrote Jack. “Having an area devoted to sustainability & the environment has been a win win no question. Even had a new bride call to get permission to take wedding photos out in the flowering patch.”
With getting a taste of retirement, Jack said he hopes to continue farming, travel more, and to fulfill the duties of a new title, “Grandpa,” adding “Can’t wait.”
When asked what he’ll think about most when looking back at his Steele-Waseca career, “I will remember the people SWCE serves,” wrote Jack. “We have a great, diverse membership indeed.” Steele-Waseca appreciates Jack’s diversity of roles during his career at the co-op, and wish him a safe and fulfilling retirement.
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