Two new directors elected by mail-in ballot announced at Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric’s 89th Annual Meeting
Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric members in attendance for the co-op’s 89th annual meeting at its headquarters in Owatonna Tuesday, June 3, learned the results of the co-op’s mail-in ballot for three director seats.
Steele-Waseca Cooperative Attorney Tricia Lancaster announced to the 487 registered members in attendance that a total of 1,304 mail-in ballots were received by Survey & Ballot Systems, who managed and audited the results. In District 2, Anton H. Seykora of rural Ellendale was elected to a three-year term with 720 votes to 549 for Candidate Lianne M. Possin of rural New Richland. District 4 Incumbent Dennis C. Ringhofer of rural Owatonna was unopposed and re-elected to a three-year term with 1,177 votes. In District 6, Weston L. Wilson of rural Owatonna was elected to a three-year term with 544 votes; candidates Alex Ebenhoh of rural Claremont and Michael T. Herman of rural Owatonna received 507 and 202 votes respectively.
Retiring board directors Gary Wilson and Gerri Lienke were recognized for their years of service on the board; Wilson served for 33 years.
and Lienke for 21. She addressed the 1,024 members and guests in attendance, “Can you believe it? Twenty-one years ago, you elected me as director of District 2. Today I’d like to thank each and every one of you as you continued to vote for me over the past 21 years. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life which I’ll never forget. I feel so blessed. It wasn’t all sunshine and roses, but together we worked through it and kept the lights on. I will certainly miss my co-op family as I step down.
“At the time I was elected, Jerry Mikels was the CEO. When we attended various out of town meetings such as regional, district, or state meetings, he’d introduce me as ‘the first lady,’ and I’d correct him, ‘I’m the first female elected to our board.’ He also commented that having a female on the board brought a new perspective on many topics and it was greatly appreciated.
“An old adage states, ‘To keep peace in the hen house, you need at least one rooster.’ So maybe to keep peace in the rooster house, you need one good hen. My one and only prayer is that you continue to seek out more women, along with men, to have the opportunity you gave me.
“Thanks again for 21 years of your support. I will cherish all the memories forever. God Bless.”
Members attending this year’s annual meeting received a $30 Power Perks certificate good at participating Steele-Waseca member-owned businesses, and a $50 Energy Star® certificate good toward the purchase of products with the Energy Star logo. Both certificates expire on Dec. 31, 2025 (no exceptions). In addition, attending members received a package of wool dryer balls to help save energy drying clothes in a clothes dryer.
Prior to the start of the annual meeting, members had the opportunity to donate to an area food shelf with a non-perishable item or cash. In exchange, Steele-Waseca gave donors an LED lightbulb. The co-op gave away 157 bulbs and collected 219 pounds in non-perishable items and $276. The items and money this year were donated to the New Richland Area Food Shelf.
There were two Early Bird prize drawings. Richard Johnson of rural Claremont had his registration card selected for a $250 gift certificate from 4-Seasons Vacations in Albert Lea and $100 gift certificate from Nagel Sod in Medford. A representative with Moland Lutheran Church had their card selected for a $250 gift certificate from 4-Seasons Vacations in Albert Lea and a $100 gift certificate from Boonie’s Bar & Grill in Faribault. 70110
The Presentation of Colors with the Color Guard, Owatonna High School, and the Faribault Middle School preceded the formal start of the annual meeting.
The meeting also included member approval of the financial report and remarks from General Manager Syd Briggs regarding a summary of the past year for Steele-Waseca and plans in the works for the upcoming year.
Steele-Waseca’s 2024 Youth Tour Delegate Langston Richter of Faribault had a PowerPoint presentation on his experience last year in Washington, D.C. Steele-Waseca Member Services Supervisor Randy Sobrack announced no applications were received for the 2025 Youth Tour and changes were being developed to encourage applications for the Tour in 2026.
Prior to adjournment of the annual meeting, members were given the opportunity to ask questions. Among the topics were sources of power, transmission line construction, electric vehicles, battery storage, and a data center coming to Steele-Waseca’s service area.
Following adjournment, the drawing for prizes and flowers was conducted. The first-place prize was a gift card package of $150 to Casey General Store and $150 to Steve’s Meat Market in Ellendale that went to Gerard/Julie Bach, Minnesota Lake. The second-place prize was a gift card package of $100 to Casey’s General Store and $100 to Grampa’s Ole Home Meats, Medford, that went to Ronald Bultman, Faribault. The third-place prize of a $100 gift card to Lerberg’s Foods, Ellendale, went to Robin/Steven Bjorkquist, Owatonna.
A drawing for the flowers on stage for the annual meeting went to the following: Mark Skroch, Ellendale; Randall Wilkie, Geneva; Dike Deitchler, Northfield; Thompson Oaks Well Association, Ellendale; Larry/Diane Kuchenbecker, Owatonna; Daniel Maas, Faribault; Jessica Oeltjenbruns, Claremont; Dennis/Christy Ebeling, Owatonna; Thomas Tranby, Faribault; Brent Kubat, Owatonna; Larry/Jane Pete, Lonsdale; Jacob Simonson, Lakeville; Walter Bice, Waseca; Donald/Constance Abbe, Medford; Linda Tollefsrud, Rochester; Kenneth/Jenell Warner, Owatonna; Denise/Bret Running, Claremont; Mark Robinson, Blooming Prairie; Larry/Denise Brekke, Owatonna; Allan Severson, Blooming Prairie; Donald McMartin, Claremont; Nick/Barbara Dacloush, Dodge Center; and Marvin/Sharon Johnson, Owatonna.
Following the conclusion of the annual meeting and lunch, the co-op’s board of directors met for their reorganizational meeting. There were no officer changes, so continuing is: Rodney D. Krell, Blooming Prairie, president; PJ Duchene, Faribault, vice president; Ronald D. Sommers, Northfield, secretary/treasurer; and Scott J. Carlson, Faribault, assistant secretary/treasurer.
Steele-Waseca has nearly 12,000 service locations in a nine-county area including: Blue Earth, Dodge, Faribault, Freeborn, Goodhue, LeSueur, Rice, Steele, and Waseca counties. The co-op’s 90th annual meeting will be Tuesday, June 2, 2026.
Appreciation
#swceAPPRECIATION
