Election results will be announced at the Annual Meeting on April 23, 2025.

ELECTION BY ACCLAMATION: The director elections in District One and Four were uncontested, therefore no ballots will be mailed. Candidates will be elected by acclamation at the Annual Meeting.

ELECTION BY BALLOT: There are three candidates running in District Three, therefore ballots will be mailed to the members in District Three.

District One Candidate

District 1 Townships: Burleene, Carlos, Eastern, Miltona, Parkers Prairie, Spruce Hill and Wykeham Townships in Douglas, Otter Tail and Todd Counties.

Gary (Andy) Anderson
Parkers Prairie

Gary (Andy) Anderson (Incumbent) was nominated at the District 1 meeting. A resident of Miltona Township and an REA member since 2000, Andy and his wife Kathy have two adult daughters and four grandchildren.

Andy was appointed to the REA Board in 2015 and served as board secretary for five years and is currently the board president. He represents REA on the Great River Energy Board of Directors. Andy is an NRECA Credentialed Cooperative Director. Andy and Kathy served on the REA Member Advisory Council.

With a 44-year career in the communication business, Andy was also manager for Alexandria Technical & Community College’s Fire Training Program. Andy & Kathy are the owners of Advanced Fire Training & Asbestos Inspections.

Retired from the Parkers Prairie Fire Department after 43 years of service, Andy has served as mayor of the Parkers Prairie City Council, member of the Parkers Prairie Economic Development Corp. and supervisor for Miltona Township.

District Three Candidates

District Three Townships: Aastad, Darnen, Delaware, Donnelly, Eagle Lake, Elbow Lake, Elk Lake, Erdahl, Evansville, Framnas, Gorton, Hodges, Land, Lien, Logan, Lund, Macsville, Pelican Lake, Pomme De Terre, Rendsville, Roseville, Sanford, Stoney Brook, St. Olaf, Swan Lake, and Tumili Townships in Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail and Stevens County.

Glenn Hjelle
Elbow Lake

Members since 1997, Glenn and his wife Paula live and farm in Erdahl township. Their daughter lives in Milwaukee with her husband.

A graduate of NDSU, Glenn is a certified crop advisor, has provided agricultural chemical application, tiling and ditching as Hjelle Custom Service.

The Hjelle farm has been in continuous agricultural operation since 1887, receiving Water Quality Certification in 2021. The couple raises wheat, corn, soybeans, a small pumpkin patch, fruit and garden produce. Concerned with the environment and a clean reliable source of electricity, Glenn has two electric vehicles and is implementing no-till farming.

Glenn has previously served on boards for Farmers Co-op Oil, Farm Bureau, and church council. He is a member of the Wheat, Soybean, and Corn Growers Associations, MN Soil Health Coalition, Sustainable Farming Association, Land Stewardship Project. Glenn is currently on MN Wheat Research and Promotion Council.

Glenn is looking forward to representing the people of District 3 in a bright future.

Lori Sommers
Barrett

Lori graduated from West Central Area School in 1987 and later earned a degree in law enforcement from Northland Community College. After high school, she had one daughter, Heather Hjelle.

Family has always been a cornerstone of Lori’s life, with her parents, Tom and Audrey Hjelle, playing a significant role in her upbringing.

This year, Lori also earned her insurance license, adding another achievement to her diverse career. She dedicated 23 years to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, showcasing her commitment and integrity. Lori also ventured into entrepreneurship by owning two businesses in Waseca, MN—six rental properties and a bar.

In 2020, she moved back to Barrett, becoming an active member of Peace Lutheran Church, where she served on the church council and manages the church library. Additionally, Lori started a local book club and enjoys participating in community events. Her experiences highlight a strong work ethic, dedication to community service, making her a respected and engaged community member. 

Jon Winter
Hoffman

Jon Winter was nominated for the board at the District 3 meeting. Jon and his wife Tanya raised four kids and several foster children on a farm between Barrett and Hoffman and now are empty nesters. They have been members of REA for over 25 years.

Jon attended college at NDSU and earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering. He also earned a degree in Lamb and Wool Management from Minnesota West Community and Technical College. He owns and operates a grain farm and sheep herd.

Jon served on the Hoffman Co-op Grain board for 16 years. At that point it merged and is currently Pro-Ag Farmers Cooperative. Jon serves on the board as vice president. He served on the Messiah Lutheran Church Council as President and several other committees. He also really enjoyed coaching several of his children’s youth sports teams through the years.

District Four Candidate

District 4 Townships: Brandon, Holmes City, Moe, Solem and Urness.

Dave Staples
Kensington

Dave Staples (Incumbent) was nominated at the District 4 meeting. Dave and his wife, Amy, along with their four children reside in a rural home near Kensington where they have been REA members for over 24 years.

Dave was elected to the REA Board in 2019 and is an NRECA Credentialed Cooperative Director. He is the REA Board Secretary and serves as a governor on the STAR Energy Services Board of Directors.

Dave attended college at Moorhead State University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management. He worked for the Minnesota Department of Transportation for 21 years. He owns and operates a grain farm near Kensington where he has farmed for 31 years.

Dave is an active community member and currently serves on the Douglas County Corn and Soybean Growers Committee, the Alexandria Technical College Farm Business Advisory Committee, and has served on various church boards over the years.