2025 Annual Meeting Recap

Runestone Electric Association held its Annual Meeting on Wednesday, April 23, at the Alexandria Area High School Performing Arts Center. Board of Director seats were determined in Districts 1, 3 and 4, and scholarships were awarded to 19 students.

Runestone Electric’s bylaws allow for uncontested director elections to be elected by acclamation. In District 1, Gary (Andy) Anderson, Parkers Prairie, ran unopposed and was reelected, and in District 4, Dave Staples, Kensington, ran unopposed and was reelected.

In the District 3 Director election, Jon Winter, Hoffman, was elected to the Board with 215 votes. Glenn Hjelle, Elbow Lake, received 68 votes and Lori Sommers, Barrett, received 39 votes. Winter will serve a one-year term to complete the open term and Anderson and Staples will serve three-year terms.

Board President Gary (Andy) Anderson and CEO Al Haman reported on the cooperative’s activities and financial condition during the business meeting. “2025 is a big year for REA as we celebrate our 90^th Anniversary! It all began with a meeting in August of 1935 for folks interested in organizing a cooperative power line company,” recalled President Anderson. He highlighted some of the early pioneers and challenges of bringing power to the rural areas, the passing of former REA Director Audrey Hjelle, the Member Tour held in October, Operation Round Up, and the REA employee group.

“At year-end, the cooperative’s total assets were $108 million. That includes plant assets like the office and warehouse, lines, poles, and transformers. All our ratios exceed lending requirements. The cooperative finished 2024 with 152 new services built,” said CEO Haman. Where and how power is delivered to REA members, potential impacts of tariffs, the future of nuclear energy in Minnesota, and local power reliability were also discussed in the CEO Report.

Nineteen students whose parents or guardians are REA members received $1,000 scholarships funded through unclaimed capital credits. Randomly drawn from each of the seven REA districts, winners include:

• Weston Olson, parent Garth Olson of Miltona
• Paislee Dummer, parents Erik & Carrie Dummer of Alexandria
• Pearse Byrne, parents John Byrne & Kelly Jahner-Byrne of Woodbury
• Brooklyn Taylor, parents James & Natasha Taylor of Alexandria
• Sadie Koehler, parents Rodney & Kelly Koehler of Morris
• Evan Rollofson, parents Chad & Gwen Rollofson of Barrett
• Justin Miller, parents Jason & Julie Miller of Herman
• Alex Aldis, parents James & Carmen Aldis of Alexandria
• Addison Staples, parents Dave & Amy Carlson of Kensington
• Natalie Meichsner, parents Bryan & Lisa Meichsner of Brandon
• Tyler Spaeth, parents Jeremy & Carla Spaeth of Alexandria
• Zachary Anderson, parents Randy & Nicole Anderson of Alexandria
• Mason Gorghuber, parents Eric & Bonita Gorghuber of Garfield
• Jaxson Bakeberg, parents Kyle & Tina Bakeberg of Nelson
• Grace Reinke, parents Keith & Angela Reinke of Osakis
• Taven Ebnet, parents Christoper & Lindsey Ebnet of Nelson
• Luke Hoffmann, parents Franklyn & Mindy Hoffmann of Glenwood
• Ellie Douvier, parents Tony & Mandy Douvier of Glenwood
• Levi Schultz, parents Nathan & Melissa Schultz of Lowry

Immediately following the adjournment of the meeting, the Board of Directors held a Reorganization Meeting to elect officers. Elected were Gary (Andy) Anderson (District 1), President; Mike Loken (District 5), Vice President; Matthew Mattson (District 7), Treasurer; and Dave Staples (District 4), Secretary. Other directors include Barbara Johnson (District 2), Jon Winter (District 3), and Joel Seela (District 6).

Watch the Annual Meeting:

Your Board of Directors from left to right: Gary (Andy) Anderson – District 1, Dave Staples – District 4, Barbara Johnson – District 2, Jon Winter – District 3, Mike Loken – District 5,  Joel Seela – District 6, and Matt Mattson – District 7