Annual Meeting

Runestone Electric Association holds an Annual Meeting each spring to update members on how their co-op is doing financially and operationally, to elect directors, and to transact business. It is an opportunity for members to learn more about their co-op, ask questions, and get educated on programs offered by Runestone Electric Association. Members are notified each year by mail and in the newsletter when and where the Annual Meeting will take place.

2024 Annual Meeting Results

REA Board of Directors

Runestone Electric Association held its Annual Meeting on Thursday, April 25, at the Alexandria Area High School Performing Arts Center. Board of Director seats were determined in Districts 2 and 5, and scholarships were awarded to 26 students.

Runestone Electric’s bylaws allow for uncontested director elections to be elected by acclamation. In District 2, Barbara Johnson ran unopposed and was reelected, and in District 5, Mike Loken ran unopposed and was reelected.

Board President Andy Anderson and CEO Al Haman reported on the cooperative’s activities and financial condition during the business meeting. “Safety is a priority at REA. The board, management, and most importantly, our employees take safety very seriously in everything they do,” said President Anderson. He also highlighted the highly successful Operation Round Up program, the Member Advisory Council, and the Cooperative Network Builder Award recently presented to District 3 Director Audrey Hjelle.

“At year-end, the cooperative’s total assets were $103 million. That includes plant assets like the office and warehouse, lines, poles, and transformers. All our ratios exceed lending requirements. The cooperative finished 2023 with 231 new services built,” said CEO Haman. Minnesota’s new carbon-free by 2040 law, MISO’s responsibility for electric reliability and management of the wholesale power markets, renewable energy systems owned by REA members, and electric vehicle use in the REA service territory were also discussed in the CEO Report.

Twenty-six 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:

• Tucker McGrane, parents are Josh McGrane, Carlos and Cassie McGrane, Alexandria:
• Taye Mathews, parents are Chad & Carla Mathews, Carlos:
• Jalyn Halverson, parents are Jay & Angie Halverson, Carlos:
• Brayden Larson, parents are Brent & Michelle Larson, Alexandria;
• Holly Lenarz, parents are Thomas & Denise Lenarz, Sartell;
• Dakota Christopherson, parents are Timothy & Amy Christopherson, Alexandria;
• Allex Schmidt, David & Amanda Schmidt, Evansville;
• Callie Glawe, parents are Jeremy & Jessica Glawe, Hoffman;
• Carson Anderson, parents are Tyler & Kellie Anderson, Evansville;
• Alexa Blume, parents are Dominic & Charlene Blume, Elbow Lake;
• Taylor Suchy, parents are Patrick & Lana Suchy, Brandon;
• Gavin Engelbrecht, parents are Darren & Tara Engelbrecht, Alexandria;
• Rylee Bundermann, parents are Steven & Karen Bundermann, Alexandria;
• Kadyn Weber, parents are John & Sarah Weber, Alexandria;
• Hunter Walz, parents are Michael & Nadine Walz, Alexandria;
• Levi Johnson, parents are Adam & Jill Johnson, Garfield;
• Ashlyn Bergemann, parents are Daniel Bergemann & Lisa Anderson, Alexandria;
• Owen Draper, parents are Michael & Kelli Draper, Alexandria;
• Geneva Reemts, parents are Randy & Sara Reemts, Alexandria;
• Kyle Mages, parents are James & Tricia Mages, Osakis;
• Carter Reinke, parents are Keith & Angie Reinke, Osakis;
• Kerith Baker, parents are Kevin & Connie Baker, Villard;
• Ean Crossley, parents are Larry & Darla Crossley, Carlos;
• Dane Anderson, parents are Mikkel & Amanda Anderson, Kensington;
• Haley Shea, parents are Adam & Michelle Shea, Glenwood; and
• Emera Sanow, parents are Jason & Vanessa Sanow, Glenwood.

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), Audrey Hjelle (District 3), and Joel Seela (District 6).

Watch The 2024 Annual Meeting: