Federated Rural Electric in Jackson conducted its 89th annual meeting virtually.
"We had 1,049 members vote by mail to create a quorum,” said Scott Reimer, Federated's general manager. “Due to declining annual meeting attendance and increasing costs, we conducted a remote annual meeting using Zoom.”
Members voted for director positions.
In District Three, Tyler Ayers, Alpha, was elected with 981 votes.
Members re-elected Scott Thiesse, Welcome, for District Four versus Harold Knutson (Jackson) by a 592-430 margin.
On the Nominating Committee, Marlys Runge (Lakefield) was elected for District One over Blake Rossow (Lakefield) 553-460 votes. Thomas Cunningham (Round Lake) ran unopposed and was elected with 988 votes for District Two.
After 24 years of service Federated Board President David A. Hansen is retiring from his District Three director position, effective Dec. 31. He also served 14 years as Federated’s Board President.
“President Hansen has served Federated members for many years,” said Reimer.
“Dave’s dedication to the members, concern for employees and board leadership are greatly appreciated. Federated changes during these years include the addition of smart meters, building the Welcome wind turbine, addition of the three ethanol plants and soybean processing plants, plus the Alliant Energy customer acquisition of 1,700 new electric members from five towns. He’s also witnessed the addition of Federated Broadband and delivering fiber internet services to our two counties. What a lot of change and growth during this era!”
In addition, Federated members approved amendments to the Federated Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation by 902-57.
The approved changes formalized allocating Federated Broadband capital credits to those electric members who also receive Broadband services, operating it as a cooperative and not as a subsidiary.
Members also voted to approve the 2023 Annual Meeting minutes and the 2024 Nominating Committee Meeting minutes.
Federated is a Touchstone Energy cooperative serving 5,300 electric member-owners in Jackson and Martin counties.