John Tegler retires from East-Central Iowa Rural Electric Cooperative

Member Service Electrical Technician John Tegler is hanging up his hard hat and retiring after more than three decades of dedicated service. John has been a familiar and trusted face at your Cooperative—known not just for his technical skill but for his passion for service, safety, and community. He has always gone above and beyond, whether he was responding to a member’s call, assisting with energy efficiency questions, or giving electrical safety demonstrations.

John began his career with ECI REC’s parent cooperative—Buchanan County REC—in May 1994. Throughout his career, he shared vital safety messages with thousands of grade-schoolers, emergency responders, and community members across our service territory. His engaging and memorable demonstrations—complete with live line tools and heartfelt storytelling—made a lasting impact. Local teachers and first responders often said they looked forward to seeing “John and the sparks” each year.

Respected by his peers and appreciated by our membership, John earned a reputation as someone who could be counted on in fair weather or foul. He has been the go-to person for both members and co-workers, offering not only electrical expertise but also mentorship, friendship, and a steady presence in a constantly evolving industry.

“John has been a pillar of this Cooperative,” said Manager of Member Service Adam Albertsen. “His knowledge, dependability, and care for others reflect the very best of what it means to work at a cooperative.”

In retirement, John plans to spend more time with his family, travel a bit, and no doubt continue to lend a hand in his community—as he’s always done. We thank John for his years of commitment, leadership, and service, and we wish him all the best in this next chapter. Congratulations!

PLEASE JOIN US!

We're hosting a retirement open house celebration to honor John’s 31 years of contributions to and lasting impact on East-Central Iowa REC.

Thursday, November 13

• 3:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
• Independence Operations Center, 1707 1st St. East

John Tegler photos courtesy of the ECI REC archives.