Statewide Association Annual Meeting Celebrates 2024 Achievements and Introduces New Leadership

The Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives (IAEC)—the trade association for Iowa’s electric cooperatives—held its 2024 annual meeting at the Sheraton West Des Moines Conference Center on December 5 and 6. There were more than 350 registered attendees. Directors and employees from Iowa’s locally owned electric cooperatives received informative updates from statewide directors and staff, in addition to learning about industry trends and best practices from invited speakers.

“Our theme of ‘Powering Lives, Empowering Communities’ is all about our electric cooperative mission,” remarked outgoing IAEC Board President Kenny VandenBerg. “And even in this year of transition at IAEC, we remain laser-focused on helping our member co-ops carry out this mission.”

IAEC Executive Vice President and General Manager Leslie Kaufman covered several topics during her first executive report to the membership, including a summary of activities from her initial 130 days at IAEC. She also presented a preview of deliverables to expect in the year ahead by department. Kaufman was hired in July, bringing vast leadership and cooperative experience from her time at Kansas Electric Cooperatives and the Kansas Cooperative Council.

During the business portion of the annual meeting, four directors were elected to the IAEC Board:

• District 1: Travis Harris of Southern Iowa Electric Cooperative was elected to a three-year term.
• District 2: Tony Lem of Consumers Energy was reelected to another three-year term.
• District 4: Steve Inskeep of the Pella Cooperative Electric Association was elected to fill a vacancy, which will be a one-year term.
• District 5: Jim Miller of the Calhoun County Electric Cooperative Association was reelected to another three-year term.

The IAEC Board would like to thank outgoing President Kenny VandenBerg of Chariton Valley Electric Cooperative for his leadership and service to Iowa’s electric cooperatives during his six-year tenure. He was presented with a commemorative clock during the business meeting in recognition of his commitment. Managers’ Representative Kevin Wheeler of Access Energy Cooperative was also recognized for his two-year term as an ex officio director on the IAEC Board; his term will expire on January 1, 2025.

The new slate of directors has reorganized and announced the following officers:

• IAEC Board President: Jim Miller, District 5, Calhoun County Electric Cooperative Association
• IAEC Board Vice President: Gordon Greimann, District 6, Franklin Rural Electric Cooperative
• IAEC Board Secretary/Treasurer: Tony Lem, District 2, Consumers Energy
• IAEC Board Assistant Secretary/Treasurer: Jerry Keleher, District 3, Allamakee-Clayton Electric Cooperative

Eleven Iowa electric cooperatives, including ECI REC, were congratulated for completing the Rural Electric Safety Achievement Program (RESAP) in 2024. RESAP is a national safety program that electric cooperatives utilize as a framework to improve safety performance and culture.

Finally, as part of the annual meeting program IAEC coordinated an auction of personally donated items that raised over $15,750 for the Iowa Friends of Rural Electrification (Iowa FORE) political action committee. The funds will stay in Iowa to aid state legislators and candidates who support electric cooperatives.

ECI REC Employees and Directors Honored at IAEC Annual Meeting

• IAEC honored several electric cooperative employees and directors who celebrated 25 years of service in 2024, including ECI REC Line Foreman Brian Reidy. CEO Teresa Floyd and Operations Manager Tom Schmitt congratulated Brian, writing: “His dedication has impacted not only the safety and wellbeing of his co-workers, but also enhances the lives of the members he serves. Thank you for your invaluable contributions to our Cooperative and community.”
• IAEC celebrated 17 graduates of its 2024 Cooperative Leadership in Iowa Program (CLIP). Participants committed to a yearlong calendar of in-person, virtual, and on-demand training sessions, where they gained leadership skills and learned about various cooperative roles. Congratulations to ECI REC Member Service Supervisor Molly Cook and Human Resources Director Katie Stadheim for completing the program!
• Cooperative directors who earned national education certifications during the year were recognized. ECI REC Board President Steve Rau, Vice President Jeff Elliott, and Director Gary McKenna were honored for earning their Director Gold Credential.

Photo credits: IAEC