The 2019 director election process began with director nominations at the District 3, 6, and 9 meetings in February. In District 3, Steve Andrie and Mike Brasel were nominated as candidates, and Pam Moe and Eugene Zepper were added by petition. Joyce Valley was nominated without opposition in District 6 and, in accordance with the bylaws, is deemed elected by *acclamation. In District 9, incumbent Robert Shaw and Charles Grunewald were nominated as candidates. Members will receive ballots in May, and the election will take place at the annual meeting on June 6^th. Here are the nominations for each district:

• District 3: Steve Andrie, Mike Brasel, Pam Moe, Eugene Zepper
• District 6: Joyce Valley
• District 9: Robert Shaw (incumbent), Charles Grunewald

District 3

Steve Andrie

I grew up in Bluffton, MN and graduated from Wadena High School. After high school, I served in the Navy. I received my Electrical Engineering degree from NDSU and went on to work for Minnesota Power (MP) for 27 years where I became a Registered Professional Engineer. During my tenure at MP, I worked as a Distribution Engineer and a Customer Service Manager. I was MP’s representative on the State Renewable Power Interconnect Committee and retired from MP in 2015. I presently live on Rush Lake with my wife, Renee. I am a board member of the Bluffton Lions organization and am treasurer of the Ottertail Rod and Gun Club. I believe the Lake Region Electric Cooperative Board should continue to provide its members with electricity in the most efficient, cost-effective way. I also believe the Cooperative should be prepared to address the changing nature of electric generation as emerging technologies continue to develop.

Mike Brasel

I live outside of Perham in Corliss Township with my wife, Kim, and three boys. I was born and raised near Perham. My career started in the U.S. Navy as an electrician and operator aboard two nuclear powered ships serving for six years. I earned my degree in Mechanical Engineering and furthered my education with a Masters in Business Administration. I worked for Dairyland Power Cooperative in La Crosse, WI for over 10 years where I held positions of Project Manager and Power Plant Manager. I am currently the Director, Supply Chain Development at NuScale Power, responsible for supplier development and manufacturing of nuclear reactors, instrumentation and controls, and special lifting devices for new small modular nuclear power plants. I currently serve on the Perham Health Hospital District Board where I am on the Executive and Finance Committees and the EOT Pharmacy Board.

Pam Moe

I have lived in the area my entire life. I grew up by Vergas and graduated from Perham High School. I have been married for 36 years. We have lived on Round Lake south of Perham for the last 20 years. I have worked for Otter Tail County for the last 2 ½ years and previously worked for Becker County for 22 years. As our children are no longer living at home, I now have the time and want to serve the community in ways that are best suited for me. I am the Clerk for Rush Lake Township and enjoy every aspect of that position. I enjoy working with and helping people. I will devote as much time as needed to do a great job for the LREC members as the District 3 director on the LREC Board.

Eugene Zepper

For 38 years, I have owned and operated a dairy farm in Otter Tail County. I have been actively involved in farm organizations and co-op boards during those years. I have a Bachelor of Science, Ag Economics from NDSU and host a cable tv show about farm life. My wife, Arlys, and I have two adult daughters and two grandsons. For the past eight years, I have been a Kinship mentor to a young boy. I have also served as a church council member for many years, including times as treasurer and church president. If elected to LREC’s Board of Directors, I will give the job the time and commitment required to do the best job possible and I bring no special interests to the job.

District 6

Joyce Valley

My background is in office work, having worked as office manager for a mobile home factory in Indiana, and an insurance agency in FF. I have served on the FF Board of Hospice, was clerk of Lida Township, and am extremely proud to have been a financial analyst at a California company called TRW the Space Division. Few are aware of my award of a small flag that was once thrust into space with the Hubble Space Telescope. Our family of seven children and nine grandchildren has benefitted us with the joy of 24 great-grandchildren. My personal interests have allowed me to participate as a volunteer in the community and retirement has afforded me to be an enthusiastic quilter. This is my final term to be elected to the LREC Board for District 6. It has truly been an honor.

District 9

Robert Shaw (incumbent)

I was born and raised in Elmo Township. I spent two years in the U.S. Army, with one year in Vietnam. I owned my own business for 40 years. I still crop farm and raise beef cattle. I am married to Judy and have three children and eight grandchildren. I am a life member of the Wadena VFW and a member of the Deer Creek Lions. I have been a District 9 director for the past 12 years. With term limits of five three-year terms, if elected, this would be my last term. I would like to thank the members of District 9 for their support and would be honored to serve them for the next three years.

Charles Grunewald

I am retired from directing in the Blattner Energy Electrical sector. Blattner installed 42.5 percent of U.S. wind and solar in 2018. I daily review energy news, reports, and renewable conferences related to Great River Energy (GRE) and LREC, sharing information with LREC. I also manage my irrigated farm. I attended Morris WCSA and earned a BS in Electrical/Environmental Engineering from NDSU. I did a graduate study at NDSU on Capital Expenditure Analysis and Industrial Engineering. My utility experience includes work as a journeyman fleet mechanic, journeyman lineman, division engineer, and crew management. I’ve been involved in strategic utility planning for 40 years; such as developing load management, rate schedules, planning transmission reliability, and as a wind industry utility representative. I also enjoy serving as a Scoutmaster and youth hockey coach.