Thomas Guenther

The Board of Directors held their monthly meeting and discussed energy issues and corporate legislation impacting Wild Rice Electric Cooperative with Minnesota Senator Steve Green. They also heard a presentation on MN Paid Family Medical Leave. The board approved financial reports and statements for August 2025, rescheduled the regular April 2026 board meeting, accepted the results of the RUS compliance audit and the 2024 Form 990, approved strategic plan initiatives, authorized an agreement with Lake Region Electric Cooperative on shared IT services, and accepted various management and power reports.

The Wild Rice Electric Cooperative Board of Directors authorized a donation to NRECA International and welcomed Deb Hagy as the new Member Services Representative. The board accepted the Annual Meeting Committee Report, the December 2024 Operation Round Up Report, and appointed Ryan Opatril to the WREC Trust Board. They approved the 2025 Budget, the final draft of the Bylaw amendments for the 2025 Annual Meeting, and the monthly Cooperative policy review. Additionally, the board accepted management department reports, the Minnkota Power report, the Square Butte report, and the MREA report.

The meeting included presentation of the colors by the American Legion Color Guard and the National Anthem performed by Blū Kanū. The meeting covered the Secretary's Report, approval of the 2023 Annual Meeting minutes, and the Nominating Committee Report for director positions. There was recognition of Russell Okeson for his 45 years of service on the Wild Rice Electric Board of Directors. The 2023 Financial Reports were presented, along with the Treasurer's Report and the CEO's report, which summarized the 2023 highlights, including aiding a neighboring cooperative in power restoration, focus on safety culture, plant maintenance and vegetation management, employee appreciation and support, and acknowledgement to members that participate on Cooperative committees.

The Board reviewed Requests for Proposals from auditing firms and received a report on the Cooperative's Employee Engagement and Development program. They approved board minutes, financial reports, and statements for June 2024, and approved the drafts of IRS Form 990 and 990T as prepared by the Cooperative auditors. The board also approved the appointments of delegates and alternates for the upcoming NRECA Region VI meetings, authorized the execution and submission of the ballot for the 2024 CoBank director election, approved the monthly Cooperative policy review, and accepted the management department reports, the Minnkota Power report, and the MREA and Legislative report.

The board was introduced to Mariah Lunak in her new role as Executive Specialist, and reviewed the Cooperative line extension and subdivision policy. The board approved the second quarter Financial Review Committee report, holding discussions on potential solutions for providing backup generator options to members, the alignment of Cooperative holidays, and the monthly Cooperative policy review. The board also accepted the management department reports, the NRECA Region 5 & 6 report, the Minnkota Power report, the Square Butte report, and the MREA and Legislative report.