As I approach my first full year living in the beautiful Brainerd Lakes Area, which I now proudly call home, while serving as CEO of Crow Wing Power, I can’t help but pause and say ‘wow’. When I arrived in late February, it felt like we hit the ground running. The wheels have stayed in motion, the wind shield has stayed big, and moving forward. That alignment between board and staff is critical to the long-term success of your cooperative. Internally, we’ve taken steps to Crow Wing Power streamline office processes and made adjustments to office hours to better the view ahead has been filled with opportunity.
What has stood out most to me is this: the people and the place. Crow Wing Power is rich in talent, experience, and commitment, and we are fortunate to serve one of the most remarkable territories in Minnesota. From my first Coffee with the Co-op conversations to connecting with members at our Annual Meeting, I’ve been reminded again and again that this Cooperative is built on relationships. Those conversations matter. They ground our work and remind us of who we serve.
Over the past year, we’ve made meaningful progress, some visible to our members and others happening behind the scenes. While not every accomplishment makes a headline, each step forward matters. Every improvement is another mile on our journey toward exceptional reliability, a safety-first mindset, and a level of responsiveness that gives our members confidence and peace of mind.
At the Annual Meeting, I appreciated the opportunity to connect face to-face with so many of you and to share a snapshot of where we are and where we’re headed. One of the most important efforts this year has been the development of a new strategic plan. Our Board of Directors worked alongside staff to create a clear, thoughtful plan that serves as a guiding beacon for our decisions moving forward. That alignment between board and staff is critical to the long-term success of your cooperative.
Internally, we've taken steps to streamline office processes and made adjustments to office hours to better serve members while supporting our employees. We also continued to strengthen our safety culture. I’m especially proud of the work led by our Safety Coordinator in partnership with Glen Stevens, The Mental Fitness Guy. Together, they launched a pilot program integrating mental fitness into our lineworkers’ everyday safety routines. This is an important recognition that safety isn’t just physical; it’s mental too.
This year also gave me the opportunity to participate in my first Member Managers Meeting with Basin Electric. Building and deepening those relationships helps me better understand how our generation and transmission partners support Crow Wing Power and how we work together to serve you, our members.
We’ve also spent significant time working through a comprehensive rate study. These conversations are never easy, but they are necessary. Our goal has been to develop the most equitable rate structure possible, one that supports our budget, addresses growing reliability needs, and continues to prioritize safety for both our employees and the public. These decisions reflect careful thought and long-term responsibility.
Beyond operations, we’ve strengthened our professional partnerships by welcoming new legal counsel and a new accounting and auditing firm. Both steps support good governance and sound financial stewardship.
When I look back on the past year, what stands out most is that none of this happened by accident. The progress we’ve made is the result of a dedicated, knowledgeable team and a Board of Directors willing to ask tough questions and make thoughtful decisions to position Crow Wing Power for the future. I’m grateful for their leadership and commitment. As I wrap up this reflection, I find myself excited about where we are today and where we’ll be in two years. There is momentum here, and there is purpose. Finally, I want to invite you to engage in one of the core Cooperative Principles: Member Democratic Control. Please plan to attend our Annual Meeting in April and participate in the upcoming election. This is your Cooperative, get engaged. Thank you for welcoming me into this community and for the privilege of serving you as CEO.