Top Banner
Record sales reviewed, new director elected at 67 th annual meeting E nhancing Quality of Life” was the theme for the 67th Corn Belt Power Cooperative annual meeting April 2 at the Best Western Starlite Village, Fort Dodge. The theme centered on Corn Belt Power’s commitment to the communities it serves with reliable, affordable electricity. Electric sales to member co-ops, Webster City and NIMECA in 2013 set an all-time record high, with almost 1,939 million kilowatt-hours sold. Sales were affected by mild weather conditions, a strong farm economy and increased crop-drying load. 2013’s peak demand of approximately 319 megawatts occurred on Aug. 28 after consecutive days of high temperatures. The cost of electric power from Corn Belt Power and its wholesale power supplier, Basin Electric Power Cooperative, increased approximately 6 percent in January 2013, due primarily to the cost of adding new generating facilities. Rates also continue to receive upward pressure from a host of new regulations set by the Environmental Protection Agency. Corn Belt Power expects stable rates in 2014. During the meeting, patronage checks were distributed to member cooperatives, totaling approximately $1 million from 1999 and 2000 deferred patronage. In his address during the business meeting, Donald Feldman, president of the Corn Belt Power Cooperative board of directors, spoke about the importance of teamwork among cooperatives. He said, “Working together results in a stronger co- op than flying alone. Certainly, the history of Corn Belt Power Cooperative and its member co-ops shows that to be true. Cooperation among cooperatives is not just one of our principles, but it’s one of our strengths that has allowed us to create and grow Corn Belt Power to serve people for close to 70 years.” Kenneth Kuyper, executive vice president and general manager, discussed the ongoing challenges to keep electric rates affordable in light of new EPA regulations. He said, “We announced that we would have stable rates for this year. That might not continue to be the case if the Environmental Protection Agency has its way. Last year, new carbon regulations from the EPA continued to challenge the use of coal as an abundant, affordable source of energy.” Elections were held for two representatives to the Corn Belt Power board of directors. Scott Stecher, Clarion, was re-elected to the board as the representative from Prairie Energy Cooperative. Jerry Beck, Spencer, was newly elected as the representative from Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative, filling the seat of long-time director L. Kirby Range, Milford, who retired from the board. Officers re-elected were Feldman, Butler County REC, president; Ronald Deiber, NIMECA, vice president; Stecher, secretary; David Onken, Raccoon Valley Electric Cooperative, treasurer; and Dale Schaefer, Franklin REC, assistant secretary/treasurer. A WattsWatt WattsWatt Corn Belt Power Cooperative May 2014 | Volume 63 | Number 5 www.cbpower.coop Board members Above | Corn Belt Power Cooperative held its annual meeting April 2 at the Best Western Starlite Village, Fort Dodge. Board members are, back row from left, Charles Gilbert, Midland Power Cooperative, Basin Electric representative; Jerry Beck, Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative; Larry Rohach, Grundy County REC; Dale Schaefer, Franklin REC, assistant secretary/treasurer; and Terry Finley, Calhoun County REC. Front row from left, David Onken, Raccoon Valley Electric Cooperative, treasurer; Donald Feldman, Butler County REC, president; Scott Stecher, Prairie Energy Cooperative, secretary; and Ronald Deiber, North Iowa Municipal Electric Cooperative Association, vice president.
4

Corn Belt Power Cooperative WattsWatt · 2014. 4. 28. · Dokken represented Buena Vista County REC, part of the same territory ... “This score Marvin Janssen, board president,

Feb 23, 2021

Download

Documents

dariahiddleston
Welcome message from author
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
Page 1: Corn Belt Power Cooperative WattsWatt · 2014. 4. 28. · Dokken represented Buena Vista County REC, part of the same territory ... “This score Marvin Janssen, board president,

Record sales reviewed, new director elected at 67th annual meeting

Enhancing Quality of Life” was the theme for the 67th Corn Belt Power Cooperative annual meeting April

2 at the Best Western Starlite Village, Fort Dodge. The theme centered on Corn Belt Power’s commitment to the communities it serves with reliable, affordable electricity. Electric sales to member co-ops, Webster City and NIMECA in 2013 set an all-time record high, with almost 1,939 million kilowatt-hours sold. Sales were affected by mild weather conditions, a strong farm economy and increased crop-drying load. 2013’s peak demand of approximately 319 megawatts occurred on Aug. 28 after consecutive days of high temperatures. The cost of electric power from Corn Belt Power and its wholesale power supplier, Basin Electric Power Cooperative, increased approximately 6 percent in January 2013, due primarily to the cost of adding new generating facilities. Rates also continue to receive upward pressure from a host of new regulations set by the Environmental Protection Agency. Corn Belt Power expects stable rates in 2014. During the meeting, patronage checks were distributed to member cooperatives, totaling approximately $1 million from 1999 and 2000 deferred patronage. In his address during the business meeting, Donald Feldman, president of the Corn Belt Power Cooperative board of directors, spoke about the importance of teamwork among cooperatives. He said, “Working together results in a stronger co-op than flying alone. Certainly, the history of Corn Belt Power Cooperative and its member co-ops shows that to be true. Cooperation among cooperatives is not just one of our principles, but it’s one of our

strengths that has allowed us to create and grow Corn Belt Power to serve people for close to 70 years.” Kenneth Kuyper, executive vice president and general manager, discussed the ongoing challenges to keep electric rates affordable in light of new EPA regulations. He said, “We announced that we would have stable rates for this year. That might not continue to be the case if the Environmental Protection Agency has its way. Last year, new carbon regulations from the EPA continued to challenge the use of coal as an abundant, affordable source of energy.” Elections were held for two

representatives to the Corn Belt Power board of directors. Scott Stecher, Clarion, was re-elected to the board as the representative from Prairie Energy Cooperative. Jerry Beck, Spencer, was newly elected as the representative from Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative, filling the seat of long-time director L. Kirby Range, Milford, who retired from the board. Officers re-elected were Feldman, Butler County REC, president; Ronald Deiber, NIMECA, vice president; Stecher, secretary; David Onken, Raccoon Valley Electric Cooperative, treasurer; and Dale Schaefer, Franklin REC, assistant secretary/treasurer.

A

WattsWattWattsWattCorn Belt Power Cooperative

M a y 2 0 1 4 | V o l u m e 6 3 | N u m b e r 5w w w . c b p o w e r . c o o p

Board membersAbove | Corn Belt Power Cooperative held its annual meeting April 2 at the Best Western Starlite Village, Fort Dodge. Board members are, back row from left, Charles Gilbert, Midland Power Cooperative, Basin Electric representative; Jerry Beck, Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative; Larry Rohach, Grundy County REC; Dale Schaefer, Franklin REC, assistant secretary/treasurer; and Terry Finley, Calhoun County REC. Front row from left, David Onken, Raccoon Valley Electric Cooperative, treasurer; Donald Feldman, Butler County REC, president; Scott Stecher, Prairie Energy Cooperative, secretary; and Ronald Deiber, North Iowa Municipal Electric Cooperative Association, vice president.

Page 2: Corn Belt Power Cooperative WattsWatt · 2014. 4. 28. · Dokken represented Buena Vista County REC, part of the same territory ... “This score Marvin Janssen, board president,

“Larry Bird came in as Pacers’ coach. He was my hero when I was a kid. He taught a work ethic that I now share with my team. My years at Chicago were also good for my development. I was the oldest player on the team at age 28. My job was to teach them about being a pro. That year was as important as I’ve ever had to prepare me for the career I’m in now.” Hoiberg’s years in the pros offered him numerous experiences with different kinds of cultures and teams. “I talk to our guys all the time about chemistry. It’s the same in business. Without chemistry, we won’t win. How do you teach chemistry? You find a way to come together when you’re on the court. The biggest message I convey to the guys is it benefits everybody if we win.” When Hoiberg was 32 and playing for the Timberwolves, doctors told him he had a life-threatening heart condition and he needed surgery to correct an enlarged aortic root. He also had a pacemaker implanted that will need to be replaced next year. “Adversity had hit me for the first time. How you handle adversity is what defines you in life.” Hoiberg ended his playing career and took a job with the Timberwolves’ front office, where he worked with head coach Kevin McHale. “He has one of the smartest basketball minds around. That was one of the experiences that really prepared me for my role today.” In April 2010, Hoiberg was offered the ISU head coaching spot, an opportunity to return to his hometown and lead a program for which he’d carried a life-long passion. “I had the chance to condense all of the experiences I’d had and put them into a blueprint, a vision. We took the program from where it was. The first year we had a 16-16 record with a thin roster. I knew we had a chance to get into the NCAA tournament the next year. Getting into the Sweet Sixteen this year was awesome. “I’m excited about where the program is and where we’ve come. I’m excited about the future. It’s a great time to be a Cyclone.”

discusses leadership, chemistry

Above | Iowa State University’s men’s basketball coach Fred Hoiberg answers questions after his keynote address at Corn Belt Power's annual meeting April 2.

Many attendees of Corn Belt Power Cooperative’s 67th annual meeting wished coach Fred Hoiberg had

not shown up to speak April 2 at the Starlite Village, Fort Dodge – only because his attendance meant the Iowa State Cyclones were not in the NCAA Final Four. Putting their disappointment behind them, the crowd welcomed the Cyclone men’s basketball coach, congratulating him on his team’s outstanding season and thanking him for his leadership. Hoiberg talked about his background, noting his family’s connections with Iowa, Nebraska and New York. Although he had scholarship offers from Stanford University, the University of Arizona and the University of Nebraska, Hoiberg chose Iowa State University and playing basketball for legendary coach Johnny Orr because of the hometown support Iowans showed. “Both Arizona and Iowa State had sheets with a thousand people’s names who wanted me to sign with their school. But I knew about 800 of the people on the Iowa State list,” Hoiberg explains. “I became passionate

about athletics at an early age. I fell in love with Johnny Orr and what he did for the community and university. He saw Hilton Coliseum grow into one of the most difficult places to play.” Tying into Corn Belt Power’s annual meeting theme of “Enhancing the Quality of Life,” Hoiberg noted the importance community has played in his life. “The best four years of my life were playing basketball at ISU. There were people there who stuck with you in the good times and bad. It was incredible.” Hoiberg pointed to numerous basketball experiences that helped develop his leadership skills. “My senior year at Iowa State, Coach Orr retires and Tim Floyd comes in and slows everything down and emphasizes defense. That was one of the best things that happened to me. It was important to my development to learn another style.” Throughout his pro career with the Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves, Hoiberg developed skills that would serve him well as ISU’s head coach.

Left | Iowa State University men’s basketball coach Fred Hoiberg signs autographs for Corn Belt Power annual meeting attendees April 2 at the Starlite Village, Fort Dodge.

C ach Fred HoibergC ach Fred Hoiberg

Page 3: Corn Belt Power Cooperative WattsWatt · 2014. 4. 28. · Dokken represented Buena Vista County REC, part of the same territory ... “This score Marvin Janssen, board president,

News

In conjunction with its annual meeting April 2, Corn Belt Power Cooperative expressed thanks to L. Kirby Range,

director from Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative, upon his retirement from the board of directors. President Don Feldman presented Range and his wife Barbara with an engraved clock. With 24 years of service to the board, Range is tied with former director H.G. Dokken for having the third longest tenure as a Corn Belt Power director. Dokken represented Buena Vista County REC, part of the same territory Range has represented. Range was first elected to the D.E.K. REC board of directors in 1976. D.E.K. REC later merged with other cooperatives to create Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative. Range started serving on the Corn Belt Power board in 1990. He says, “It’s been a pleasure sitting on these boards. There have been many changes since I first got on. We had no computers, no cell phones back then.” He comments that the main challenge Corn Belt Power will need to continue to focus on in the future is to keep rates down. “It’s important to keep rates down, because it’s better for everybody. It’s been a tough winter and there will be problems for distribution systems to collect bills. If we can keep rates down, we will keep people happy.”

In Brief

Beck new Corn Belt Power directorJerry Beck was elected April 2 to represent Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative on the Corn Belt Power board of directors. He was elected to the ILEC board in April 2001 and earned his NRECA Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate in 2006 and his NRECA Cooperative Leadership Certificate in 2012. Beck farms near Spencer and has one grown daughter, Libby. He has been a township trustee for many years and collects and restores antique tractors. ■

Members re-elect incumbent directors to serve Butler County RECButler County REC members re-elected three incumbent directors at the co-op’s annual meeting March 29 in Allison. Re-elected were Leland Boyd, Charles City; Gerald Schmitt, Rockford; and Tim Schrage, Allison. Nearly 500 people including 187 voting members attended. At the business meeting, Craig Codner, chief executive officer, recognized Mike Kampman and Larry Schultz, long-time employees who retired in 2013. Michael Tupper, winner of the 2013 Youth Tour to Washington, D.C., talked about his experience serving as Iowa’s representative on the National Rural Electric Cooperative’s Youth Leadership Council. Ken Kuyper, executive vice president and general manager, Corn Belt Power Cooperative, talked about recent economic development activities. Door prizes included $700 in electric bill credits. Following the annual meeting, the board of directors held an organizational meeting and elected the following officers: Duane Rieckenberg, Waverly, president; Gary Poppe, Ionia, vice president; Boyd, treasurer; Schrage, secretary; and Schmitt, assistant secretary/treasurer.

Franklin REC holds annual meetingAttendance totaled 300 including 107 registered co-op members at Franklin REC’s annual meeting April 1 at the Franklin County Convention Center, Hampton. Members re-elected Gordon Meyer, Latimer, to the board of directors. Fran Buckel, general manager, announced that Franklin REC received a customer satisfaction score of 95 on the American Customer Satisfaction Index survey. “This score places Franklin REC in the top nine percent of co-ops in the country,” said Buckel. Marvin Janssen, board president, introduced the 2014 Youth Tour winner, Cody O’Donnell, a sophomore at Hampton-Dumont High School. Janssen also recognized scholarship winners Dillin Hofmeister, Grant Lehmann and Ethan Meints. Guest speakers included Britta Becker, 2013 Youth Tour participant; and Karen Mitchell, executive director for the Franklin County Development Association. Cash door prizes were awarded and names were drawn for two couples to win trips on the Energy Trail Bus Tours to Basin Electric Power Cooperative in Bismarck, N.D. Following the annual meeting, the board of directors held an organizational meeting and elected the following officers: Janssen, Hampton, president; Gordon Greimann, Sheffield, vice-president; and David Keninger, Ackley, secretary/treasurer. Kevin Bornhoft, vice president, engineering and system operations, represented Corn Belt Power at the meeting.

Powvens starts as communications superintendentJon Powvens started work at Corn Belt Power March 31 as communications superintendent. Powvens relocated from Madison, Wis., where he worked for Power Systems Engineering.

Range retires from Corn Belt Power board

Range retiresAbove | L. Kirby Range and his wife Barbara receive a clock in appreciation of his 24 years of service on the Corn Belt Power board.

Jon Powvens

facebook.com/cornbeltpower @ CornBeltPower youtube.com/cornbeltpower

Jerr

y B

eck

Page 4: Corn Belt Power Cooperative WattsWatt · 2014. 4. 28. · Dokken represented Buena Vista County REC, part of the same territory ... “This score Marvin Janssen, board president,

The power of human connections

Karen Berte, left, senior vice president, finance and administration, Corn Belt Power Cooperative, demonstrates the Touchstone Energy value of commitment to community by participating in Future Day at Humboldt

High School. Professionals from the community talked about their careers to help students plan for their futures. She says, “I chose to volunteer at Future Day because I think it is important for possible future employees to know what jobs are available locally and what education or schooling they may need to be qualified for those jobs.”

Touchstone Energy Co-op Values | Integrity | Accountability | Innovation | Commitment to Community

WattsWattWattsWattCorn Belt Power Cooperative

Kar

en B

erte

PRSRT STDU.S. Postage

PAIDHumboldt, IowaPermit No. 32

Corn BeltPower CooperativeA1300 13th Street North • PO Box 508Humboldt, IA 50548

Ken Kuyper, executive vice president and general manager, addresses the Corn Belt Power annual meeting attendees, explaining that “spoopy” describes something that induces both fear and laughter at the same time.

Rand Fisher, right, president, Iowa Area Development Group, presents an Impact Award to Corn Belt Power for policy development relating to Rural Utilities Service financing. From left are Jim Vermeer, vice president, business development; Ken Kuyper, executive vice president and general manager; and Don Feldman, board president. youtube.com/cornbeltpower www.cbpower.coop

Published monthly for the employees and associates of Corn Belt Power Cooperative.

Watts Watt, the official publication of Corn Belt Power Cooperative, is published monthlyby Corn Belt Power Cooperative, 1300 13th St. North, Humboldt, Iowa 50548-0508.

Copyright 2014Kenneth H. Kuyper, Executive Vice President and General ManagerKathy D. Taylor, Editor; Vice President, Corporate Relations; CCCMarena Fritzler, Graphic Designer

facebook.com/cornbeltpower @ CornBeltPowerIADG Impact Award