Cooperative Network Elects Two New Directors

MADISON, Wis. (November 18, 2011) Cooperative Network, the trade association for Minnesota and Wisconsin cooperative businesses, elected two new directors at its annual meeting Nov. 15 in Rochester, Minn.  The new directors include: Elaine Eckendorf, Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative, Custer, Wis., who represents electric cooperatives and replaces retiring director Lynn Peterson; and Mark Clark, Land O’Lakes, Inc., Rollingstone, Minn., who represents Minnesota dairy cooperatives and replaces director Steve Schlangen. Following the annual meeting, the board of directors met and elected board officers. Jim Hathaway, Dunn Energy Cooperative, joins the executive committee as the new treasurer.

“This has been an unusual and sometimes difficult political environment for Cooperative Network and for the broader cooperative community.  However, unlike so much of the rest of the country, the Minnesota and Wisconsin cooperative business community is uniquely focusing our attention more on opportunities rather than problems,” said Bill Oemichen, Cooperative Network president & CEO. “This board of directors reflects that considerable strength and determination.”

Executive Committee
	Sam Skemp, Sun Prairie, Wis., general manager of Frontier FS Cooperative, as Cooperative Network board chairman		Curt Eischens, Minneota, Minn., a grain producer and member of the CHS Inc. board of directors, as Cooperative Network board vice chair
	Bob Topel, Waterloo, Wis., dairy producer and a member of the Foremost Farms USA board of directors, as Cooperative Network board secretary		Jim Hathaway, Menomonie, Wis., Dunn Energy Cooperative, as Cooperative Network board treasurer
	Dave Hischke, Suring, Wis., Oconto Electric Cooperative board member, as a member of the Cooperative Network Executive Committee
At Large Directors
	Jerry Hasnedl, St. Hillaire, Minn., CHS Inc.		Tom Hayes, Lafayette, Minn., Brown County Rural Electric Association
	Cheri Gibeaut, Endeavor, Wis., Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative		Jim Kinzie, Drummond, Wis., Bayfield Electric Cooperative
Sector Directors
	Jim Drogue, Sun Prairie, Wis., Wisconsin Credit Union League		Terri Dallas, Shawano, Wis., Genex Cooperative, Inc.
	Elaine Eckendorf, Custer, Wis., Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association		Bob Gadwill, Altoona, Wis., Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association
	Brad Welp, Blue River, Wis., Richland-Grant Telephone Cooperative		Dan Stoltz, St. Paul, Minn., SPIRE Federal Credit Union
	Mark Clark, Rollingstone, Minn., Land O’Lakes, Inc.		Dave Hoelmer, Mankato, Minn., AgStar Financial Services
	Al Wearing, Madison, Wis., Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin		Greg Sacia, Holmen, Wis., Dairyland Power Cooperative
	Bill Zuhlke, Beaver Dam, Wis., Land O’ Lakes		Matt Brandrup, Madison, Wis., RESCO, Inc.
	Harlan Lanz, Mankato, Minn., BENCO Electric		Gregg Westigard, Frederic, Wis., Trade Lake Mutual Insurance Co.
	Kelly Christianson, Roseau, Minn., Northern Resources Cooperative		Michelle Steien, Black River Falls, Wis., Co-op Credit Union
	Bill Buending, of Gramercy Park Cooperative Northwest in Minneapolis, Minn., continues to represent housing cooperatives on the board.

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