Local governance is the co-op way

by General Manager Steve Stroshane

Fall is a favorite time of year in Wisconsin. It's a time when many of us look forward to cooler weather, football and pumpkin spice treats. For the co-op, October is also when we recognize National Co-op Month and the seven cooperative principles that guide us. This month, I'd like to focus on Cooperative Principle #2: democratic member control, and share what it means to all of us at Polk-Burnett and to you, as a co-op member.

Co-op directors are members

As a cooperative, Polk-Burnett is owned by the members we serve and governed by a board of directors elected from the membership.

Polk-Burnett has nine directors who do significant work on behalf of the membership. They play an essential role in determining the direction and priorities of the co-op, keeping your lights on today and planning for our community's energy needs of tomorrow.

Directors attend monthly board meetings. They are responsible for setting electric rates and policies, and approving the annual budget and improvement plans across our electric distribution system.

Directors represent our interests with state and national industry groups, as well as with our wholesale power provider, Dairyland Power Cooperative. They also participate in regulatory and legislative efforts at state and federal levels to champion affordable and reliable electricity for rural co-op members.

Directors serve in a highly complex and rapidly changing energy industry. They are experienced and knowledgeable in the business of the co-op. We're proud to say that all have received advanced education to become Credentialed Cooperative Directors, with the exception of our newest director, who is working toward certification now.

Co-op directors are local residents

Board directors are permanent residents of the co-op district where they are elected to serve. Like directors on a school or town board, co-op directors must live in the community where they are elected. Local directors represent the interests of all members, they understand and respond to local and industry issues according to our co-op mission, principles and values.

Meet your co-op board directors

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank our board directors for their service to the co-op and our community. Our directors navigate changes in the energy industry, technology and member expectations to meet the long-term needs of all Polk-Burnett members. We are grateful for their leadership and support!

District 1, Cindy Thorman, Osceola
District 2, Mike Morris, Luck
District 3, Ed Gullickson, Amery
District 4, Joe Metro, Balsam Lake
District 5, John Ukura, Luck
District 6, Wilfred Owens, Frederic
District 7, Jerry Okonek, Spooner
District 8, Chuck Brookshaw, Webster
District 9, Tom Swenson, Webster

We’ll share a brief biography of your co-op board directors in the Powerlines over the next few months.

October Board Spotlight: Get to know Co-op Board Director John Ukura

John Ukura is our newest co-op director. He was elected in 2022 in District 5. John and his wife live on Bone Lake outside Luck and are active in the community. John serves as treasurer for the Luck Lions Club and is a volunteer for the Bone Lake Management District. Recently, he became a mentor for Kinship of Polk County, where he said it's been rewarding to participate in outdoor recreational activities with his mentee.

John said his first year on Polk-Burnett's board has been a great learning experience. "As a retired electrical engineer, I understand the technical details, but I've had to learn industry terminology and accounting principles. I now better understand the unique challenges faced by rural electric co-ops. The co-op is much more than just another investor-owned business you pay monthly. I've been impressed with the support it provides the community and its member focus. The co-op encourages and listens to member feedback and takes action."

John enjoys discussing the pros and cons of electric vehicles with members and how utilities can responsibly transition to a lower carbon future. "As board directors, it's our responsibility to safely and reliably deliver power to our members at the lowest possible cost."

If you are an EV enthusiast, look for John on our new Facebook group, NW Wisconsin EV Club.