All Incumbents Re-Elected

(FARMINGTON, MN) April 28, 2025 – Dakota Electric Association® members met for their annual meeting on April 24 at Dakota Electric Association headquarters in Farmington. The members and guests in attendance heard updates from the cooperative’s leadership team and Board of Directors. Key topics discussed included rates, future facility needs, potential load growth, and power supply. Dakota Electric Board Chair Paul Bakken, Dakota Electric Board Treasurer David Jones and Dakota Electric CEO Ryan Hentges all gave reports on the state of the cooperative.

Other topics discussed included the cooperative’s member appreciation night at the Minnesota Zoo, which will be held on July 17 and is free to members and their families. In addition, the election results of the board of directors were announced at the meeting. Those results are shown below, with winners named in bold font.

District 1 (three-year term)

Jeff Nelson (1,981 votes of total votes for 33.8%)

District 2 (three-year term)

Terry Donnelly (incumbent) (3,080 votes of total votes for 52.6%)
Ben Baglio (424 votes of total votes for 7.2%)
Michael Hanninen (307 votes of total votes for 5.2%)
Todd Neuman (555 votes of total votes for 9.5%)
Amelia Vohs (1,490 votes of total votes for 25.4%)

District 3 (three-year term)

Cyndee Fields (incumbent) (4,091 votes of total votes for 70.3%)

District 4 (three-year term)

In addition to the above election results, members voted to pass the proposed amendments to the governing Articles of Incorporation and Bylaw Amendments. That language can be found on the Dakota Electric website.

The amendments passed by a vote of 4,699 “Yes” votes or 85.8% to 776 “No” votes or 14.2%.

There were 106,396 eligible voters. The ballots received totaled 4,580 paper ballots, 1,385 electronic ballots, and five onsite ballots, with a total ballot return of 5,970, or 5.61% of eligible voters. Survey & Ballot Systems, an independent third party, distributed and certified the ballots.

Annual Meeting reports are available online for members who were unable to attend. They can be found at https://www.dakotaelectric.com/about-us/annual-meeting-election.

About Dakota Electric Association:
Dakota Electric Association is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative serving over 117,000 members in and around Dakota County. Established in 1937, Dakota Electric is committed to providing its members with reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity while actively engaging with the community and promoting energy efficiency. For more information, visit www.dakotaelectric.com or follow Dakota Electric on X, Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn.

Dakota Electric invites members to attend the 87th Annual Meeting on April 24

(FARMINGTON, MN) April 4, 2025 – Dakota Electric Association® will hold its 87th Annual Meeting on Thursday, April 24, at the Dakota Electric headquarters at 4300 220th St. W, Farmington. The meeting will start at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided.

Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and share their thoughts with Dakota Electric staff and Board members. The purpose of the meeting is to conduct the Board of Director elections, consider bylaw changes and hear reports from our CEO and Board Members on the state of your cooperative.

“Our Annual Meeting is an exciting day for everyone in the Dakota Electric family,” said Ryan Hentges, President and CEO of Dakota Electric. “I know all the staff and Board members in attendance look forward to talking with and meeting our members.”

Balloting and election materials for the Board of Directors election and proposed bylaw changes will be mailed to members in early April and include instructions for voting by mail, online, or in person. To be counted, ballots must be received by Survey & Ballot Systems, an independent election service, no later than noon on April 24, 2025, or they may be submitted in person on the night of the annual meeting. Please refrain from dropping off or mailing ballots to Dakota Electric Association’s office.

The following candidates are running for seats on the Board of Directors:

District 1 (three-year term)
David Jones (incumbent)
Jeff Nelson

District 2 (three-year term)
Terry Donnelly (incumbent)
Ben Baglio
Michael Hanninen
Todd Neuman
Amelia Vohs

District 3 (three-year term)
Cyndee Fields (incumbent)
Nadim Zoberi

District 4 (three-year term)
Stacy Miller (incumbent)
Ian Benson

Biographies for all candidates listed above are available on Dakota Electric’s website.

An annual meeting report will be available on Dakota Electric’s website after the meeting for members who cannot attend.

This meeting will take place in the cooperative’s warehouse. This active work area has uneven work surfaces in places. If you have mobility concerns or require accommodations, please contact Dakota Electric at 651-463-6212.

Members with election-related questions should email boardelection@dakotaelectric.com.

About Dakota Electric Association:
Dakota Electric Association is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative serving over 117,000 members in and around Dakota County. Established in 1937, Dakota Electric is committed to providing its members with reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity while actively engaging with the community and promoting energy efficiency. For more information, visit www.dakotaelectric.com or follow Dakota Electric on X, Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn.

Members are encouraged to bring cash or food donations benefiting local non-profits

(FARMINGTON, MN) September 5, 2024 – Dakota Electric invites members to experience Energy Fest from 3:00 – 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 24 at 610 Opperman Drive, Eagan, MN 55123. This free, action-packed event offers members the chance to get behind the wheel of the latest electric vehicles (EVs) and feel the thrill of driving the future. Local dealerships will be on-site with a wide range of EVs, ready for you to test drive — just bring your valid driver’s license and proof of current insurance. 

Members planning to attend are encouraged to register beforehand by visiting https://bit.ly/3AZCjD2. Those who wish to bring non-perishable food donations will be entered into a drawing to win a grand prize. Food donations will be gifted to The Open Door. Cash donations will also be accepted and gifted to 360 Communities.  

“This event will be a dynamic mix of our Ride n’ Drive and Energy Trends Expo,” said Jon Beyer, Vice President of Energy and Member Services. “I’m excited for our members to experience these cutting-edge EVs and hear their thoughts.” 

Members in attendance will also be able to learn from and connect with Dakota Electric’s Energy Experts, explore the newest energy trends and discover how EV innovation is powering a sustainable future.  

About Dakota Electric Association:
Dakota Electric Association is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative serving over 115,000 members in and around Dakota County. Established in 1937, Dakota Electric is committed to providing reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity to its members while actively engaging with the community and promoting energy efficiency. For more information, visit www.dakotaelectric.com or follow Dakota Electric on X, Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn.

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