FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 18, 2024
Ramsey, Minn. — Connexus Energy hosted their annual meeting on April 18 at their headquarters in Ramsey. Most members participated in person while others watched the live stream on Connexus’ Facebook page.
This was new CEO Sidney Jackson’s first time speaking to members at an annual meeting. He shared that 2023 was “a year that we should celebrate; driven by the exceptional operational and fiscal performance of Connexus.”
In his financial update, CFO Yan Paul Martinez told members 2023 was a remarkable and financially strong year for Connexus. “Providing affordable and reliable service to our members is our highest priority,” Martinez said.
Board Chair Fran Bator’s message to members included the news that Connexus expects to continue to perform in the top 5% of all utilities nationwide for electric system service reliability, with 2023 being the best year ever. “We act in service to members with transparency and communication because it’s the right thing to do,” said Bator.
Connexus Vice President Alison Miles gave a special presentation on Concern for Community, one of the seven cooperative principles. “One of the primary ways we’re able to serve our community is through The Connexus Energy Foundation. In the past three years alone, Connexus has given over $1 million to charitable organizations within our community,” Miles shared.
Election results
Board elections were held in District 1, District 3, and District 4.
In District 1, incumbent Mark Ethen and Sam Villella were elected to the board. In District 3, incumbent Fran Bator was re-elected to the board. In District 4, Angie Ronayne was elected to the board. In addition, the two bylaw amendments were passed by the membership.
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As managed by Survey and Ballot Systems, an independent and nationally expert third-party cooperative election administrator, 9,546 members, or 7.2% of eligible membership, cast their votes.
District 4 director appointment and officer election at organizational meeting
Due to the retirement of Ken Fiereck, the Connexus Energy Board of Directors affirmed the director appointment of Joe Gruenes at an organizational meeting that followed the annual meeting. Gruenes begins serving the remaining one-year of Fiereck’s term immediately.
Gruenes resides in Clear Lake and has been a Connexus Energy member for 25 years. He has a strong background in business management, budgeting and statistical analysis.
The 2024 directors also elected their officers at the organizational meeting. Those results are:
- Chair – Fran Bator
- Vice Chair – Mark Ethen
- Secretary/Treasurer – Shelly Peterson
- Assistant Secretary/Treasurer – Mike Thews
About Connexus Energy
Founded in 1937 as one of the nation’s first 100 electric cooperatives, Connexus is the Midwest's largest consumer-owned electric cooperative and has been nationally recognized for its “perfect power” service reliability, grid innovation and solar land-use practices. Fast Company named Connexus to its list of 2024’s Most Innovative Companies. www.connexusenergy.com
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