Nearly 90 years ago, electric cooperatives like North Central Electric were formed for a simple reason: For-profit utilities would not serve rural communities. The distances were too long, the costs too high, and the profits too uncertain. So, neighbors came together, pooled their resources, and built something they could own themselves. They believed access to electricity was not about profit, but opportunity.
That origin story still matters today.
I am always struck by the practicality of the cooperative model. Co-ops weren’t built on theory or ambition. They were built by people who needed electricity for their homes, farms, and businesses and decided to solve the problem together. That same practical mindset still guides our work today, and it is something I take seriously in my role as CEO.
NCE operates as a not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative. That does not mean we do not generate margins. It means those margins are not the goal. They are a tool. Any excess revenue is reinvested into the electric system or eventually returned to members through capital credits.
There are no outside shareholders. The people who use the system are the people who own it. That structure shapes how your cooperative is governed and managed.
Your board of directors, elected from among the membership, is responsible for setting the strategic priorities of the cooperative. They provide direction on what matters most, ensuring decisions remain aligned with our cooperative values and the long-term interests of our members.
My role, along with the leadership team and employees at NCE, is to manage the cooperative within that framework and carry out those priorities day to day.
At the foundation of those priorities are safety, reliability, and cost-based rates. Keeping our crews safe, keeping the lights on, and managing costs responsibly are not separate goals. They are inseparable. They represent the baseline commitment we owe every member.
Just as important is how we communicate and connect with the people we serve. Member education and transparency help ensure you understand not only what we do, but why we do it. As the electric industry grows more complex, clear communication becomes part of reliable service.
We also focus on building a strong organization behind the scenes. A cooperative that lasts requires skilled employees, thoughtful leadership, and clear policies that support consistency and accountability. Investing in people and processes today helps ensure NCE remains strong for the next generation of members.
Technology plays a role as well. Long-term planning for infrastructure, data, and system security allows us to operate more efficiently and respond to changing member needs, while keeping reliability and affordability at the center of those decisions.
All of this is guided by the same principle that shaped cooperatives from the beginning: stewardship. Being member-owned and not-for-profit carries a responsibility to use resources wisely, plan for the future, and make decisions that reflect the best interests of the communities we serve.
Thank you for the trust you place in your cooperative. As a member-owner of NCE, your investment and engagement make this system possible. We do not take that responsibility lightly, and we remain committed to serving you with the care and accountability you deserve.
