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2025 Board Election Information

As a member of Dakota Electric, you have the opportunity to participate in our annual election and vote for the Directors who serve on the Board and govern your cooperative. Dakota Electric 2025 annual election ballots will be mailed on April 7 from Survey & Ballot Systems, an independent election service. Each ballot includes instructions on how to vote by mail or online, as well as all Director candidate biographies. Candidate biographies and additional election information can also be found on our 2025 Board Election page.

Vote by mail

Ballots must be received at Survey & Ballot Systems’ office no later than noon on April 24. Ballots should NOT be dropped off at Dakota Electric’s office.

(The member’s original paper ballot may also be submitted in person at Dakota Electric’s Annual Meeting.)

Vote online

Go to the 2025 Board Election page. You will need your account number and election passcode, both of which will be included with the ballot mailed on April 7. The link to vote online will become available on April 7 at 12:00 p.m.

2025 Board Candidates & Biographies

Candidates are responsible for the written content in their biographies. Dakota Electric only made minor formatting adjustments for consistency. Download a copy of the 2025 candidate biographies here.

District 1

Three-Year Term

David Jones, Lakeville, seeks re-election in District 1. He is a 30-year member of Dakota Electric and has served the board in officer positions as chair and treasurer; for subsidiaries Midwest Energy Services, Energy Alternatives and EA Solar; and as a delegate to the National Association of Regulatory and Utility Commissioners, National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation, and Dakota County 4-H. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from North Dakota State University and an MBA from Pepperdine University. His significant community service outreach includes 360 Communities, Hastings Family Services, and Burnsville Community Foundation. He is a Credentialed Cooperative Director and has more than 30 years of technical management experience including at Rosemount Aerospace in Burnsville and Lockheed Martin in Eagan. www.linkedin.com/in/directordavidjones.

Jeff Nelson

Jeff Nelson, Lakeville, is a 26-year member of Dakota Electric in District 1. He is a CPA with a master’s degree in taxation from DePaul University in Chicago, IL. Jeff retired as a Managing Director from the international accounting firm “PwC” after co-leading PwC’s USA Like Kind Exchange Technology Practice for 21 years. He has a keen interest in renewable energy, having designed and installed multiple “off the grid” solar and wind systems at his Minnesota cabin. Jeff is an active supporter of “Lakeville Friends of the Environment”, the Sierra Club, CURE, Fresh Energy, Minnesota Farmers Union, Citizens Climate Lobby and the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society (MRES). As a father & grandfather, Jeff is committed to leaving an energy secure future for our next generations.

District 2

Three-Year Term

Terry Donnelly, Farmington, is seeking re-election in District 2 and is a 40-year member of Dakota Electric. He is a retired software engineer working at Control Data, General Dynamics and Data Vortex. He currently works with his family on the family farm in northwest Farmington and eastern Lakeville. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Quantitative Methods from the University of St. Thomas and holds one patent. He has been a lifelong resident of Farmington, where he has served 7 years on the Farmington School Board (2002-2008) followed by 12 years on the Farmington City Council (2009-2020). He has also volunteered as an adult leader in the Dakota County 4H program and at All Saints Church in Lakeville.

Ben Baglio lives with his wife, stepchild, and their two twin one-year-old girls. As a graduate of Apple Valley High School, and first-time homeowners, Ben’s excited to have planted roots in the Apple Valley Community. Ben works in Government Relations at the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA), where he advocates and lobbies for union nurses and healthcare reform. Prior to this role Ben served as the Director of the Governor’s Workforce Development Board, working with leaders across various industries and sectors to improve policies, programming, and collaborative partnerships. Ben has also worked for the Association of Minnesota Counties and Indiana House of Representatives. He has a Master’s in Advocacy and Political Leadership from Metropolitan State University and a Bachelor’s from the University of Minnesota-Morris.

Michael Hanninen, Lakeville, seeking election in District 2, and has been a Dakota Electric member for 14 years. He has raised a family here in Dakota County. He is a lead business analyst with Thomson Reuters where he manages the business analytics side of large global projects. Hanninen, has degrees and certifications from Normandale Community College, University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, and Auburn University. He is also a sports coach with both ISD197 and the YMCA where he helps develop youth athletic skills, self-empowerment and team building skills and mentors other coaches. Hanninen’s volunteer work has included soccer coach, cross country, track and field coach, youth mentor and is a choir member at Mary Mother of the Church.

I’m Todd Neuman and I am seeking election to the board member position on the Dakota Electric Co-op. I have a strong interest in electricity distribution systems. I can bring a fresh perspective to this space. I have lived in the community for 15 years and am active in multiple organizations including Airlake Aero Airplane Club, The Civil Air Patrol, FIT academy and the local Cub Scout Pack 227. I have experience being a board member as the treasurer and a part of the finance committe of a non-profit. If elected, my top priorites would be improve communication to all members on planned projects, keep Dakota Electric finacially stable and work to maintain reliability of electricity supply.

Amelia Vohs is a long-time Southern Minnesota resident, growing up in Faribault and now residing in Burnsville. She is seeking election to represent District 2. Amelia has 10 years of experience as an environment and energy law attorney. Her expertise is in clean energy and electric utility issues. Amelia is interested in ensuring that Dakota Electric Association members are served by the cleanest, lowest-cost energy sources available while keeping service reliable and affordable. Amelia is especially interested in the emerging issue of data centers and how to ensure communities are listened to and treated fairly as this industry develops. Amelia received her bachelor’s degree from Coe College and her law degree from Valparaiso University.

District 3

Three-Year Term

Cyndee Fields, Eagan, seeks re-election in District 3. Cyndee is a 33-year member of Dakota Electric and a 24-year member of the Eagan City Council where she participates on the Public Works and Personnel Committees. She has a special interest in infrastructure and has been instrumental in shaping policies and projects that benefit the community. Cyndee is an active participant in the Flint Hills Community Advisory Council, where she works with other stakeholders to address local environmental and community issues. Cyndee’s extensive background in legislation and curriculum leadership further underscores her dedication to serving the community with vision and integrity. She belongs to CURE and MN Farmers Union. She and her husband Larry have four children and ten grandchildren.

Nadim Zoberi is the Director of Lean Transformation at Total Logistics. He previously served as Senior Manager at Toro, Principal at IBM Global Services, Senior Manager at KPMG Consulting, and Director of International Operations at Northwest Airlines. Beginning his career as an Industrial Engineer, he has led operational and strategic initiatives. Mr. Zoberi is actively involved in civic and academic communities, having served on the Planning Commission and chaired the Economic Development Commission for the City of Eagan, a board member for Operations & Supply Chain at both University of Minnesota and University of Wisconsin, as well as the Legislative Advisory Board for District 196. He holds degrees in Computer Science and Business Administration and a DEA member for 39 years.

District 4

Three-Year Term

Stacy Miller, Eagan, seeks re-election in District 4. As an energy professional with over 20 years combined experience as a small business owner and in public service, I’m committed to continuing to be your independent voice for our cooperative. I’m a nationally recognized clean energy champion who is dedicated to protecting Dakota Electric’s outstanding track record on reliability and competitive rates. In these changing times, I rely on the 7 cooperative principles and put Dakota Electric member-owners first, embracing the cooperative model over the corporate alternative. I view innovation as critical for addressing emerging challenges when it supports the cooperative’s core values, including care for community. I hold degrees in Physics and Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy. Learn more about my professional experience at https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacy-a-miller/.

Ian Benson seeks District 4 election. Ian has been a member of Dakota Electric since moving to Dakota County in 1992. He has over 30 years in the energy industry, retiring from Xcel Energy in 2023 as the vice president of transmission planning. At Xcel Energy he held leadership positions in nuclear power generation, energy trading, transmission planning, operations, and customer service. His formal education includes university degrees in engineering and mathematics from the University of Minnesota and an executive MBA from the University of St. Thomas. Ian is a retired naval officer having served at sea and at various shore commands. He is looking forward to bringing industry experience and a fresh perspective to Dakota Electric.