Annual 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 2026 annual election ballots will be mailed on March 30 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 at www.dakotaelectric.com/about-us/annual-meeting-election.

Vote by mail

Ballots must be received at Survey & Ballot Systems’ office by 12 p.m. on April 23. Please do NOT drop off ballots at Dakota Electric’s office. Members may instead bring their original paper ballot to Dakota Electric’s Annual Meeting on April 23 for in-person submission.

 

Vote online

Go to [link becomes available March 30 at 12:00 a.m.]; you will need your account number and election passcode, both of which will be included with the ballot mailed on March 30. The link to vote online will become available on March 30 at 12 p.m.

Please note. The account number provided reflects your new account number following the launch of the MyDEA portal.

Board Candidate Biographies

In accordance with Article III, Section 3, of the Bylaws of this Association, the Nominating Committee held interviews with all Board candidates on January 28, 2026, and selected the following nominees for inclusion on the 2026 ballot for directorship of Dakota Electric. Candidates are responsible for the written content in their biographies.

District 1

Three-Year Term

John (Jack) DeYoe, Lakeville, seeks re-election in District 1. Jack is a 49-year Dakota Electric member and served as chair for former subsidiary Midwest Energy Services, a former board director for Minnesota Rural Electric Association and voting delegate to the Minnesota and National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and achieved the highest NRECA Board Leadership Certification (Director Gold). He retired from Ziegler Power Systems as a business manager providing power generation solutions to businesses and utilities including “peak shaving/islanding” interruptible power systems. Past affiliations include Caterpillar Dealer Advisory Committee as chairman, American Facilities Engineers, Minnesota Health and Housing Association, Minnesota’s Chief Engineers Guild, and the Minnesota Telecom Association. Jack served in the U.S. Air Force from 1969 until his honorable discharge in 1973.

Laurie (Rieb) Bolin has been a Dakota Electric customer for 34 years. She has bachelor’s degrees in biology and science teaching. Laurie moved to Lakeville in 1987 and has been active in the community both as a volunteer and public servant, serving six years on the Lakeville Planning Commission and twelve years on the Lakeville City Council. She brings demonstrated expertise in strategic planning, policy development, budget preparation and oversight, and long-term vision setting. She began volunteering with 360 Communities 32 years ago and became Director of Development in 2007. Laurie is active in the Lakeville Rotary Club and Chambers of Commerce across Dakota County. She received the Dakota County Exceptional Businesswoman Award in 2015 and the Lakeville Chamber Business Woman of the Year in 2021.

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

Man with glasses smiling

Bill Middlecamp, Apple Valley, seeks re-election in District 2. Bill is a 33-year Dakota Electric member in Apple Valley. He has completed 16 courses on directorship and electrification, earned the Credentialed Cooperative Director, is serving in GRE Director and GRE Finance Committee vice chair roles, has served as DEA vice chair, Treasurer, CEO compensation committee chair, and other roles. Bill holds MS Computer Science, and BS Meteorology degrees. He performed engineering and leadership roles at Quantum Corp., Cray Research, Inc, AT&T Bell Labs, etc, holds three patents, and owned a consulting company. He supports Minnesota Farmers Union, CURE, and Fresh Energy. For more than a decade, Bill has led public conversations about trends and technologies for the future. More information is available at https://billmiddlecamp.weebly.com.

Roberta Oveson, of Lakeville is a 30‑year Dakota Electric member seeking election in District 2. She brings extensive experience in technology, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence, having worked as a solution engineer and sales executive helping organizations adopt innovative technologies and strengthen security against cyber attacks. She holds a degree in Business Administration, providing strong business and technical insight. Roberta is deeply committed to the wellbeing of Dakota County residents. She serves on the TruStone Financial Board of Directors, is the District Treasurer for Lions International, works as a Dakota County Election Judge, and volunteers with other civic initiatives. She is dedicated to using her technology and leadership experience to support reliable, forward‑looking energy services grounded in service, transparency, and community partnership.

District 3

Three-Year Term

Margaret D. Schreiner, Eagan, district 3 incumbent, retired policy/legislative analyst and 46-year DEA member, having served in leadership roles including board chair for 10-years and officer on subsidiary boards. Elected as Great River Energy director, leadership roles included board vice chair, and chair of Corporate Services, Transmission and Power Supply. A registered lobbyist she leads state and federal legislative efforts that seek improvements in transmission, power supply options and regulations. Appointed to the National Director Advisory Committee and twice appointed to interim legislative committees for policy development. She led three statewide best-practices taskforces on Governance, Elections and Territory Protection, was featured in RE Magazine as champion of online balloting and named 2015 Exceptional Businesswoman. Contributor to Minnesota Farmers Union, Fresh Energy, and CURE.

District 4

Three-Year Term

Paul Bakken, Eagan, has been a member of Dakota Electric for more than 32 years and is seeking re-election in district 4. He is the Executive Director of the Minnesota Board of Podiatric Medicine, and serves on the Eagan City Council. Bakken served in the Minnesota Army National Guard until 2005. He has degrees from the University of Minnesota Law School, Humphrey School of Public Affairs, and St. Olaf College. Bakken currently serves as Chair of the Board. He has contributed to improved management performance review processes, divestiture of subsidiary businesses, transitioning to a paperless work environment, improved energy reliability and affordability, and increased use of renewable energy resources. Bakken is a contributing member of the Minnesota Farmers Union, CURE, Fresh Energy, and Conservation Minnesota.

The 2026 Nominating Committee is made up of the following people: Robert Erickson (District 1); Hunter Vraa and Raymond Yarwood (District 2); Arlene Sheldon and Donald Vasatka (District 3); Ian Benson and William Raker (District 4).