Annual Meeting and Elections

Dakota Electric Association is democratically governed by elected members who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. We depend on the guidance and perspective of our board to help set priorities for the co-op and guide governance decisions.

Annual Meeting

As member-owners, all Dakota Electric members are invited to attend and ask questions at the cooperative’s annual meeting, typically held in the month of April. Annual Meetings provide members with information about the cooperative’s growth, financial health, board election and programs available to members.

Related Links

Annual Election Information

BOARD OF DIRECTOR ELECTION

A 12-person Board of Directors, consisting of and elected by members, governs the cooperative. Dakota Electric’s Board of Directors acts on behalf of the membership to guide operations and future planning for the cooperative.

The Board of Directors is comprised of three members from each of its four districts. Directors serve three-year terms and are elected by you, our member-owners. Each year, one seat in each of the four districts is up for election. Any eligible member may seek election in the district in which they reside. Dakota Electric encourages all members to vote.

Dakota Electric hires third-party contractor Survey & Ballot Systems to run its annual elections. Two weeks prior to the annual election, each member will receive their director election ballot in the mail from Survey & Ballot Systems. Each ballot includes instructions on how to vote by mail or online, as well as all director candidate biographies. Director candidate biographies can be viewed in advance by clicking on the districts listed below.
Ballot Box

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 be found below.

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 27-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).

INTERESTED DIRECTOR CANDIDATES
In adherence with Dakota Electric’s bylaws and policies, an annual election is held where any eligible member may seek election to the board of directors in the district which they reside. Members interested in seeking election for a director seat applied by filling out the Board Director Candidate Application. The deadline for submitting completed applications was Thursday, Jan. 15 at 5 p.m.
District 2026 Nominated Board Director Candidates
1 John DeYoe (incumbent)
1 Laurie Bolin
1 Jeff Nelson
2 Bill Middlecamp (incumbent)
2 Roberta Oveson
3 Margaret D. Schreiner (incumbent)
4 Paul Bakken (incumbent)
NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Every year, Dakota Electric seeks interested members to be part of our annual election process by serving on the Nominating Committee. The window for Nominating Committee applications closed on 5:00 p.m. on December 3, 2025. On Wednesday, January 28, 2026, the Nominating Committee conducted interviews and nominated candidates to be placed on the 2026 election ballot. The 2026 Nominating Committee members are: 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).

For election-related questions, please contact Nicole McEathron at  [email protected].or 651-463-6337.

 

Districts

Districts are ordered from left to right (1-4) and contain approximately the same amount of members.

Boundaries

Western Boundary

District One’s western border aligns with the western edge of the service territory.

Eastern Boundary

The boundary between District One and District Two starts on the north edge of Dakota Electric’s service area at Hwy. 13 (Old Sibley Memorial Hwy.) and 12th Ave.; then south on 12th Ave. 0.2 of a mile to Parkwood Dr.; then south on Parkwood Dr. 0.6 of a mile to Burnsville Pkwy.; then east on Burnsville Pkwy. 0.7 of a mile to county state aid highway (CSAH) 11; then south on CSAH 11 1.1 miles to Hwy. 35E; then southwest on Hwy. 35E 0.6 of a mile to CSAH 11 and CSAH 38 (McAndrews Rd.); then south on CSAH 11 1.1 miles to CSAH 42 and LacLavon Dr.; then south on LacLavon Dr. 1.5 miles to CSAH 46 (162nd St. W.); then west on CSAH 46 0.4 of a mile to Ipava Ave.; then south on Ipava Ave. 0.3 of a mile to 165th St. W.; then east on 165th St. 1.3 miles to Highview Ave.; then south on Highview Ave. 1.4 miles to CSAH 9 (Dodd Blvd.); then south on Dodd Blvd. 10 miles to CSAH 46 (Pillsbury Ave.); then south on CSAH 46 (Pillsbury Ave.) 1.5 miles to CSAH 86 and Hazelwood Ave.; then south on Hazelwood Ave. (CSAH 46) 4.6 miles to the south edge of the service area.

Western Boundary

The boundary between District One and District Two starts on the north edge of Dakota Electric’s service area at Hwy. 13 (Old Sibley Memorial Hwy.) and 12th Ave.; then south on 12th Ave. 0.2 of a mile to Parkwood Dr.; then south on Parkwood Dr. 0.6 of a mile to Burnsville Pkwy.; then east on Burnsville Pkwy. 0.7 of a mile to county state aid highway (CSAH) 11; then south on CSAH 11 1.1 miles to Hwy. 35E; then southwest on Hwy. 35E 0.6 of a mile to CSAH 11 and CSAH 38 (McAndrews Rd.); then south on CSAH 11 1.1 miles to CSAH 42 and LacLavon Dr.; then south on LacLavon Dr. 1.5 miles to CSAH 46 (162nd St. W.); then west on CSAH 46 0.4 of a mile to Ipava Ave.; then south on Ipava Ave. 0.3 of a mile to 165th St. W.; then east on 165th St. 1.3 miles to Highview Ave.; then south on Highview Ave. 1.4 miles to CSAH 9 (Dodd Blvd.); then south on Dodd Blvd. 10 miles to CSAH 46 (Pillsbury Ave.); then south on CSAH 46 (Pillsbury Ave.) 1.5 miles to CSAH 86 and Hazelwood Ave.; then south on Hazelwood Ave. (CSAH 46) 4.6 miles to the south edge of the service area.

Eastern Boundary

The boundary between District 2 and 3 starts on the north edge of Dakota Electric’s service area at Hwy. 13 and Rahn Rd.; then follows Rahn Rd. south 1.5 miles to Shale Ln.; then west on Shale Ln. 0.5 of a mile to Nichols Rd.; then south on Nichols Rd. 1.3 miles to Hwy. 35E and Hwy. 77 exchange; then south on Hwy. 77 1.4 miles to CSAH 38 (McAndrews Rd.); then east on CSAH 38 (McAndrews Rd.) 0.5 of a mile to Galaxie Ave.; then south on Galaxie Ave. 2.5 miles to 157th St. W.; then east on 157th St. W. 0.6 of a mile to Flagstaff Ave.; then south on Flagstaff Ave. 1.3 miles to 170th St. W.; then east on 170th St. 1 mile to CSAH 31 (Pilot Knob Rd.); then south on CSAH 31 (Pilot Knob Rd.) 2.5 miles to Co. Rd. 64 (195th St. W.); then west on Co. Rd. 64 (195th St. W.) 1 mile to Flagstaff Ave.; then south on Flagstaff Ave. 3 miles to 225th St. W.; then west on 225th St. W. 1 mile to CSAH 23 (Cedar Ave.); then south on CSAH 23 (Cedar Ave.) 2.5 miles to Galaxie Ave.; then south on Galaxie Ave. 3.3 miles to CSAH 86 (280th St. W.); then east on CSAH 86 0.3 of a mile to Foliage Ave.; then south on Foliage Ave. 3 miles to the south edge of the service area.

Western Boundary

The boundary between District 2 and 3 starts on the north edge of Dakota Electric’s service area at Hwy. 13 and Rahn Rd.; then follows Rahn Rd. south 1.5 miles to Shale Ln.; then west on Shale Ln. 0.5 of a mile to Nichols Rd.; then south on Nichols Rd. 1.3 miles to Hwy. 35E and Hwy. 77 exchange; then south on Hwy. 77 1.4 miles to CSAH 38 (McAndrews Rd.); then east on CSAH 38 (McAndrews Rd.) 0.5 of a mile to Galaxie Ave.; then south on Galaxie Ave. 2.5 miles to 157th St. W.; then east on 157th St. W. 0.6 of a mile to Flagstaff Ave.; then south on Flagstaff Ave. 1.3 miles to 170th St. W.; then east on 170th St. 1 mile to CSAH 31 (Pilot Knob Rd.); then south on CSAH 31 (Pilot Knob Rd.) 2.5 miles to Co. Rd. 64 (195th St. W.); then west on Co. Rd. 64 (195th St. W.) 1 mile to Flagstaff Ave.; then south on Flagstaff Ave. 3 miles to 225th St. W.; then west on 225th St. W. 1 mile to CSAH 23 (Cedar Ave.); then south on CSAH 23 (Cedar Ave.) 2.5 miles to Galaxie Ave.; then south on Galaxie Ave. 3.3 miles to CSAH 86 (280th St. W.); then east on CSAH 86 0.3 of a mile to Foliage Ave.; then south on Foliage Ave. 3 miles to the south edge of the service area.

Eastern Boundary

The boundary between District 3 and 4 starts on the north edge of Dakota Electric’s service area at CSAH 31 (Pilot Knob Rd.) and CSAH 26 (Lone Oak Rd.); then west on Lone Oak Rd. 0.3 of a mile then south 0.3 mile; then east 0.3 mile to Pilot Knob Rd.; then south on Pilot Knob Rd. (CSAH 31) 0.9 of a mile to Hwy. 35E; then south on Hwy. 35E 2.3 miles to CSAH 30 (Diffley Rd.); then east on Diffley Rd. 0.3 of a mile to Johnny Cake Ridge Rd.; then south on Johnny Cake Ridge Rd. 1.3 miles to CSAH 32 (Cliff Rd.); then east on Cliff Rd. 1 mile to CSAH 31 (Pilot Knob Rd.); then south on CSAH 31 (Pilot Knob Rd.) 2 miles to CSAH 33 (Diamond Path W.); then south on CSAH 33 (Diamond Path W.) 3.3 miles to CSAH (160th St. W.); continue south on alignment with Diamond Path 1 mile to Co. Rd. 58 (170th St. W.); then east on 170th St. W. 2 miles to Biscayne Ave.; then south on Biscayne Ave. 3.2 miles to CSAH 66 (Vermillion River Trl.); then east on CSAH 66 3.2 miles to Co. Rd. 79 (Blaine Ave.); then south on Co. Rd. 79 (Blaine Ave.) 8 miles to CSAH 86 (280th St. W.); then west on CSAH 86 (280th St. W.) 4 miles to Hwy. 3; then south on Hwy. 3 3.5 miles to south edge of Dakota Electric’s service area.

Western Boundary

The boundary between District 3 and 4 starts on the north edge of Dakota Electric’s service area at CSAH 31 (Pilot Knob Rd.) and CSAH 26 (Lone Oak Rd.); then west on Lone Oak Rd. 0.3 of a mile then south 0.3 mile; then east 0.3 mile to Pilot Knob Rd.; then south on Pilot Knob Rd. (CSAH 31) 0.9 of a mile to Hwy. 35E; then south on Hwy. 35E 2.3 miles to CSAH 30 (Diffley Rd.); then east on Diffley Rd. 0.3 of a mile to Johnny Cake Ridge Rd.; then south on Johnny Cake Ridge Rd. 1.3 miles to CSAH 32 (Cliff Rd.); then east on Cliff Rd. 1 mile to CSAH 31 (Pilot Knob Rd.); then south on CSAH 31 (Pilot Knob Rd.) 2 miles to CSAH 33 (Diamond Path W.); then south on CSAH 33 (Diamond Path W.) 3.3 miles to CSAH (160th St. W.); continue south on alignment with Diamond Path 1 mile to Co. Rd. 58 (170th St. W.); then east on 170th St. W. 2 miles to Biscayne Ave.; then south on Biscayne Ave. 3.2 miles to CSAH 66 (Vermillion River Trl.); then east on CSAH 66 3.2 miles to Co. Rd. 79 (Blaine Ave.); then south on Co. Rd. 79 (Blaine Ave.) 8 miles to CSAH 86 (280th St. W.); then west on CSAH 86 (280th St. W.) 4 miles to Hwy. 3; then south on Hwy. 3 3.5 miles to south edge of Dakota Electric’s service area.

Eastern Boundary

District Four’s eastern border aligns with the eastern edge of the service territory.

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Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws

Dakota Electric’s articles of incorporation and bylaws provide the framework for governing and conducting business at Dakota Electric with information on membership, board of director elections, capital credits and more.
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