Members Elect our Board of Directors in Annual Elections
Since our founding in 1937, Connexus Energy has been governed by a board of directors elected by our members. These directors represent the members’ interests as they establish rates, develop policies to guide operations and strategic direction, provide financial oversight, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws.
In adherence to the bylaws, an annual election in which any eligible member may seek election to the board of directors in the district in which they reside is held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the membership. Typically held in April at Connexus Energy, all members receive a mailing with information on how to participate in the annual meeting as well as voting options for the director election. Learn more about the director election and annual meeting.
In addition to electing the board of directors, members also vote to adopt board recommended changes to the cooperative’s articles of incorporation and bylaws.
Save the date! 88th Annual Meeting
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Location: Community Rooms at Connexus in Ramsey
Registration opens: 3:30 p.m.
Business meeting: 4 p.m.
2025 nominating committee volunteers
This nominating committee plays an integral role in board of director elections by interviewing applicants to determine those qualified for placement on the annual election ballot. Connexus members serving on the nominating committee receive a stipend and mileage reimbursement. They must commit to attending nominating committee meetings on Jan. 13, Feb. 3 and (if needed) Feb. 4. Nominating committee volunteers cannot run for the board during the election year they are serving.
Request to join the nominating committee by 5 p.m. Nov. 8, 2024. Two volunteers per director district will be drawn at random and notified by Nov. 29.
2025 director candidate applications
Two director seats are up for election in 2025:
- District 2, Rick Braastad
- District 4, Joe Gruenes
The director candidate application link will be posted to this page on Dec. 9, 2024. Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Jan. 17, 2025. To learn more about the roles and responsibilities of a director, read our board of directors’ information packet.
Members interested in becoming a director candidate can meet individually with Executive Services staff on Jan. 7, 2025. Contact [email protected] to request a meeting.
For general inquiries about the annual meeting and election, contact Krista Benjamin, 763.323.2600.
2024 annual meeting
Highlights from 2024
Our annual meeting was held on April 18, 2024, at our headquarters in Ramsey. Most members participated in person while others watched the live stream on Connexus’ Facebook page.
View or download the 2023 Annual Review and 2023 Financial Statements. Videos of reports from the annual meeting are posted below.
Four students who attended the annual meeting with a Connexus member won a $1,000 scholarship in our new attendance drawing. The names drawn were: Zach Davis, Brandon Forsyth, Katherine James and Justin Kroeze.
Members who voted were automatically entered into a prize drawing, and the winners were announced at the annual meeting. The following members won a prize basket: Jeffrey Severson (Spring Planting Basket), Adam Klinkhammer (Get Grilling Basket) and Barry Patrick (Sweet Surprise Basket). Voting members were also entered into a weekly drawing for a $50 bill credit. The winners were: William Connell, Alan Buttler, Carolyn Scott and Matt Spencer.
Election results for 2024
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| Mark Ethen - Incumbent District 1 View Bio |
Sam Villella District 1 View Bio |
Fran Bator - Incumbent District 3 View Bio |
Angie Ronayne District 4 View Bio |
Survey & Ballot Systems is an independent tabulation firm that mailed, received and tabulated the 2024 ballots. At our annual meeting on April 18, the results of the board of directors’ election were as follows:
District 1
Abel Ebane: 4,167 votes / 44.2%
*Mark Ethen: 7,192 votes / 76.3%
Sam Villella: 4,320 votes / 45.8%
District 3
*Fran Bator: 8,513 votes / 100%
District 4
Angie Ronayne: 8,625 votes / 100%
*Incumbent
Total ballots cast were 9,546 or 7.2% of eligible membership.
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. Joe is serving the remaining one-year of Ken’s term immediately. He resides in Clear Lake and has been a Connexus member for 25 years. Joe has a strong background in business management, budgeting and statistical analysis.
The 2024 directors also elected their officers at the organizational meeting. Those results were:
- Chair – Fran Bator
- Vice Chair – Mark Ethen
- Secretary/Treasurer – Shelly Peterson
- Assistant Secretary/Treasurer – Mike Thews
Videos from the 2024 annual meeting
your most powerful membership®
These four words focus on the most important component of our cooperative: our members. In a cooperative, everything we do is for the benefit of our membership. This vision provides daily inspiration to build powerful partnerships with our members.
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