KEM Board of Directors

The KEM Electric Board consists of 7 member elected directors. Directors are elected at the annual meeting to serve 3 year terms and meet once a month.

KEM Electric Cooperative's Directors serve as liaisons between fellow members and the co-op executive staff, providing guidance and oversight on co-op operations. Directors provide the vital service of voicing the membership's needs and upholding the cooperative value of democratic member control.

A current vacancy exists for the At-Large director position following the unfortunate passing of Dean Hummel. This position's will be filled during the 2024 Annual Meeting elections. 

To nominate oneself for the KEM Board of Director position, kindly complete the director nomination petition and provide a brief bio, ensuring submission to the office by March 13.  Petitioning for the nominations cannot begin prior to January 13, 2024.

Click here to download the director petition
Click here for the director biography form

Board of Directors

Victor "Chuck" Wald

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District 4

District 4 is situated within Logan County. It includes the towns of Lehr, Napoleon, and Kintyre. This district holds 579 miles of line, 335 members, and 2 substation yards. The substations in this district are Napoleon and Sukut. 

Victor "Chuck" Wald has served on KEM Electric's Board of Directors since 2010. He was most recently re-elected in 2023. He is the Chairman.

John Beck

john

District 1

District 1 is situated within Emmons County. It includes the towns of Hazelton, Braddock, and Temvik. This district holds 613 miles of line, 490 members, and 2 substation yards. The substations in this district are Hazelton and Sunburst. 

John Beck has served on KEM Electric's Board of Directors since 2012. He was most recently re-elected in 2021. He is the Vice Chairman.

Carter Vander Wal

Carter

District 2

District 2 is situated within Emmons County. It includes the towns of Linton, Strasburg, Hague, Westfield, and Hull. This district holds 576 miles of line, 514 members, and 2 substation yards. The substations in this district are Linton and Krassna. 

Carter Vander Wal has served on KEM Electric's Board of Directors since 2006. He was most recently re-elected in 2021. He is the current Secretary/Treasurer.

Neil Meidinger

Neil

District 3

District 3 is situated within McIntosh County. It includes the towns of Zeeland, Venturia, Wishek, and Ashley. This district holds 608 miles of line, 447 members, and 3 substation yards. The substations in this district are Ashley, Zeeland, and Danzig. 

Neil Meidinger has served on KEM Electric's Board of Directors since 2016. He was most recently re-elected in 2022.

Dean Dewald

dean

District 5

District 5 is situated within Kidder County. It includes the towns of Steele, Dawson, Tappen, and Crystal Springs. This district holds 558 miles of line, 419 members, and 2 substation yards. The substations in this district are Steele and Tappen. 

Dean Dewald has served on KEM Electric's Board of Directors since 2002. He was most recently re-elected in 2023.

Carmen Essig

Carmen

District At-Large

The Board of Directors includes two at large positions. The Directors represent the service area as a whole.

Carmen Essig has served on KEM Electric's Board of Directors since 1999. He was most recently re-elected in 2023.

Vacant Position

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Interested in serving? Join the KEM Electric Board of Directors.

Nomination petitions open on January 13, 2024 and must be turned in by the end of day on March 13, 2024.

For inquiries or more information, please contact Marcy Sanders at 701-254-4666 or email msanders@kemelectric.com.