Each year, at the Annual Meeting of Members, three districts are up for election. The Nominating and Elections Committee works hard to bring the members of the cooperative outstanding nominees to choose from. Below are the candidates up for election this year. The winners will represent three of Dunn Energy Cooperative's nine districts for a three-year term. For more information on the area that these districts cover, please visit our Board of Directors page.
District 2
Jeff Foster (Town of Grant)
My wife, Sharon, and I bought our 80 acre farm in Grant Township, Dunn County 33 years ago. We raised our son, Ian, there and set up a sheep dairy operation. I designed our double-twelve lowline pipeline system and operated our business as a Grade B dairy farm. At our peak of production, I milked 150 ewes twice per day. I co-founded the Wisconsin Sheep Dairy Cooperative and served as its first president. As a struggling new industry, our members had few outlets for our milk. After several years of milking, both of the cheesemakers who had agreed to buy my milk that year went out of business. When no other options were available, I went to work for Xcel Energy in Eau Claire. I retired 5 1/2 years ago from the Customer Care Unit after 14 years of service.
I appreciate the services that Dunn Energy Cooperative has provided my family over the years. From upgrades in meters, to clearing brush, replacing poles, and even burying lines to my farm, Dunn Energy has continuously found ways to improve its service. These improvements have been reflected in the excellent reliability we experience today. Three years ago, Sharon and I had solar panels installed on our garage so that we could do our bit in reducing our carbon footprint. Dunn Energy Cooperative has been a partner in providing electricity when the sun is not shining. Likewise, I have been able to feed electrons back to the grid on the hottest sunny days. From the day we bought our farm in 1992 to today, it amazes me that a rural cooperative can perform the same function for its members as a large for-profit corporation, and at this level of quality. As a director, I would do my part to ensure our members safe, reliable, affordable, and responsibly-sourced electric power.
Qualifications:
- Dunn Energy Cooperative member for 33 years
- 14 years experience in customer service for Xcel Energy, Inc..; retired 5.5 years
- Master of Business Administration Degree, UW-Oshkosh
Goals:
- Strategic Planning: Capacity. Efficiency. Environment.
- Continuous Improvement: Safety. Performance. Reliability. Recognition.
- Member Engagement: Affordability. Flexibility. Appreciation
Patrick Lindgren (Town of Grant)
Qualifications:
- I’ve been a member of Dunn Energy Cooperative for 30 years.
- I worked for a sales & service AI company for 39 years and understand fully the importance of product and service, and its value to the patrons.
- I don’t have board experience, but have been a leader in many local community organizations (bowling, golf, softball, youth coaching, etc.). I understand how to work with people to get things done.
Goals:
- To work hard in making sure electricity is affordable to our patrons but profitable to the cooperative.
- Help ensure a safe and economically suitable work environment for employees.
- Learn from other board members and aid in solutions to any issues that arise.
District 3
Jeff Gasteyer (Town of Eau Galle)
Hello, my name is Jeff Gasteyer. I have lived in Eau Galle Township all my life. I have been married to my wife, Diane for 42 years. I operated a dairy farm from 1980-2017 along with some steers, then switched to a beef feed lot operation.
I currently serve on the Dunn Energy Board of Directors completing my second three-year term of which I am serving my second year as board president. I, also, currently serve on the RESCO (Rural Electric Supply Cooperative) Board of Directors to which I represent the state of Wisconsin as one of two directors. In addition, I serve on the St. Peters Lutheran Church Council of Elmwood, and the Weber Valley Cemetery Board. In the past, I have served on the Dunn County Dairy Promotion Committee as Vice President and President, and a three-year term on the Dunn County Solid Waste and Recycling Board.
Through attending district, state, and national meetings as well as completing the NRCEA director classes; it has allowed me to gain a wealth of knowledge which enables me to lead discussions which are professional, respectful, and informed during our board meetings. To further enhance my ability to lead the board and make educated decisions for our members, I am currently working on my Board Leadership Certification.
The Dunn Energy Board and our management team work well together making decisions for our cooperative members. As a board member, I feel the board has a vital role in deciding what’s best for Dunn Energy and our members. When making these important decisions we must always ask ourselves, “How does this benefit our members?”
As your board member, I am proud to be a part of a great organization. It is important to me to be a strong advocate for our members: remain open-minded, be future-focused, and stay fiduciary responsible which will provide safe, reliable, and affordable energy to our member owners. These are all important attributes which leads to keeping our lights on over 99% of the time. In addition, I will continue to support the many community involvements and activities that Dunn Energy promotes and sponsors.
I have witnessed the true benefits of coops working together as I have been to Madison several times. Directors from Wisconsin have lobbied our state legislature on bills that affect our electric coops. In addition, I have lobbied in Washington, DC and will be returning this spring. Directors from across the country will voice their concerns to our congress on issues pertaining to electrical generation and distribution.
I feel the past six years on the board along with being board president for the last two years, positions me well for future challenges and opportunities that will be presented to Dunn Energy. I would like to thank all the members for their past support and look forward to continuing to meet the member’s concerns through the cooperative way.
Qualifications:
- Our farm has been a member of Dunn Energy since 1952, which I have lived my entire life on and became a member in 2006.
- Completed my second three-year term (6 years) as director – District 3, currently serving my second year as board president.
- Obtained my Credentialed Cooperative Director Certification during my first term, currently working on my Board Leadership Certification and participating in other educational opportunities provided by our state and national organizations.
Goals:
- Continued education in AI technology and data centers, government regulations, and new technologies in electric generation. I will be open-minded and well-informed to have good discussion and make due-diligent decisions that affect Dunn Energy and its members.
- Continue short- and long-term strategic planning to include keeping Dunn Energy’s financial balance sheet strong, the continuation of upgrading our line infrastructure, as well as positioning ourselves for growth opportunities.
- Remain focused on providing safe, reliable, and affordable electricity in an environmentally responsible manner while continuing to be held responsible, held accountable, and be transparent to the members of Dunn Energy.
Travis McKay (Town of Lucas)
I live and grew up near Knapp, WI. I have a wife Kimberly with two sons Mason and Drew. We currently have a business where we sell Grain Bin grain dryers, Drago corn heads, and Channel seed. Then we cash crop corn and soybeans along with that. Running for the board of directors interests me because in a time when electric power is so important and renewable sources are always changing there is a lot to learn. I would like to be the one to lead that and be able relay that information to members as well as hear the concerns of the public and try and find common ground for everyone.
Qualifications:
- Manage Business and Farm.
- Good at communicating with people and working through problems in a timely matter.
- Grew up in District 3 and know the area very well.
Goals:
- Make everyone aware of the different energy incentives that are available to them.
- Make the process of getting new sites more efficient for our members.
- Do my best to learn the wants and needs of the members and make change as needed.
District 5
Sara Cardwell (Town of Menomonie)
Why I would like to be on the Board of Directors
Electric service has become an essential part of our lives that none of us like to be without. When utilities first started providing service, it was mainly used for lighting. Now, we use electricity in ways that our forefathers could not have imagined. We are so reliant that we can’t function without it. What would any of us do if we couldn’t charge our cell phones?
First and foremost, board members need to ensure the cooperative can continue to provide reliable, low-cost electric service. Board members must have the knowledge and foresight to make the right decisions about what electric sources best serve member needs.
Because my career has been spent doing highly specialized work in the utility industry, I believe I have the skills and background to be an effective board member and keep the needs of the members in mind. In addition to technical skills, I have the necessary communication skills to be an effective leader to cooperative members, employees and other board members.
I have seen changes in the work force over time. When I started work, most people stayed with the same company. Today, people change jobs more frequently. This means that we must work harder to create peak performers faster and ensure we create a work environment that encourages people to stay longer.
Member care is also an important function. In 2024 I had the opportunity to work temporarily at the front desk for a sister cooperative. It provided me with updated information as to the reasons members contact their cooperative. Some members still enjoy the fact that they can walk in the door and pay their bill in person in cash. Few other businesses still offer this service.
We participate in the Water Heater Load Control Program. We have never noticed any adverse effects from this program. I also enjoy being in the autopay program and reviewing my energy snapshot every month. I want to work with members to see what programs they are taking advantage of and what more they think the cooperative can do to encourage members to take advantage of current programs and what other programs should be considered.
Qualifications:
- I have spent over 35 years working in the utility industry giving me experience in areas such as resource planning, cost and service studies, and legislation.
- I have over 15 years of supervisory experience including hiring, interviewing, training, preparing job descriptions, and providing performance evaluations.
- I have an undergraduate and master’s degree in business administration and have also completed numerous other training courses relating to the utility field.
Goals:
- Help secure the most reliable and cost-effective sources of power for theCooperative.
- Ensure the cooperative has the means to hire and train the most competent workforce to do the necessary work.
- Work to lower costs and adopt new technologies.
Diane Traxler Fredrick (Town of Menomonie)
Qualifications:
- After earning an engineering degree from the University of Wisconsin, I spent 20 years as a distribution engineer with Alliant Energy, the major utility in southwestern Wisconsin.
- I have deep experience working in the design and construction of gas and electric distribution lines, and the application of engineering and management tools such as cost-benefit analysis, reliability studies, material properties, and energy flow.
- My family has been farming in Dunn County since 1855. My father was 13 years old before electricity came to his dairy farm 5 miles west of Menomonie in 1942. He made sure I understood how much the Rural Electrification Administration and Dunn Energy changed our lives for the better.
Goals:
- Rates – Keep energy costs affordable for Dunn Energy customers as we adapt to a new and much more complex and challenging energy future.
- Reliability – Maintain the high standards of reliability and safety for our employees, homes and businesses through investment in infrastructure, equipment, and training.
- Stability-Dunn Energy has served and supported our rural communities very well for over 80 years, and I will work to preserve this co-op model for our future generations.
Justin Jenson (Town of Menomonie)
Hi, my name is Justin Jensen. I grew up on my family’s farm south of Menomonie where my passion for farming and the outdoors developed. In my free time, I enjoy hunting, fishing, and spending time with my family and friends. After I graduated from CVTC with my associates degree I decided to return to the farm and work alongside my dad. We have a beef cow/ calf operation, raise fat steers, cash crop about 1,000 acres, and produce maple syrup in the spring. My wife Kristyn and I have one son, Jaxson. We enjoy watching him grow up on the farm and develop an interest in the cattle and love for the outdoors.
Qualifications:
- I have served on the Dunn County Farm Bureau board, the Menomonie FFA Alumni board, and the Dunn County Fair board.
- By co-owning and operating my family’s farm, where we produce maple syrup, crop farm, and raise fat steers, I have gained the responsibility to keep our farm productive and sustainable for current and future generations to make a living.
- Through experience with our maple syrup operation and our farm expansion projects, I am very familiar with the steps that need to be taken to install and add power services.
Goals:
- Maintain a financially sound operation by being mindful about investing in and maintaining equipment. My ultimate goal is to give the best service possible to our members.
- Have an open mind about renewable energy, considering all possibilities to attempt to keep our cost down to ultimately provide affordable energy to all members.
- Address problem areas by maintaining lines and ditches before major storms hit to prevent power outages when possible.
