The Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives of Iowa are driven by our commitment to community.
To celebrate local volunteers, the Shine the Light contest returned for a sixth year and received 83 volunteer nominations during June. This year’s entries came from 25 Iowa electric co-ops and one municipal utility served by Corn Belt Power Cooperative. Employees and member-consumers of Iowa’s locally owned electric cooperatives were invited to nominate someone who makes a positive difference in their community.
Three winners will be awarded a $3,000 donation to their charity or community organization of choice and will be featured in next month’s issue. Please join us in celebrating these nominees for their outstanding commitment to community. Learn more at www.IowaShineTheLight.com.
To follow are this year’s nominees, listed alphabetically by electric cooperative.
2026 SHINE THE LIGHT NOMINEES
Allamakee-Clayton Electric Cooperative
Jane Hasek from Harpers Ferry was nominated by Marita Clark for her work with Harpers Ferry Area Heritage Society.
Butler County Rural Electric Cooperative
Mark Bohner from Tripoli was nominated by Nancy Kappmeyer for his work with Waterloo Salvation Army Food Programs.
Dave and Judy Bucknell from Ionia were nominated by Jennifer Waddell for their work with Big 4 Fair.
Stephanie Duhrkopf from Sumner was nominated by Nancy Meyer for her work with Sumner Daycare and Learning Center.
Shirley Wubbena from Bristow was nominated by Deb McWhirter for her work with Wilder Park/Hospice of NE Iowa.
Calhoun County Electric Cooperative Association
Stacy Corey from Lake City was nominated by Elaine Lietz for her work with Goins Park Revitalization Committee.
Alyson Dietrich from Rockwell City was nominated by Joan Wagner for her work with Rockwell City Revitalization.
Lynne Gentry from Rockwell City was nominated by Monica Wuebker for her work with Calhoun County Historical Museum / Carnegie Project.
Marlene Schossow from Pomeroy was nominated by Nancy Olson for her work with William G. Pomeroy Foundation State Historical Society of Iowa.
Chariton Valley Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Marilyn Colwell from Albia was nominated by Jill Crall for her work with St. Mary’s Church.
Jim Owens from Albia was nominated by Norm Major for his work with Welcome Home Soldier Monument.
Belinda Seay from Moravia was nominated by Sharon Cunningham, Pat Merrick and Marnie Starr for her work with Monroe County Helping Hands, Inc.
Helen Theulen from Blakesburg was nominated by Ilene Johnson for her work with Friends of the Blakesburg Public Library.
Patty Yarkosky from Albia was nominated by Vickie Wilkinson for her work with Welcome Home Soldier Monument.
Clarke Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Leslie Ruby from Murray was nominated by Nathan Ruby for her work with Clarke County 4-H Extension.
East-Central Iowa Rural Electric Cooperative
Ricky Davis from Marengo was nominated by Joyce Davis for his work with Federal Building Veterans Food Pantry.
Ronda Reid from Cedar Falls was nominated by Connie Kaltenbach for her work with Otter Creek Animal Shelter.
Eastern Iowa Light & Power Cooperative
Emily Eichelberger from Muscatine was nominated by Sara Carlson for her work with NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley and was also nominated for her work with MakeItOk: Muscatine.
Megan Gleeson from West Burlington was nominated by Kathy Wunderlich for her work with Rally for Reid Foundation.
Becky Hansen from Wilton was nominated by Terry and Jeffrey Becker for her work with Wilton American Legion Auxiliary.
Farmers Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Greenfield)
Richard Bryson from Afton was nominated by Retta Ripperger for his work with Afton Development Corporation.
K’Lea Johnson from Afton was nominated by Leonard and Laura Feld for her work with Afton Development Corporation.
Iris Westphal from Greenfield was nominated by Raedeen Bigelow for her work with Greater Greenfield Hygiene Pantry.
Franklin Rural Electric Cooperative
Michael Bridwell from Hampton was nominated by Vicki Claypool for his work with Hampton Senior Citizens Center.
Patrick Palmer from Hampton was nominated by Christy Mason for his work with Clean Up Closet - United Methodist Church.
Grundy County Rural Electric Cooperative
Chris Fleshner from Reinbeck was nominated by Emma Fleshner for his work with Gladbrook Reinbeck FFA.
Shane Lamb from Voorhies was nominated by Kelvin Chvojka for his work with AMVETS Post 82.
Derek Snakenberg from Parkersburg was nominated by Allyson Miller for his work with Veteran Flagpole Initiative.
Guthrie County Rural Electric Cooperative Association
Ellen Campbell from Panora was nominated by Luann Waldo for her work with Stitch and Chatter Club / First Christian Church.
Marlene Schossow from Pomeroy was nominated by Mary Clancy for her work with William G. Pomeroy Foundation State Historical Society of Iowa.
Kristi Sutherland from Adel was nominated by Thomas Burkgren for her work with Panther Creek Church of the Brethren.
Harrison County Rural Electric Cooperative
Jake Schaben from Dunlap was nominated by Jill Schaben for his work with Dunlap Betterment Group.
Heartland Power Cooperative
Karl Fox from Osage was nominated by Josie Popp for his work with Mitchell County Fair.
Allyn and Carol Milton from Osage were nominated by Carol A. Anderson for their work with Shop on State.
Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative
Nancy Anderson from Estherville was nominated by Lisa Dreeszen for her work with Emmet County Relay for Life.
Roy Gage from Estherville was nominated by Katie Harris, Rosie Harvey and Jennifer Sievert for his work with Emmet County Historical Society.
Robin Hansen from Ringsted was nominated by Jennifer Long for her work with Ringsted American Legion Post 0382.
Nola Jensen from Spirit Lake was nominated by Warren Jager for her work with Cherish Center.
Dave Johnson from Aurelia was nominated by Duane Kent for his work with Aurelia Community Foundation.
Kevin Olson from Albert City was nominated by Morgan Olson for his work with Albert City Fire Department.
Karolyn Snedecker from Newell was nominated by Anne Mohr for her work with BV Cat and Dog Rescue League and Kountry Kennels.
Maquoketa Valley Electric Cooperative
Eileen Chavez Bates from Anamosa was nominated by Bri Huss for her work with Cultivate Anamosa.
Bryson Bormann from Preston was nominated by Brianna Lane for his work with Community Ambulance Service of Preston.
Skott Gent from Monmouth was nominated by Dean Engel for his work with Together We Build, Inc.
Jenna Spain and Katelyn Hasenbank from Delmar were nominated for their work with Maquoketa Therapy Dogs.
Andy Kelchen from Cascade was nominated by Matt Kurt for his work with Aquin Educational System.
Teri Klaren was nominated by Stacey Christiansen for her work with Delaware County Pay It Forward.
Michelle Ries from Manchester was nominated by Ellen Goldsmith for her work with Delaware County Pay It Forward.
Midland Power Cooperative
Kim Adams from Ames was nominated by Jan “Hondo” Warwick for her work with Boone Area Humane Society.
John Bolton from Ogden was nominated by Karren Dannen for his work with Ogden Food Pantry.
Carol Cornelius from Ames was nominated by Dawn Heaberlin for her work with Food at First.
Bryce Duling from Madrid was nominated by Richard Schneider for his work with Feeding the Kids.
Carsten Geisler from Ames was nominated by Dellisa Geisler for his work with Bailing Out Benji.
Diane Howe from Johnston was nominated by Pam Childers for her work with Johnston Partnership for a Healthy Community.
Matt Johnson from Stratford was nominated by Rashele Johnson for his work with Dayton Rodeo and Celebration Committee.
EB Lawlor from Madrid was nominated by Janice Gordon for her work with Friends of the Ledges.
Ashley Platte from Ellsworth was nominated by Heidi Eckers for her work with Ellsworth Community Association.
Mindy Royster from Ames was nominated by David Willett for her work with Seven Oaks Ski Patrol.
Leo Timms from Ames was nominated by Debra Timms for his work with Gilbert Community Schools Fine Arts Committee.
Judy Whitney from Slater was nominated by Carole Harmon for her work with Slater/Sheldahl Food Pantry.
New Hampton Municipal
Jay and Beth Bobenmoyer from Lake View were nominated by Katie Owen for their work with Caring Farms.
Nishnabotna Valley Rural Electric Cooperative
Pamela Clark from Treynor was nominated by Doris Bane and Layna Bentley for her work with Non-Profit Tax Preparers.
North West Rural Electric Cooperative
Lisa Klein from Sheldon was nominated by Sandra Voss for her work with Love INC of Greater O’Brien County.
Andrea Penning from Remsen was nominated by Shirley Schroeder for her work with Stuff a Stocking.
Sheryl Storm from Archer was nominated by Pam Thornton for her work with Conquering Cancer 4 O’Brien County.
Pella Cooperative Electric Association
Rebecca Helland from Pella was nominated by Jane Noteboom for her work with Sprigs ‘n Sprouts.
Sarah Treft from Pella was nominated by David E. Way for her work with Many Hands.
Prairie Energy Cooperative
Kelly Kirstein from Clarion was nominated by Kent D. Kirstein for her work with Chicks Ministry.
Tyler Linn from Goldfield was nominated by Haley Fitzpatrick for his work with Lazy J Rescue Ranch.
Danielle Rogers from Fort Dodge was nominated by Joyce Harms for her work with SALT (Shining A Light Together) Center.
Raccoon Valley Electric Cooperative
Brady Boell from Carroll was nominated by Jill Hannasch for his work with KB Project.
Southern Iowa Electric Cooperative
Lexis Frymoyer from Bloomfield was nominated by Marissa Logterman for her work with Davis County Agricultural Society.
Lynette Smith from Bloomfield was nominated by Joye Lore-Lawson for her work with Davis County Tourism Corporation.
T.I.P. Rural Electric Cooperative
Allison Gonyo from West Des Moines was nominated by Marty McCoy for her work with Children’s Cancer Connection.
Western Iowa Electric Cooperative
Sheri Joyner from Soldier was nominated by Amy Christensen for her work with Food4U.
Jean Stadtlander from Manning was nominated by Tim and Joni Kienast for her work with Manning Heritage Foundation.
Woodbury County Rural Electric Cooperative
Amy McFarland from Anthon was nominated by Kevin Clausen for her work with Anthon Community Development Corporation.
