BY KENNY VANDENBERG
Last month, the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives (IAEC) held its 2024 Annual Meeting in West Des Moines, with the theme of “Powering Lives, Empowering Communities.”
With a statewide leadership transition in 2024, it was a year of new beginnings at IAEC. But amidst change, we remain steadfast in our cooperative mission to help Iowa’s electric cooperatives power lives and empower communities every day.
The annual meeting was a bittersweet time for me as it signaled the end of my six-year tenure on the IAEC board, where I most recently served as board president. It has been an honor to represent the electric cooperatives of District 1 on the statewide board, and I found myself reflecting on the many things that our statewide trade association has accomplished in the past six years, including:
- Keeping safety as our top priority, with fiscal responsibility also a priority.
- Seeing great participation in IAEC’s educational and safety training opportunities for co-op staff and directors.
- Witnessing cooperation among cooperatives and restoring power in the wake of two derechos.
- Meeting the COVID pandemic challenges head on and creating more ways to connect with Iowa’s electric cooperatives virtually and digitally.
- Launching our first statewide Shine the Light contest in 2021 to celebrate our cooperative commitment to community.
- Introducing our Cooperative Leadership in Iowa Program in 2023 to equip emerging leaders at Iowa’s electric cooperatives.
- Sending two crews of volunteer linemen to rural Guatemala (in 2019 and 2024) to bring the advantages of electricity to underserved areas.
- Maintaining a credible reputation while defending local co-op governance with legislators and regulators.
- Welcoming Leslie Kaufman as IAEC’s new executive vice president and general manager in July 2024.
None of these accomplishments would have happened without the foresight of the IAEC board along with support from Iowa’s electric co-ops and the statewide staff.
The power in stepping outside of one’s comfort zone
I want to thank the current board members as well as past board members who have helped me along the way over the past six years. There are not enough words to thank the IAEC staff for their help, knowledge and willingness to go above and beyond.
Serving on the IAEC board was the furthest thing from my mind all those years ago, but a few individuals challenged me to step out of my comfort zone and expand my knowledge of the electric industry. If it weren’t for their encouragement, I wouldn’t be here looking back on what was accomplished. I owe these folks a huge thank you for believing in me and giving me a little push.
So, as I pass the baton to new statewide directors at the start of a new year, I challenge each of you to step out of your comfort zone, try new things and get involved in your community. You will be amazed at what you will learn and the lifelong friendships that will develop.
I wish you and your family a blessed year!
Kenny VandenBerg is the outgoing board president for the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives and currently serves as board president of Chariton Valley Electric Cooperative.
