From left: Robert Wakehouse, Harrison County REC, (pictured with Jim Miller and Leslie Kaufman, Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives) and Jerry Beck, Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative.
BY ERIN CAMPBELL
Iowa’s electric cooperatives have a new way to recognize the contributions of outstanding individuals within the industry with the introduction of the Iowa Electric Cooperative Excellence Awards Program.
During the 2025 Annual Meeting of the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives (IAEC) in West Des Moines on Dec. 4, the Excellence Awards debuted as a way to honor Iowa electric co-op employees and board directors who go above and beyond. Earlier in the year, employees and board directors of IAEC-member cooperatives were invited to nominate colleagues; a panel of judges independently reviewed all entries to select finalists.
The Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives (IAEC) is a trade association established to support the interests of member-owned electric cooperatives, including 38 distribution co-ops and nine generation and transmission co-ops. Formed in 1942, IAEC aims to unify and empower Iowa’s electric cooperatives through legislative representation, regulatory oversight, training and education services, safety programs, communications support and advocacy. Since 1948, IAEC has been publishing this magazine to share timely and relevant energy information with co-op member-consumers across Iowa. Learn more at www.iowarec.org.
2025 Employee Excellence Award
Robert Wakehouse
Director of Operations
Harrison County Rural Electric Cooperative (REC)
Harrison County REC Board Treasurer Brenda Lundergard noted in her nomination how Robert exemplifies the cooperative spirit of collaboration and service. Robert has worked at the electric co-op for more than 26 years and was promoted to director of operations in 2025.
During Robert’s first month in his new role, the co-op faced two destructive winter storms. Brenda wrote, “Under immense pressure, Robert responded with clarity, determination and strategic foresight with his quick coordination of mutual aid assistance from partner cooperatives and a plan to restore power to our membership. His actions have fostered trust, demonstrated the strength of mutual aid and underscored the resilience of our rural electric systems. He leads by example, inspires loyalty among his team and represents the absolute best of what our statewide cooperative family has to offer.”
In a letter of recommendation that accompanied Robert’s nomination, Harrison County REC CEO Shadon Blum stated, “I have witnessed firsthand the exemplary level of professionalism, leadership and dedication that Robert brings to our cooperative and the communities we serve.” He went on to explain, “Prior to his role as director of operations, Robert served as our subforeman and staking technician. During this time, our co-op faced the devastating loss of a valued member of our cooperative family. Robert did not hesitate and stepped up to lead his fellow crew members to make sure that nothing was left incomplete and the cooperative wasn’t falling short of its core mission, to provide our members with safe and reliable power.”
2025 Director Excellence Award
Jerry Beck
Board Director
Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative
Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative Board Chair Daniel Winterhof shared the following in Jerry’s nomination: “Jerry’s enthusiasm for the cooperative model goes beyond personal interest; it inspires those around him. Through conversations, mentoring and his consistent example, he fosters understanding of the cooperative principles in both his family and the wider community.”
Ken Kuyper, retired executive vice president and general manager of Corn Belt Power Cooperative, shared in his letter of recommendation: “Jerry has been a cornerstone of Iowa Lake’s organization for decades, demonstrating both vision and dependability. His leadership style is rooted in listening, collaboration and action.”
Rick Olesen, retired president and CEO of Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative, wrote the following in his letter of recommendation: “Jerry’s gift, as I have related to many of my peers, is his ability to communicate, especially one on one with his director peers, and work through challenging issues to find common ground and build consensus resulting in positive outcomes in support of the member-consumer.”
And Jerry’s daughter, Elizabeth Beck, shared the following: “What sets him apart is not just his knowledge, but his unwavering commitment to improving the lives of others – through his work, community service and dedication to the cooperative movement. His leadership, vision and integrity consistently reflect the principles he believes in and the values he has lived by for decades.”
As a special surprise, Jerry’s daughter attended the IAEC Annual Meeting from out of state to celebrate the award presentation in person.
Congratulations to Robert Wakehouse and Jerry Beck for being named the first recipients of the Iowa Electric Cooperative Excellence Awards.
Erin Campbell is the director of communications for the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives.
