Members of McKenzie Electric Cooperative,
we invite you to attend your 69th annual meeting
Tuesday, June 17,
at Outlaws’ Bar & Grill Ballroom
in Watford City.
www.mckenzieelectric.com
McKENZIE ELECTRIC NEWS , JUN E 2 014 C1
McKENZIE ELECTRIC
908 4th Ave. NE - Watford City, ND; Outpost - Killdeer, ND; 701-444-9288 - 800-584-9239 - www.mckenzieelectric.com
Myra Anderson, thank you
for sharing your tremendous
talent for 35 years
BY JESSIE VEEDER-SCOFIELD
I
Myra’s smile brought comfort and ease to anyone she interviewed and made their stories
come alive.
t seems fitting that Myra Anderson’s
first installment of “Mind’s
Meanderings” came out of a day
when plans went awry.
It was a beautiful summer morning
and the working mother of then 2-yearold Ryan and 5-year-old Marshall
was on her way out the door to report
about a canoeing business on the Little
Missouri River. Everything was set for
the boys to spend the day with their
father, Ron, while Myra went to get the
scoop.
“And then a call came from the big
pasture up north that one of our bulls
had hoof rot,” Myra recalled.
So she cancelled her interview,
packed up the boys and a picnic lunch
and accompanied her rancher husband
C 2 J UN E 2 0 1 4 , M c K E NZIE ELECTRIC NEWS
on a quest to round up the ailing bull.
Now all ranchers and ranchers’ wives
understand that dealing with bulls
can be less than predictable, but Myra
recalls this particular chore turning into
an unforgettable,
pleasant memory.
“We ended up at Ron’s grandparents’
homestead. We sat in the grass, ate
our lunch and visited while the boys
played,” Myra remembers. “This
life can get so busy sometimes, and
I remember that moment being so
peaceful.
So nice.”
And while those tidbits and insight
into life on the ranch and everyday
blessings are what we’ve come to know
and love about Myra and her family
through the years, at
that moment the young
writer was faced with a
deadline and no story to
fill the
empty space.
So Myra wrote about
that afternoon when plans
changed and life slowed down
in the middle of her prairie
home in western North Dakota,
and with the telling of a simple,
heart-touching story, “Mind’s
Meanderings” was created.
Looking back on 30-some years
of stories about a life spent teaching,
ranching and raising her sons, the now
grandmother of four, admits that the
documented memories have been a
gift, her personal favorites being those
written about family, raising her sons,
her grandchildren and a particularly
special tribute piece she wrote early in
her career honoring her late father.
And while readers got to know
Myra through the years as the
magazine’s reporter, Myra made sure
we also learned about new employees,
members, events and other special
stories involving the co-op.
“I think I have written a story on
every museum in our service area,”
Myra said with a laugh. “I’ve written
stories on dairy and chicken farming,
countless business openings, student
scholarships and wildflower gardens.
I’ve met some wonderful people with
wonderful stories.”
Among those with an expertise and
dedication who stood out to Myra
through the years was Leo Quale, the
line superintendent. When she first
began working with McKenzie Electric
Cooperative, she distinctly remembers
www.mckenzieelectric.com
Myra loved sitting down with both members and employees and writing “their story.”
the map of the service area on the wall
of his office.
“He had one on the wall and one in
his mind,” Myra laughed. “He knew
where everything was by heart because
he built those lines.”
Leo’s proficiency speaks volumes
about the times and paints a vivid
picture about how things have changed
since Myra stepped in to tell the
co-op’s story. Today, the astronomical
growth the energy industry has
brought to McKenzie County has
made those maps far too complex and
ever-moving to commit to memory.
Myra admits that keeping up with
it all can be overwhelming, but her
longevity allowed her to get to know
the employees and watch them thrive
in their careers. She’s proud to say that,
in 35 years, the topnotch caliber and
loyalty of the people
who work for the co-op have remained
constant.
“I’ve always enjoyed writing stories
about the people I worked with,” said
www.mckenzieelectric.com
mind’s meanderings
1979-2014
Myra, who has had the privilege of
writing some of the first lineworkers’
retirement stories and following them
up with stories on their children coming
back home to work for the co-op.
“We’re a family here,”
she said.
One of Myra’s first and favorite
projects as a writer for McKenzie
Electric Cooperative was to compile
the co-op’s 40-year history in 1985.
The project sent her reading through
early board meeting minutes, compiling
photographs and interviewing some of
the first
board members.
“I learned then that I liked research,”
said Myra, who also worked as an
English teacher in Watford City for
32 years. “I believe that my work as
a writer had a positive impact on my
teaching. The more I wrote, the more I
wanted my students to write.”
And it seems the reason Myra loved
writing was the reason we loved reading
her stories. Because we could see her in
her kitchen, writing down a childhood
memory as she watched her boys play
in the hay bales outside her picture
window. We understood what it was
like to hang laundry on the line, feel
the warm breeze against our face and
pause to thank God for another day. We
laughed at her mishaps, her mistakes
and small catastrophes because we all
know that life is far from perfect and,
if it can’t be perfect, at least it can be
funny.
Myra’s our storyteller, so it’s fitting
that her next chapter will be focused on
collecting and writing her own family
history. She believes the stories that
shape us and remind us where we came
from are important, so we understand
where we’re going. And she wants
those stories – the spirit of her family
who worked hard to build a life on the
prairies of North Dakota – to be there
for her grandchildren.
Ask her why and she will tell you a
story. She will say, “We have a very
special place here.” ¢
McKENZIE ELECTRIC NEWS , JUN E 2 014 C3
McKENZIE ELECTRIC
You could find Myra present at MEC’s
annual meetings greeting members and
always lending a helping hand.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Hayley Moe wins Basin
Electric/MEC scholarship
H
ayley Moe is the winner of the
2014 $1,000 Basin Electric Power
Cooperative scholarship for a graduating
senior whose parents are members of McKenzie
Electric Cooperative. Hayley is the daughter
of Terry and Angie Moe, who live just east of
Watford City.
Dedicated to creativity, learning and making
the most of new experiences, Hayley is a
positive influence everywhere she goes.
During her high school career, Hayley took
leadership roles in Student Council and her
good grades earned her a place in the National
Honor Society.
Both musical and athletic, Hayley participated
and excelled in track where she competed in
the high jump, the 300-meter hurdles, the 400meter dash and the 4x400 meter relay. Hayley also
belonged to the Watford City High School choir
and played percussion in her high school band.
Hayley’s musical interests took her to Europe
last summer to play for the Northern Ambassadors
of Music where the group visited eight different
countries in three weeks.
In her free time, Hayley enjoys playing the piano
and the marimba, taking pictures and planning her
next traveling adventure.
Hayley will be attending Roanoke College in
Salem, Va., where she will study communications
and explore the possibility of pursuing a career in
youth ministries. ¢
Tori Williams wins $500 MEC scholarship
T
ori Williams was chosen to receive the
$500 McKenzie Electric Cooperative
scholarship for 2014. Tori is the
granddaughter of Kathy and Kenneth Kummer
who reside in the Keene area. Tori graduated
from Watford City High School with a 3.9
grade point average.
Throughout her high school career, Tori
honed her leadership skills in the Girl Scouts
program and was active in choir, speech,
Family, Career and Community Leaders
of America (FCCLA), the National Honor
Society and the drama program where her
team made it to the state competition two years
in a row.
Last summer, her involvement with FCCLA
sent Tori to the national conference in Nashville,
Tenn.
Tori enjoys listening to music and writing and
will use her scholarship to attend the University
of North Dakota, where she will study forensic
science and computer science. Tori’s career
plans include working as a lab technician to help
solve crimes and one day working for the FBI in
forensics. ¢
Kalberer to attend Bismarck State College
T
revor Kalberer won the $500
scholarship given by McKenzie
Electric Cooperative for a graduating
senior whose parents are members of the
co-op.
The son of Tammy and Thomas Kalberer
of Watford City, Trevor is a true sportsman
with a love for the outdoors. He spends his
time hunting, fishing, camping and making
the most of McKenzie County’s beautiful
and rugged landscape. Trevor’s passion is
motocross and in the summer you will find
C 4 J UN E 2 0 1 4 , M c K E NZIE ELECTRIC NEWS him practicing tricks and riding his motorcycles
in area competitions.
In high school, Trevor was involved in the
FFA. Trevor plans to attend Bismarck State
College, where he will major in mechanical
maintenance. Upon completion of his
education, he hopes to move back home to
Watford City, work as a mechanic and continue
to enjoy the adventure and opportunity his
hometown offers. ¢
www.mckenzieelectric.com
McKENZIE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
mind’s meanderings
W
ell, here it
is! This is
the column
I never thought of
writing, and now it seems like the only
one that fits. As I said in my last column,
I’ve never really looked too far ahead
down the road of life. I was busy with
the stretch of highway where I was at the
time.
Thirty-five years ago this month, my
highway was mother, farm wife and
teacher. I wasn’t thinking of adding writer
to that list. Marshall was 3 years old and
Ryan was just 6 months old. When Wayne
Schwartz, member services manager at
McKenzie Electric Cooperative (MEC),
showed up in my yard one day, I said yes
to helping with the center pages of the
magazine in a quick moment. I wasn’t’
thinking about adding another career, I
was in a hurry to get to an appointment
in town. To be perfectly honest, I would
have agreed to about anything to get
that car moving before the boys started
protesting in the car seats.
And so began my career with MEC.
There was never any idea of a personal
column at that time. That didn’t happen
until later. My first column came about as
a result of the unpredictability of ranching
life. I was supposed to go on a canoe ride
down the Little Missouri and do a story
on it. That morning, Ron announced that
he had a bull with something wrong with
its foot in the pasture. He needed help and
since no competent help was available, he
would take me and the boys.
I cancelled the canoe ride, and what I
thought would be a horrible experience
turned out to be one of those magical days
when everything went right. The bull was
located in record time and tamely limped
into the trailer, and we spent a couple of
hours having a picnic on the spot where
Ron’s grandparents had homesteaded.
The boys loved playing around the trees
and Ron and I found time to just have a
conversation that didn’t center on work
or the kids. I wrote about that experience
because I had a page of blank space which
needed to be filled the next day to meet
the deadline. And for almost every month
since then, I’ve shared what’s going on in
my life with you, my fellow members of
MEC.
The column didn’t get its name until
the fall of 1983. I can’t remember why we
decided it should have a name, but I do
www.mckenzieelectric.com
by Myra Anderson
know that I wanted it to be general enough
to cover whatever came into my mind
and heart. Looking back, I guess Mind’s
Meanderings was a pretty good title for
what I’ve shared with you these last many
years.
You have been with me as Marshall and
Ryan grew up. You laughed with me at
their antics and mine. I told you the story
of Swimmer, the almost frozen calf that
the boys and I kept warm in the bathtub
when Ryan was 4 and Marshall 7.
You learned the secrets behind the
Christmas card pictures. And you know
that I still don’t get the cards out in what
many would consider a timely fashion.
You have been with me as I chased horses
and been chased by cows. You watched
the boys grow up along with Ron and me.
I remember getting a call about the sure
way to get out stains in football uniforms
after I had complained about that in a
laundry story. You also confessed that
your refrigerator had some strange things
growing in the back when I wrote that
admission.
You sympathized with my diet disasters
and the photo albums that never got
organized. (Maybe that will be my project
now!) You told me that you, too, felt that
tug when your children flapped those
wings and left the nest. And you put up
with me as I became a grandmother and
Bev set firm rules on how many months
in a row I could write a column on Ava’s
cuteness (our first grandbaby) and the
clever things she could do.
You laughed at my inability to tell a
mountain lion from a barn cat and my
adventures with the swather, baler and
combine. You felt my pain when I wrote
about loss and grieving, and you shared
your faith when I talked about the power
of God to bless us with the beauty of
nature and our friends and family. When
I retired from teaching, you let me know
that there was life in retirement. And now
I’m retiring again. You have shared my
life through Mind’s Meanderings, and you
often told me you liked it. Thank you!
It wasn’t only the columns that I wrote.
I was lucky enough to interview almost
everyone who came to work at MEC since
the summer of 1979. I have done new
employee stories, wedding stories, new
baby stories and retirement stories – and
some of those have all been the same
people. I have interviewed the directors as
they have been elected and retired. I have
made many good friends at the co-op.
I always worked most closely with
the member services department – from
the day that Wayne Schwartz, then
manager of member services, hired me.
Kim Richards and I logged a lot of miles
driving around the country for stories
and he was a huge help when we wrote
“Lighting the Prairies,” a history of the
first 40 years of MEC.
Joyce Clock had to retype and try to
decipher my handwriting for those first
years. Then Nancy Wisness – she was
teaching business classes at Watford City
High School – finally convinced me to
learn to compose at the typewriter.
Bev Maki and I had a lot of adventures
in our time together and more than our
share of laughs. Just remember Bev, I’ll
never leave you locked up in a chicken
coop.
Brenda Berquist is my latest and last
to torment with “I’ll be just a little late
with this month’s articles!” She, too,
has traveled with me throughout MEC’s
service area meeting members, taking
pictures and simply having fun! With each
of these co-conspirators I found a friend
who I still cherish today.
And the people I met doing those
stories – in a word: unforgettable! It was
my joy to meet and share those stories.
We covered a little bit of everything in
those 35 years. And we traveled lots of
miles all over the MEC service area. We
found a garden of wildflowers. Edla, now
I plant wildflowers! We visited museums
in Dunn Center, Alexander and Watford
City. We were given a tour of the old
railroad bridge and told many stories of its
past by the man who loved it best.
We learned about dairy farming,
chicken raising, emus, cattle and lots
more. We did a series about the churches
in our area and we did stories on the first
pioneers and of the young families who
were coming back to the area – and that
was before the Bakken. It was a precious
gift the co-op gave me – a chance to meet
all of you!
And I learned a lot about McKenzie
Electric Cooperative and electricity in
general. In the early days, we wrote our
own safety features and I remember the
lineworkers guiding me through how to
hook up a generator. Ron never trusted me
to do it, but the guys said I had it right in
the article.
continued on page C7
McKENZIE ELECTRIC NEWS , JUN E 2 014 C5
Watford City High School students, along with their teacher Amy Polivka, and McKenzie Electric Cooperative Special Projects Coordinator
John Carns, take a class photo at Coteau Properties.
E
Congratulations to Karl Aaker for completing
the electric utility management program.
lectrical Engineer Karl Aaker
has completed an intensive
program in electric utility
management with the University of
Wisconsin-Madison.
The Robert I. Kabat Management
Internship Program (MIP) is a
series of workshops offered by the
National Rural Electric Cooperative
Association in conjunction with
the University of Wisconsin. The
program guides participants through
all facets of the electric utility
industry, including the many changes
occurring around the nation.
MIP participants go through
three, 10-day sessions designed to
challenge and educate participants
in new, innovative management
techniques. Participants leave with
a better understanding of what
consumers want and how to ensure
they get it.
By also covering the unique
principles that govern the operations
of electric cooperatives, the program
helps the co-op analyze other
business ventures it may want to
enter as well as enhancing the core
organization. Participants learn focus
on member value as part of day-today decision making. ¢
Co-op Owners for Political Action
A
s a consumer-owner of
McKenzie Electric Cooperative,
you are among 42 million
Americans who can claim ownership
in a not-for-profit consumer-controlled
utility that provides electricity at
cost. The ACRE Co-op Owners for
Political Action® program is an exciting
opportunity for you to raise your voice
and participate in the political process.
The Action Committee for Rural
Electrification (ACRE®) is the political
action committee of the nation’s electric
cooperatives. For more than 40 years,
C 6 J UN E 2 0 1 4 , M c K E NZIE ELECTRIC NEWS ACRE has been working to support
candidates for the U.S. Senate and House
of Representatives who understand and
support electric cooperatives and their
consumer-owners. Through ACRE
Co-op Owners for Political Action, you
as a consumer-owner have the ability
to strengthen this support and join over
30,000 ACRE members who form a
strong grassroots network dedicated
to the long-term success of the electric
cooperative program.
We hope that you will consider this
program. Together we will continue
to fight for a viable environment for
electric cooperatives and the quality of
life of the people and communities’ that
cooperatives serve. ¢
(Contributions to ACRE Co-op
Owners for Political Action® are not
tax deductible. All contributions to
ACRE are voluntary and will be used
for political purposes. Contribution
guidelines are suggestions only. You
may contribute more or less than the
recommended amount. You may refuse to
contribute without reprisal.)
www.mckenzieelectric.com
CAPITAL CREDITS
Do you have money waiting for you?
The following people have capital credit checks for which we do not have a
current address. Please notify us if you have a current address for any of these
people, or if you are entitled to the capital credits in the case of an estate.
Information must be received by Nov. 30, 2014, to McKenzie Electric,
P.O. Box 649, Watford City, ND 58854-0649; or call toll-free 800-584-9239 or
701-444- 9288. In December 2014, checks will be reissued with the updated
information for the eligible members.
Amble, Brian
American Legion #271
Anderson, Jim
ANR Productions
Aplex Industries
Azure, Madonna
Baker, Colleen
Bears Tail, Daryl
Beauchamp, Mavis & Ken
Bedor, George
Beef Country Riders
Begay, Andrea
Bell, Pam
Bernhagen, Rosalie
Bird, Jennifer R.
Blegen Repair Service
Borstad, Jerry
Buckingham, John
Campbell, Debra M,
Chadwick, Rhinney
Charging, R, Dale
Christianson, Claude
Costilla Energy Ince
Crutcher, Michael & Shary
Dakota Parkway
Danks, Marilyn
Danks, Maurice M. Jr.
Demary, Tom and Elizabeth
Dubois, Gabriella
Dufficy, Toni & David
Dunn County Rod & Gun
Edward, Mike Davis
Eisenhuth, Glen Dr.
Equitable Resources
Farris, Larry
Fox, Blaine Flynn
Fox, Dean P.
Fox, Thomas J.
Freeman, Beulah
Frontier Wellheads &
Supply
Geolinear Company
Gillette, Evadne
Good Bird, Ann
Goodis, Charles
Gourneau, Linda Dr.
Grady, Calvin Sr.
Grant, Helen Dr.
Grinnell, Luther
Guzman, Frank & Jeraline
Haines Construction
www.mckenzieelectric.com
Hale, Ardis Catherine
Hall-Waltner, Katrinka
Halsey, Jonelle
Halvorson-Young Bear,
Judy
Harrison, Tom
Holen, Valaire
Holm, Donald & Teresa
Hull, Ken
Huntsalong, Mathew
Huwe, Kelly
Ihli, Dale
Ihli, Dale and Sam
Intersate Brokers
Irwin, Rose
Jensen, Rusty and Joan
Jilek, Larry
Johnson, Jennifer
Jore, Esther
K&J Oil Company
Kadrmas, Roberta
Karsky, Lawrence
Koch Services
Krueger, Bert L.
Kukla, Paul
Kukowski, Vernon
Lewis, Chuck & Josephine
Lincoln, Corrine
Lindvig, Donald
Lingle, Tawny
Little Swallow, David Jr.
Locken, Larry
Lockwood, Frank and
Joyce
Lone Fight, Sharon
Long, Nikki & Jerry
Mahto, Kasey
Main Energy
Mandan, Vanessa
Mandaree Inc.
Manhattan Oil Inc
Mathistad, Todd
Matthews, Amy
Mcculliss Resources Co.
McDonald, Yolanda
McKenzie County Heritage
Meridith, Loretta
Mingus, Daryl
Molzahn, Shannon
Motorola Inc.
Myers, Don & Penny
Newnam, Curtis D.
Nicholson, Rad E.
O’Berry, Kathy or Clarence
Olheiser, David
Olson, Frank
Paulson, Benjamin and
Lisa
Petryszak, Don
Phelan, Randy/Jessica
Pratt, James
Quale, Chuck & Marilyn
Renbarger, Jerome
Reule Buck & Wayne White
Rice, Margaret
Ross, Carol
Sanderson, David
Satermo, Dwight
Schultz, Ty
Sheets, Jeff
Shypkoski, Dwayne & Lori
Siers, Theodore and Andri
Simnioniw, Ed
Smith, Alan N.
Smith, Larry
Snyder Oil Co.
Sorensen, Signe
Spotted Bear, Alyce
Standish, Leroy Sr.
Starr, Mavis
Stroh, Emanuel
Swaine, Thelma
Talyor, Arland and Jeni
Taylor, Frank
Texaco Pipeline Inc
Three Affiliated Tribes
Tiokasin, Virgil & Buck
Tipperary Petroleum Co.
Walker, Angela
Walla, James
West Hazmat Companies
Inc
White Body, Ardis
White Owl, Eugene Mrs.
Wilkie, Jennifer
Wilkinson, Tom
Wilson, Carla
Winters, Glenn
Wolf, Clinton
Wolff, Marsha
Woodward, Deana
continued from page C5
It was writing a story on a gas plant in
our territory when I learned to have all
stories checked by those who know. I had
gone through the whole process, diligently
taking notes and asking questions. My
final question to the man in charge of
the plant was “just what is that aiming
tower aiming at?” He suddenly looked
worried and said it was an “amine” tower
and asked to read the story before it was
printed. I completely agreed with him.
I’ve been privileged to document the
stories of our line crew braving the storms
in all seasons to keep the power on for our
members. The equipment has changed and
some of the lines have gone underground.
The quality and dedication of our
lineworkers have not changed at all. The
line crew is still the heart of the co-op.
They are the ones who are on the ground
and in the field every day to see that lines
are fixed, maintained and working. Even
before I began writing for MEC I knew
the sacrifice these men and their families
make for us. Over the years, it’s become a
tradition that when the peaches are ripe, I
bring in a few pies for those guys to show
my appreciation. And when I miss, they
remember. That’s one thing that won’t end
with my retirement. Thank you, guys!
This has gone on way too long. I can
hear Kim, Joyce, Bev and Brenda telling
me we don’t have that much room. But
there was a lot to say. Thanks to all the
men and women in the office who I got
to work with and know. Everyone was
willing to take the time to help me with
the stories – keeping me current and
correct! Thank you to all the members
of the board and to the managers. You
trusted me to tell the co-op’s story. I did
my best.
So now I’m done telling you my stories.
I didn’t get a chance to tell you about the
latest trip with my sister Ryma and our
jeep trip that took us to the literal edge of
the canyon. I won’t be able to update you
on the amazing things my four absolutely
wonderful grandchildren are doing. But
you will hear new stories from two great
writers who are taking over this space. I
can’t wait to read them.
I thank you, my friends, for allowing
me to come into your home each month.
I haven’t lost the joy of writing and I
still love the people I work with and get
to meet in this job. But I came around a
bend in the road and it was time to take a
new path. I didn’t really see it coming, but
when I got here – I found I was ready. ¢
McKENZIE ELECTRIC NEWS , JUN E 2 014 C7
BOARD
OF
DIRECTORS
Tescher
Link
Hanna
Thompson
Wahlstrom
Johnson
Monsen
Houghton
Board report
Regular board meeting of
April 30, 2014
The regular meeting of the
McKenzie Electric Board of Directors
was held at the Headquarters Building
in Watford City, North Dakota.
Directors present were: Ray Tescher,
Dennis Johnson, Donald Link, Glen
Houghton, Clayton Monsen, Tim
Wasem, Cameron Wahlstrom and
Travis Thompson. Cooperative
Manager/CEO John Skurupey,
Cooperative Attorney Dennis Johnson
and staff personnel of McKenzie
Electric were also present.
PRELIMINARIES: Jasper
Schneider, State Director with
USDA Rural Development, met
with the Board of Directors and
gave a presentation on what Rural
Development is doing in North
Dakota and in the local community.
The agenda for the meeting was then
approved by the Board of Directors.
Minutes of the previous Board
meeting were approved. Director
expenses were also approved.
DIRECTOR ISSUES: The Board
discussed several issues impacting
MEC and its members. Plans for the
new headquarters were discussed in
detail. It has become very clear that
the current headquarters buildings and
storage yard are no longer adequate
for safe and efficient operations. The
Board then approved moving forward
with the new headquarters project.
The Board also passed a resolution
approving the 2014 Load Forecast
prepared by Basin Electric.
ASSOCIATED
ORGANIZATIONS: Donald
Link reported on highlights of
the Statewide Board meeting.
Representative Kevin Cramer visited
with the Board at the end of their
meeting discussing several issues
that had been before the House of
Representatives including the recent
Farm Bill.
POWER SUPPLY: Travis
Thompson reported there had been no
Upper Missouri meeting since the last
MEC meeting.
ATTORNEY’S REPORT:
Attorney Dennis Johnson reported
on an assignment of capital credits
request from an individual and would
be responding by letter outlining
capital credit requirements laid out
in MEC’s Bylaws. The Board also
reviewed and discussed the prepared
bidding rules for the sale of the
existing headquarters campus.
Wasem
C 8 J UN E 2 0 1 4 , M c K E NZIE ELECTRIC NEWS OFFICE REPORT: Financial and
Skurupey reported on substation
statistical reports for March were
and transmission line projects, the
reviewed with the Board along with
Reservation Producer meeting and
cash flow discussions. The annual
wholesale power issues. Skurupey
audit, along with management’s
reported that he and Attorney Johnson
discussion and analysis, is nearly
met with MDU representatives and
complete and will be presented at
the City of Killdeer; the outcome
the May board meeting. The Board
of the meeting was that the City of
approved a corporate resolution to
Killdeer will not require a service
open a new checking account. The
area agreement.
Board also approved Member Policy
NEXT MEETING DATE:
107 regarding the initial deposit for
The next meeting date was set for
new accounts.
May 28, 2014 at the Watford City
ENGINEERING REPORT: An
Headquarters building.
update was given on the staking/
ADJOURNMENT: There being
mapping software project and the
no further business, the meeting
workflow process software. An
was adjourned. 
update was also given on
major distribution projects,
substations, metering,
transmission projects, right of
way issues and the power theft
issue in Dunn County. Staff
discussed with the Board their
proposed cost estimate for
908 4th Ave. NE
Watford City, N.D. 58854
SCADA needs.
OPERATIONS REPORT:
Phone: 701-444-9288
An update on projects currently
Toll-free:
800-584-9239
being built by contractors was
given. MEC crews continue
Web page:
with smaller construction
http://www.mckenzieelectric.com
projects, conversion work,
Email:
outages, emergency locates,
distribution switching and other
[email protected]
miscellaneous work. The safety
meeting covered Arc Flash and
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS:
a field observation day.
Ray Tescher, Chairperson
NERC COMPLIANCE:
Director, District 3A, Beach................... 565-2342
An update was given on the
Donald Link, Vice Chairperson
process to develop policies
NRECA Director, Statewide Director
and programs for MEC
Director, District 2A, Alexander............ 828-3427
Rondee Hanna, Sec.-Treas.
to become NERC (North
Director, District 2C, Watford City....... 675-2516
American Electric Reliability
Travis Thompson, Director-At-Large
Corporation) compliant.
Director, District 1C, Charlson.............. 675-2373
Proposals are being submitted
Upper Missouri G&T Director
to compliance consulting firms
Cameron Wahlstrom
to aid MEC in this process.
Director, District 1A, Alexander............ 770-6631
Dennis Johnson, Alternate Statewide Director
MEMBER SERVICE
Director, District 1B, Watford City........ 842-2055
REPORT: The Member
Clayton Monsen
Service report included an
Director, District 2B Arnegard................ 586-3336
update on MEC’s scholarship
Glen Houghton
winners, the power plant
Director, District 3B, Grassy Butte........ 863-6606
tours and MEC’s upcoming
Tim Wasem,
annual meeting. The winners
Director, District 3C, Halliday................ 938-4376
of the $500 McKenzie Electric
Scholarships are Trevor
Kalberer and Tori Williams
GENERAL MANAGER/CEO:
from Watford City High
School. MEC’s annual meeting
John Skurupey
will be held on Tuesday,
701-570-3542
June 17, in the lower level
of Outlaws’ Bar and Grill in
Watford City.
MEMBER SERVICES DEPARTMENT:
GENERAL MANAGER/
Brenda Berquist, Member Services
CEO REPORT: General
Coordinator................................................ 444-4033
Manager/CEO John
www.mckenzieelectric.com