Wright-Hennepin celebrates 89th year of The Power of Membership
Rockford, Minn. (April 22, 2026) — Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association’s (WH) 2026 Annual Meeting was Thursday, April 16 at the cooperative’s headquarters in Rockford. This year’s meeting theme, “The Power of Membership,” focused on the benefits of being an electric cooperative member.
Attendees enjoyed more than 1,600 complimentary pork chop dinners prior to the business meeting, held from 7-8 p.m. Informational booths provided details on power quality and reliability, WH Holding businesses, and WH rebates and Energy-Saving Programs, as well as the opportunity to win gift card prizes. Attendees also enjoyed bingo games prior to the business meeting.
670 registered members attended the Annual Meeting, and those who stayed through the meeting received a free pound of butter. Debra Rodondi of Buffalo won the grand prize of a 2015 Ford F-150 4x4 retired from WH’s fleet.
60 children ages 4-10 checked into the children’s room to enjoy crafts and games hosted by the Rockford FFA chapter.
1,483 members voted in this year’s Director election for Districts 2, 5, and 7. LeRoy Lindenfelser was elected to represent District 2, and incumbents Chris Lantto, District 5, and Audrey Britton, District 7, were re-elected. Duane “Butch” Lindenfelser retired from the WH Board of Directors after representing District 2 for 30 years.
Four children won a bike, and Judith Parsons of Otsego won an iPad for early voting in the Director elections.
WH President and CEO Tim Sullivan illustrated the advantages provided by The Power of Membership, including competitive rates and capital credit refunds, Energy-Saving Programs, and a diverse and flexible power supply. Sullivan touched on challenges coming to the electric industry, including increased demand created by a growing economy, electrification of the transportation sector, and the emergence of new mega users like data centers.
“It's the Power of Membership that delivers the abundant quality of life made possible through the miracle of on-demand electricity," said Sullivan.
Other speakers included WH Chief Financial Officer Susan Sorensen, WH Board Chair Erick Heinz, and WH Holding Board Chair Mark Skinner.
Videos exemplifying the benefits of WH’s scholarship program and Operation Round Up were shown. Both videos, as well as a full recording of the Annual Meeting, can be found here.
Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric utility that provides power to rural Wright County and western Hennepin County. The cooperative has been a corporate citizen to the area since 1937 and currently serves more than 61,000 electric accounts. It is headquartered in Rockford, Minn.
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