ALMOST 250 MEMBERS & GUESTS ATTEND CWEC ANNUAL MEETNG
The 87th Annual Meeting for Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative (CWEC) was held April 10 at Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School in Wittenberg. There were 242 members and guests in attendance, with 179 of them registered members of the co-op.
For the safety message, Kevin Kurtzweil, vice president of Operations for CWEC, told those in attendance about how important it is to hook up a generator properly. He also mentioned three storms that occurred over the three weeks prior to the meeting, and the safety concerns about downed powerlines. Because it can be difficult to determine if a downed powerline is still energized, everyone needs to stay away from downed powerlines and they need to call the co-op to rectify the situation.
Kurtzweil also provided an update on the installation of CWEC’s new meter system, which he said has been completed. The new meter system will help crews be more efficient in responding to outages. Kurtzweil also shared information about CWEC’s inspections on its electrical grid, including inspecting poles, overhead lines, and underground lines.
Kurtzweil also spoke about the co-op’s vegetation management program. He said CWEC spent just over $1 million for vegetation management that encompassed 140 miles of power lines.
Brenda Mazemke, manager of Member Relations for CWEC, shared information about how the co-op’s Operation Round Up program helps its members and the communities the co-op serves. In 2024, there were 32 donations totaling $20,250 made through the Operation Round Up program to community organizations and for individual hardships.
In addition, the Operation Round Up program provided $24,400 in education scholarships last year. Mazemke also discussed the co-op’s STEAM grant program available to school districts in the CWEC service area. Through the STEAM grant program, CWEC has issued $6,400 in STEAM grants since the program began. The STEAM grant funds are used by school districts for projects centered on science, technology, engineering, art, or math.
Key statistics for 2024, the statement of operations, and the balance sheet for the co-op were presented by Stacy Claussen, manager of Accounting & Finance for CWEC. She said electric sales in 2024 were 105 MWh, the lowest in the past 10 years, which was attributed to a milder winter.
Members were also informed about how CWEC’s investment in the West Riverside Power Plant has been beneficial for members. In 2019, CWEC invested $5 million in the power plant. Claussen said since that investment in 2019, the co-op has received $4.98 million in total returns. She added that 75% of the returns go directly to the members to offset their electric bills.
During the Chairman’s Report, Board Chairman Tom Smith talked about safety, reliability, and affordability. He concluded his remarks with, “the electric industry is going through a period of rapid change, and the cooperative must be engaged at all levels to protect the members’ interests and that requires all of us to stay on-board.”
CEO & President of CWEC Lila Shower stated that the success of CWEC can be attributed to the dedicated employees and loyal members of the cooperative. She also thanked CWEC Director Lee Lehrer for his 17 years of service on the board.
Director Allen Zander was unopposed in his reelection bid and was reelected in District 3.
In District 2, Todd Pamperin received the most votes to win the director seat vacated by Lehrer’s retirement from the board. Pamperin received 195 votes, while Reichle received 149 votes.
A total of 30 door prizes were given away to members during the Annual Meeting.
Members also donated 220 non-perishable food items to be donated to area food pantries.
After the Annual Meeting, the CWEC Board of Directors met to elect the officers for the board. Allen Zander was elected as chairman, while Lou Oppor was reelected as vice chair, and Sue Rombalski was elected as secretary-treasurer.
2025 ANNUAL MEETING DOOR PRIZE WINNERS
Helen Basinkski – $50 electric bill credit, Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative
Gene Groshek – $100 Amazon gift card, Altec Industries
LaVonne Block – $50 Kwik Trip gift card, American Transmission Company
Kevin Mueller – Smart Watch, The Benefit Works
Gary Jacobson – $25 BP/Amoco Gas gift card, AJ Construction of Wisconsin
Allard Meverden – Leatherman Tool, Zielie’s Tree Services
Jerry Onesti – Collapsible Backpack Cooler & $25 Amazon gift card, NISC & Vanguard Utility Partners, Inc.
James Kryll – Toaster Oven, RESCO
Pamela Sitko – $50 Nueske Meats gift card, Irby Utilities
Greg Weller – $100 Amazon gift card, Cooperative Response Center (CRC)
Gareth Sturms – $50 Nueske Meats gift card, Irby Utilities
Rainold Mlodik – $50 Kwik Trip gift card, Recloser Services LLC
Dennis Mlodik – $100 Kwik Trip gift card, Weld Riley, S.C.
Dennis Felts – $25 BP/Amoco gift card, AJ Construction of Wisconsin
Tim Hollfelder – $50 Kwik Trip gift card, Alliant Energy
Lucas Boge – $50 Kwik Trip gift card, American Transmission Company
Thomas Frederick – $50 VISA debit card, National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC)
John Kruzicki – Grilling Tools & Grill Spice Set, Border States
David Meyer – $100 Kwik Trip gift card, Power Service Engineering, Inc.
Kim Meisner – $50 cash, Country Vision Cooperative
Randall Olson – $25 Amazon gift card, Vanguard Utility Partners, Inc.
Mary Jo Reed – $50 Kwik Trip gift card, American Transmission Company
Brian & Rose Hamilton – $25 Amazon gift card, Vanguard Utility Partners, Inc.
Gene Lettau – Cooler Bag with goodies, Complete Office
Daniel Betker – $50 Visa gift card, National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC)
Evan Bestul – $25 Amazon gift card, Vanguard Utility Partners, Inc.
Leah Wierzba – $50 Kwik Trip gift card, Recloser Services, LLC
Case Reynolds – $50 Service & Repair gift certificate, Gordy’s 66 Service & Towing
Duane Johnson – $50 Kwik Trip gift card, American Transmission Company
Lori Rowe – Alliant Energy Swag Bag of goodies, Alliant Energy
Dennis Seefeldt – Electric Grill, Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative
We would like to thank all the vendors for their generous door prize donations to the 2025 CWEC Annual Meeting. We also congratulate the winners of those door prizes.