NDAREC names award winners

2026 group awards

MANDAN, N.D. — Five cooperative leaders, two electric cooperatives and a state legislator were recognized for contributions to their cooperatives and communities Feb. 10 during the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC) annual meeting in Mandan.

COOPERATIVE LEADERSHIP AWARD

Two electric cooperative directors and a retired electric cooperative employee earned the Cooperative Leadership Award, which recognizes exceptional leadership and contributions to electric cooperatives, cooperative organizations and local communities. 

  • David Sigloh, Kenmare, Burke-Divide Electric Cooperative director
  • David Hagert, Grand Forks, Nodak Electric Cooperative director (retired)
  • Dean Volk, New England, Slope Electric Cooperative employee (retired)
     

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Two electric cooperative employees were recognized with the Community Service Award, which recognizes volunteer leadership, community service involvement, and contributions to community, civic, charitable and economic development activities. 

  • Scott Leintz, Hazen, Roughrider Electric Cooperative employee
  • Brad Quenette, Hazen, Roughrider Electric Cooperative employee (retired)

 

COOPERATIVE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AWARD

Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative, Edgeley, won the Cooperative Community Development Award, which recognizes an electric cooperative for its leadership in community and economic development, strategic use of development programs and partnership, and commitment to cooperative principles. 


NORTH DAKOTA LIVING LOCAL PAGES AWARD

The North Dakota Living Local Pages Award recognizes a North Dakota electric cooperative and its editor for excellence in the production of the co-op’s “local pages,” the center eight-page section of the North Dakota Living magazine. Northern Plains Electric Cooperative and its local pages editor, Brittnee Wilson, Cando, captured this year’s award. 


HELPING HAND AWARD

Rep. Anna Novak, Hazen, was given the Helping Hand Award, which recognizes an electric cooperative ally who has effectively built coalitions between business, government and co-ops and contributed to the rural electric program. 

“The success of the rural electric cooperative movement has always hinged on people – people who lead, contribute to their cooperatives and communities, and work to build a better quality of life for themselves, their families and their neighbors,” says Josh Kramer, NDAREC executive vice president and general manager. “We are proud to recognize the good work being done in North Dakota communities by cooperative and community leaders and the electric cooperatives which serve them.”

 

NDAREC is the statewide trade association for 17 electric distribution cooperatives and five generation and transmission cooperatives operating in North Dakota. The distribution cooperatives provide electricity to nearly 250,000 North Dakotans. NDAREC services include legislative advocacy, lineworker safety training, cooperative business and rural development, professional development and communication services, including publication of the North Dakota Living magazine. 

 

Click the link to read more details about each award recipient. 

2026 Awards | North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives.