L-R: Okonek, Brookshaw and Swenson re-elected to electric co-op board
Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative announced the results of its 2024 board election in districts 7, 8 and 9 at the co-op’s 86th Annual Meeting June 14. All three incumbent directors ran unopposed and were re-elected.
In District 7, Jerry Okonek, Spooner, ran unopposed and was re-elected with 366 votes. District 7 includes Webb Lake, Scott, Jackson, Chicog, Casey and Rusk townships.
In District 8, Chuck Brookshaw, Webster, ran unopposed and was re-elected with 278 votes. District 8 includes Swiss, Oakland, Union, Meenon and Sand Lake townships.
In District 9, Tom Swenson, Webster, ran unopposed and was re-elected with 288 votes. District 9 includes Marshland, Lincoln, Grantsburg, Wood River, Daniels, Siren, Anderson and Trade Lake townships.
The election was conducted by mail and online by an independent election contractor. Ballots mailed to members May 1 and the deadline to vote was June 4. Voter participation was 14%, with 748 paper ballots and 199 online ballots received from 6,685 eligible voters.
Okonek, Brookshaw and Swenson will serve three-year terms on the co-op board, beginning with the June 24 regular board meeting. Directors meet monthly to make policy and budget decisions. They are elected by members, and each represents a district in the co-op’s service territory. Overall, nine co-op directors serve on the Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative board.
Other Polk-Burnett board directors are: Cindy Thorman, Osceola, District 1; Mike Morris, Luck, District 2; Ed Gullickson, Amery, District 3; Joe Metro, Balsam Lake, District 4; John Ukura, Luck, District 5; and Wilfred Owens, Frederic, District 6.
"Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative is owned and governed by the members we serve, and local board governance is one of the greatest advantages of our co-op business model,” said General Manager Steve Stroshane. “We thank all members who participated in our 2024 board election and annual meeting.”
Polk-Burnett is a member-owned electric cooperative that provides reliable electricity with efficiency and extraordinary service to 22,000+ homes, farms and businesses. Learn more about the co-op board on our website or call 800-421-0283.
