Nov-Dec. Basin Today 2015

B A S I N T O D AY BASIN EL EC T RIC P OW ER COOPER AT I V E

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P EOPL E. POWER. PURPOSE. NOV EMBER | DECEMBER 2015

M AG A ZINE

Basin Electric Headquarters employees shared their creativity and treats in support of Missouri Slope Areawide United Way. In the spirit of the holiday season, employees hosted a bake and craft sale, which raised more than $1,300 for the United Way.

CONTENTS V O L U M E 18

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NUMBER 6

ON THE COVER Basin Electric had a busy 2015. The gamut of activity spans the cooperative and its subsidiaries. Check out http://bit.ly/Basin2015Review. It’s a recap video sharing the cooperative’s successes and challenges throughout the year.

IN EVERY ISSUE 2 CEO and general manager column: Paul Sukut 4 In brief 18 Feature series: A day in the life of ... Don Applegate 20 Employee highlights FEATURE STORIES 6 Annual meeting moments speak volumes 10 A state of continuous improvement 12 Meet your director ... Troy Presser 14 Focused on people first 16 Helping the healers CONTRIBUTORS Editor: Andrea Blowers (ablowers@bepc.com) Publications manager:

Mary Miller

Graphic designer:

Nicole Perreault

Photographers:

Chelsy Ciavarella & Dani Molinaro

Writers:

Tracie Bettenhausen, Tammy Langerud, Chris Gessele, Dain Sullivan & Joan Dietz

Use your smartphone barcode scanner to view stories online.

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2015 | 1

CEO A ND G E NE R A L M A N AG E R C OL UMN

PAUL SUKUT A YEAR OF HISTORY-MAKING

LIVING AND MOVING It doesn’t seem possible we’re closing out another year. It was good to see so many of you at our 2015 Annual Meeting. I enjoyed sharing updates on the cooperative family, our assets and how we are living out our mission to take care of rural America.

It’s the holiday season – a time of gratitude, celebration and reflection. We have much to reflect on and, indeed, celebrate.

We developed a 2015 Cooperative Plan aimed at focusing and refining our work. To put it simply, 2015 has been a great year.

So, what’s in our 2015 yearbook?

We successfully integrated into the Southwest Power Pool after years of analysis, reflection and preparation. While we are still working through it, we can feel good about this historical, monumental shift in the way we operate our assets and the opportunities this move creates.

We bought out of the Rural Utilities Service, and in the process, raised $1.5 billion, representing the largest generation and transmission cooperative U.S. private placement transaction to date. While a difficult decision, this move will allow us greater flexibility and speed in raising necessary capital for large projects.

We celebrated the one-year anniversary of our culture-changing Our Power My Safety initiative across the Basin Electric and Dakota Gasification Company family. This continuous improvement initiative has created leaders across the cooperative and has served as a model aimed at improving safety, efficiency and engagement of our best resources – our people.

Construction continues on Phase III of our Pioneer and Lonesome Creek stations, and the Antelope Valley to Neset and the North Killdeer Loop transmission lines. All of these projects will better serve our growing membership and reinforce reliability in the region.

2 | BASIN TODAY

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

FORWARD THE COOPERATIVE WAY Dakota Gas is well on its way to its 10th and 11th coproducts with the construction of a urea processing facility. Not only will this facility provide a vital and in-demand fertilizer for our members, but it allows for the development of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) used to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions in diesel engines.

We’ve increased our focus on development of our employees. It begins as soon as new employees walk through our doors with a revamped employee orientation program, which now includes a strong focus on Basin Electric’s history and the cooperative business model. Additionally, we’re focusing on leadership development, job shadowing and mentoring.

We’re expanding this program to include cooperative internships, which allows member and Basin Electric employees to have boots-on-the-ground training at their respective cooperatives. We’re enhancing our commitment to our youth, and are in the process of launching the EmPOWER Youth Leadership Program across our membership. The program was started by Sioux Valley Energy and targets juniors in high school, teaching them leadership skills and cooperative principles, with plenty of opportunities for hands-on work.

We made history with the Missouri Valley Family YMCA, when Basin Electric, together with other organizations, helped bring additional much needed childcare to Bismarck-Mandan. This unique partnership allows participating organizations to guarantee slots for our employees’ children. We are actively looking into more childcare solutions in Mercer County, ND, and in Wheatland, WY. We took another step forward in our commitment to workforce when we broke ground on a new addition to our Headquarters building. When complete in 2017, Basin Electric will have all Bismarck employees under one roof for the first time since the 1980s, instead of

spread out among four locations. This will further support training and collaboration needs into the future.

The generosity of our members and employees shined brighter than ever this year. We broke our United Way employee pledge record, raising nearly $122,000.

Basin Electric matched this amount for a combined contribution of nearly $244,000. Our Brave the Shave campaign for childhood cancer raised an all-time high of more than $440,000 for a total of $1.9 million since 2008. Basin Electric’s member cooperative charitable donation matching program also reached 100 percent of our goal for the first time. Through this program, Basin Electric sets aside one-third of its charitable budget to match member donations at the local level to maximize cooperative involvement. Lastly, our employee-led cooperative garden resulted in more than 500 pounds of fresh produce donated across the Bismarck-Mandan community.

I could list more accomplishments. The Basin Electric family never ceases to amaze me. And, while it hasn’t all been easy, I think it is important to take time to celebrate our accomplishments.

We’re in the process of developing our 2016 Cooperative Plan. No doubt, the coming year will bring challenges associated with the Clean Power Plan. But, we must continue moving the cooperative forward, rather than solely focusing on our challenges. This is how we not only get things done, but how we solve problems. We do this with you – our member-owners. It’s the cooperative way. It’s you, and you are remarkable.

Have a safe and wonderful holiday season.

Paul Sukut, CEO and general manager NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2015 | 3

IN B RIE F

Employees exceed 2015 United Way fundraising goal

Basin Electric employees shattered the cooperative’s United Way fundraising goal for 2015. Employee pledges totaled $121,813, which is $11,000 more than the year’s fundraising goal of $110,000. With Basin Electric’s 100-percent match, that total grew to more than $243,000.

Basin Electric CEO and General Manager Paul Sukut commended employees. “Your generosity is so much appreciated,” Sukut said. “I couldn’t be more proud to work for a cooperative, and work alongside you at Basin Electric. Our cooperative light truly shines the brightest when it’s needed the most.”

Construction on transmission projects continues ND

Tioga Neset Williston Judson 345 kV

Minot

Watford City Charlie Creek

AVS Beulah

Dickinson

Bismarck

Substations Cities Corridor

Antelope Valley Station-to-Neset Basin Electric’s Antelope Valley Station-to-Neset transmission project in North Dakota is on track to be complete by the end of 2017. About 65 percent of the project is done and the week of Dec. 14, Basin Electric energized the Charlie Creek-to-Judson portion of line.

It means 140 of the project’s 200 miles of transmission line is complete.

4 | BASIN TODAY

North Killdeer Loop The Patent Gate, Kummer Ridge and Roundup substations, part of Phase I of the North Killdeer Loop, are currently on schedule to be complete by Aug. 31, 2016. Concrete work is done, and Basin Electric has started setting steel and electrical equipment into place. Transmission line between Patent Gate and Kummer Ridge is also under construction, with structure foundations complete. All structures are on site and the contractor is expected to start framing Jan. 1, 2016. http://bit.ly/BEPCTransmission

Basin Electric plays part in nationwide NERC security exercise Basin Electric employees were part of GridEx III, a nationwide security exercise Nov. 18-19.

Sponsored and adminis tered

by NERC, North American Electric Reliability Corporation , the exercise is designed to enhance the coordination of cyber and physical security resources and practices within the industry, as well as communication with government partners and other stakeholders, including those in Canada and Mexico.

The biennial exercise gives participants the opportunity to self-assess their emergency response and recovery plans through a simulated exercise that takes place across North America. One of more than 350 organizations participating, Basin Electric employees from several departments played their part in the scenario.

Member matching program maxed out in 2015

Member Matching Program

54 co-ops

8 states

$480,000 This year marks a first for Basin Electric’s member matching program: 100 percent of Basin Electric’s budget for member matches was distributed.

Each year, Basin Electric sets aside one-third of its charitable giving budget for member matching donations.

Fifty-four co-ops from eight states in Basin Electric’s service area participated in the member matching program to help distribute more than $480,000 to their communities.

Three Montana co-ops to join Basin Electric membership Basin Electric directors voted to amend the Tongue Upper Missouri Power River Cooperative and PowMid-Yellowstone der River Energy Corporation (PRECorp) All Requirements Contracts to include new members. Starting October 2017, Upper Missouri’s contract will include deliveries to Mid-Yellowstone Electric Cooperative and PRECorp’s contract will include deliveries to Fergus Electric Cooperative and Tongue River Electric Cooperative. Mid-Yellowstone Electric is headquartered in Hysham, MT, Fergus Electric in Lewistown, MT, and Tongue River Electric in Ashland, MT. MT

Fergus

FIND US ON THE WEB BasinElectric.com DakotaGas.com

Large vessels arrive at Synfuels Plant

Read Basin Today online @ basinelectric.com/BasinToday

After a couple months of traveling, three very large pieces of equipment arrived at their final destination as part of the urea facility construction project at Dakota Gasification Company’s Great Plains Synfuels Plant.

The high pressure scrubber, high pressure stripper and pool reactor arrived at the Synfuels Plant site via rail after traveling thousands of miles from Austria.

The vessels were lifted from the railcars and set at the urea plant construction site. One vessel was lifted each day from Dec. 6 through Dec. 8.

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NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2015 | 5

ANNUAL MEETING MOMENTS SPEAK VOLUMES Paul Sukut, Basin Electric CEO and general manager, addressed how Basin Electric has continued to serve its members by shaping the future workforce, addressing member growth, examining the Clean Power Plan and joining Southwest Power Pool in the General Manager’s Report during the meeting.

Basin Electric exists because of its members. It’s a simple reminder of the cooperative’s focus on people, working to deliver power, with one purpose – to serve those members and their communities.

People. Power. Purpose. That was the theme of Basin Electric’s 2015 Annual Meeting held at the Bismarck, ND, Event Center. It was a theme engrained in every aspect of the meeting – from the president’s message, staff presentations and special speakers, all the way to the entertainment and networking.

This past year marked a number of shifts in the way the cooperative operates. Basin Electric joined Southwest Power Pool (SPP), a regional transmission organization; changed its relationship with the Rural Utilities Service (RUS); and was dealt a mighty blow from the Environmental Protection Agency with its Clean Power Plan. Through it all, Basin Electric remains firmly grounded in its values and mission – its cooperative members.

A mix of education, collaboration and fellowship made for a historical annual meeting.

MORE THAN

A new interactive touchscreen at the meeting helped members learn about generation development throughout Basin Electric’s history. Titled “What Made Your Megawatt,” the screen features a timeline with different years as touch points. Tracie Bettenhausen (right), Basin Electric senior staff writer/editor, shows Shanel Shanahan the touchscreen.

1,000 ATTENDEES

http://bit.ly/BasinAnnualMeeting

6 | BASIN TODAY

During Basin Electric’s 2015 Annual Meeting, a panel of utility representatives that were part of the cooperative’s Clean Power Plan Town Hall helped members better understand the Environmental Protection Agency’s final rule regarding carbon emissions. The Town Hall covered challenges, next steps, timing, cost and compliance related to the final rule.

A significant part of the event included the Clean Power Plan Town Hall, which helped shed light on the expansive impacts of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) final rule for carbon emissions. The final rule, which impacts existing coal-based power plants, was published in the Federal Register Oct. 23, 2015.

Representatives from utilities from across the region presented how the rule will challenge their ability to provide reliable, costconscious power for their consumers. Many states and utilities have begun legal action on the rule, requesting a stay of the rule until further analysis and compromise can be reached.

Basin Electric’s goal is to provide safe, affordable and reliable

electricity to members at the end of the line. Regionally, EPA’s final rule is unworkable, and Basin Electric’s investments toward improving emissions aren’t being fully recognized.

“Basin Electric has a tremendous story to tell and it’s reflected in our sky-blue generation fleet – from the coal-based units that started with the spark of innovation and our hundreds of wind turbines that canvas the prairie, to our gas peaking units that were built to address load development in the Williston Basin. We operate a clean fleet and we do it safely,” said Wayne Peltier, Basin Electric board president.

For the President’s Message, Wayne Peltier addressed the strength of cooperatives.

Peltier said every step Basin Electric has taken in 2015 has been to strengthen the cooperative family. He recognized employees for their exceptional work on projects like the Southwest Power Pool integration, as well as conversations involving the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan.

In his message, Paul Sukut, Basin Electric CEO and general manager, also addressed the cooperative’s commitment to its workforce and member growth, it’s commitment to its members and the importance of developing the next generation of cooperative leaders.

When addressing the Clean Power Plan, Sukut said the rule is far worse than the proposed rule, but the cooperative is addressing the rule head on, with members’ interests at heart.

Joining Southwest Power Pool shifts Basin Electric’s focus when it comes to future power supply decisions, locations of new units, and when to dispatch certain units.

Sukut said the membership trusts Basin Electric with assets and projects, and they challenge the cooperative to operate in the most economic manner.

http://bit.ly/BasinAMTownHall

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PRESENTATIONS

http://bit.ly/BasinAMPresident

Wayne Peltier, Basin Electric board president, said Basin Electric does more than electrify communities; it empowers them through the commitment of its people.

http://bit.ly/BasinAMCEO

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2015 | 7

With its operating asset mix expanding, Basin Electric must continue to adapt, train and develop the best workforce possible to maintain operational excellence. It was a point driven home by Mike Risan, Basin Electric senior vice president of Transmission.

MORE THAN

$1,300

Senior staff provided reports on operational excellence; supporting growth and innovation; commitment to cooperative, workforce and community; and financials. They addressed the milestone events Basin Electric experienced this last year as well as the continued efforts to build for membership load growth; construction activities with regard to generation and transmission; financial status; and regulatory/legislative updates.

The membership also heard reports from U.S. Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND), U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) and U.S. Congressman Kevin Cramer (R-ND). All three shared thoughts on the energy regulatory and legislative landscape the nation is facing. http://bit.ly/BasinAMExcellence

RAISED FOR THE CO-OP CLIP PROJECT http://bit.ly/Co-opClip2015AM

Safety is paramount at Basin Electric. Bob Bartosh, Basin Electric senior vice president and COO of Dakota Coal Company and Montana Limestone Company, recognized all employees for their outstanding safety accomplishments.

Annual meeting attendees were greeted with a welcome and information from Basin Electric staff at the registration booth. Glynda Janz, Basin Electric senior administrative assistant, provides a registration packet to Basin Electric Director Gary Drost.

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

The keynote address was given by former U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgan, who served as a congressman and senator for North Dakota for 30 years before retiring in 2011. Dorgan is currently active in his postSenate life, teaching, speaking, consulting, writing and much more.

During his presentation, he addressed the issue of energy development, shared insight on the national political landscape and how he foresees it changing, and discussed how cooperatives can serve in the future. Dorgan says he knows the future will be a lower-carbon future, but the Clean Power Plan is one that has to add up and make sense.

“The fact is, we have pushed as a state and put the latest available technology on our power plants,” Dorgan said. “There are other parts of the country where on their power plants they said, ‘We don’t have to do that, we’re not going to do that.’ But we [North Dakota] did it.” http://bit.ly/BasinAMDorgan

8 | BASIN TODAY

While at the Communications & Creative Services booth Lindsey DeKrey, Basin Electric communications and media specialist, made sure members could find information on the services and resources the group provides for members.

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BOOTHS Mary Johs, Basin Electric manager of payroll, was one of many employees thanked by Paul Sukut for their years of service with the cooperative.

Representatives from Basin Electric’s member cooperatives enjoyed visiting a number of informational booths. Michael Riedman (left), Basin Electric program communications coordinator II, speaks with Dave Hayden of Southeast Electric.

In the Financial Report, Steve Johnson, Basin Electric senior vice president and chief financial officer, highlighted the cooperative’s efforts to buy out of the Rural Utilities Service (RUS).

He also talked about working with the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation, as well as CoBank on bringing added value to members through the urea project at Dakota Gas. Johnson’s presentation also touched on the cooperative’s positive credit ratings and strong financial condition. http://bit.ly/BasinAMFinancial

COUNTLESS MEMBERS RECONNECTING At this year’s banquet, many attendees stayed to enjoy the evening’s entertainment, magician Hart Keene, whose tricks sparked wonder and excited conversation among attendees during and after the performance.

Keene got the audience involved for many of his tricks, adding bits of humor at every turn. A couple of his tricks included guessing what word an employee randomly pointed to in an issue of Basin Today magazine, as well as hiding a $20 bill inside a piece of fruit.

The magician often invited Basin Electric’s camera operators to venture close to the stage, so the audience could see tricks up close on the big screen.

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2015 | 9

A STATE OF CONTINUOUS

IMPROVEMENT

By Andrea Blowers

INITIA T

ES

IES

OPPOR TUN ITI

RISKS

S RISK

OPPOR TU N ITI

10 | BASIN TODAY

OPPOR T U NI T

CO-OP PLAN

ES LU A

S RISK

IES

Operational excellence A business is rarely in a static, steady state.

There’s ups and downs and constant change. FindMaintaining and advancing a diverse fleet of ing balance hinges on employees understanding its generation assets, the fuel to run them, a robust mission and goals and striving to promote them. transmission network, and a new market environment In the case of Basin Electric, the cooperative’s takes a matrix of skilled employees. mission is serving members – neighbors, friends “Employees need to have the knowledge and and family. That kind of mission lends to a workforce skills to do their job. They also need to understand focused on making Basin Electric better. how their job fits into the big picture,” says John Employees work tirelessly to continually improve Jacobs, Basin Electric vice president of Operations. what was started by its members more than 50 “When they know their job, when they know years ago. The evidence is in the growth they work for our members, and when O P S P K O S of the cooperative, the innovative they have opportunities to grow RTU RI N foresight, the nature of its and advance their skills, they IT ES service and the commitment work more efficiently and S V to quality of life. seek ways to do their job E IV “ T h e r e’s r ar e l y better.” been a time when Basin Reevaluating and Electric or any of its improving training member cooperatives and development of hasn’t been challenged employees across the by external forces – be cooperative is a top it the EPA (Environmenpriority to continuously O S B tal Protection Agency), improving.

J E C TIVE a depressed economy, or Another is streamlinnew, yet uncertain opportuniing work processes. Every ties,” says Paul Sukut, Basin department is charged with Electric CEO and general manager. finding ways to work more effectively, “It’s the nature of the world. It’s our job to more efficiently and more thoughtfully. navigate those challenges as best we can, so we can In Operations, Transmission and Engineering and continue to improve upon what our predecessors built.”

Construction, the focus has been evaluating manual processes and working to move to electronic platforms That’s exactly what Basin Electric’s employees for maintenance of assets, work management have been focused on – promoting operational excelsystems and consistency of process and approach. lence, supporting growth and innovation, and continuing “We’re not simply adding more software to the mix,” to build on a solid commitment to the cooperative, its says Mike Risan, Basin Electric senior vice president workforce and the communities it serves.

little choice but to be cautious in its decisions. However, of Transmission. “With IS&T staff, we’ve evaluated a it can’t remain static either. software resource already in use within the cooperative.

Such a unique facility, and one tied so tightly to the It works well for our needs and will create much more world around it, will always have more curves than straight efficient processes for our work activities.” lines on its financial graphs. That doesn’t mean Dave Sauer, IS&T is working with all areas in the cooperative senior vice president and COO of Dakota Gas, and the staff to narrow software needs and combine software at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant, aren’t working every day resources. to smooth out those curves.

It can help improve operations, especially when As a certified Responsible Care® facility, the Dakota that software has been in use at the cooperative and is well understood. Scheduling Gas Synfuels Plant is required to can also help. In the Marketing set goals for continuous improveThere’s no perfect program or department, scheduling for fuel ment and has been for a number process. It simply comes down to continuand commodity transportation, of years. In less than 30 years, the ous improvement; all employees working as well as potentially offering facility has broadened the diversity collectively every day to be better than scheduling services to others, of its products 10 times over and the last.

Paul Sukut are areas the team is analyzing. continues to improve on all of them.

“Our transition into SPP For example, this last year, the (Southwest Power Pool) is still ammonia plant was evaluated by very new for Basin Electric,” an external firm. The firm advised says Ken Rutter, vice president of Marketing & Asset staff to lower the temperature in the heater to improve Management. “We continue to learn every day, and operations. “That change helped gain 6 percent greater we know there are benefits yet to be captured. We’re efficiency out of the unit and it now requires less gas to planning for those next stages.” make a single ton of ammonia,” Sauer says.

Supporting growth & innovation Because growth within the cooperative continues, even with low commodity prices, the Cooperative Planning and Finance departments are vigilant about their forecasts. In years past, the load forecast and financial forecast were completed annually. The numbers from those forecasts were then used throughout the year until the next forecast was completed.

However, the world changes too quickly. Forecasts are now completed in an ongoing cycle throughout the year. One load forecast and one financial forecast are still approved annually by the board of directors, but updates are now made consistently to ensure the latest information is available to staff and the directors.

“Our forecasts are living documents,” says Dave Raatz, vice president of Cooperative Planning. “They’re vital to ensuring we make the most prudent decisions possible for Basin Electric.”

Prudency has been the foundation of decisionmaking in all of Basin Electric, including and especially within Dakota Gasification Company. A facility tied to commodity prices and the external environment has

Commitment to cooperative, workforce & community Providing every employee with a clear understanding of Basin Electric’s expectations is critical to ensuring the work gets done. More importantly though, ensuring every employee knows who they are working for and what they are working toward is even more critical to ensuring the work is done in the most thoughtful and efficient way possible.

Over the last year, Communications and Human Resources has been vigilant in finding ways to facilitate that.

From streamlining hiring and orientation to updating and simplifying processes and policies, continuous improvement is foundationally a people initiative.

“Employees empowered with the knowledge and resources to make a difference will do just that,” says Mike Eggl, senior vice president of Communications & Administration.

“We have been opening the lines of communication with employees,” Sukut says. “There’s no perfect program or process. It simply comes down to continuous improvement; all employees working collectively every day to be better than the last.”

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2015 | 11

MEET YOUR DIRECTOR ...

TROY PRESSER

DISTRICT 3, CENTRAL POWER ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

By Tracie Bettenhausen

Basin Electric’s board welcomed a new director in November. Troy Presser of District 3, Central Power Electric Cooperative, headquartered in Minot, ND, joined the 11-member board. Each Basin Electric director is elected to a three-year term representing one of 11 membership districts.

Presser is a director at McLean Electric Cooperative headquartered in Garrison, ND. He has served on that board since 2007. In 2012, he was elected to represent his cooperative on Central Power’s board, and most recently elected to Basin Electric’s board.

He served as director and president of the North Dakota Red Angus Association 1997-2001, and director and president of the Equity Elevator and Trading Co. 2001-2005. He has served as the Medicine Hill Township supervisor since 2010.

Presser ranches near Turtle Lake, ND, running a registered Red Angus program.

Coming on as a director at Basin Electric, what was the most surprising thing you learned?

The amount of information that I need to digest for each meeting. In allocating the time for this, my family made arrangements to have our cow herd taken care of when I’m gone. I’m just starting to balance my time so I have the time to get through materials adequately so I have an understanding of topics when we get to them. I read the Basin Electric board minutes for the past several months, and even from last year, because I wanted to get a feel for where the board was before versus where they are now. Everybody, staff, the board, if I’ve had a question they have been very good about either telling me the answer or finding it for me. I’ve been very impressed with the quality of people in this organization throughout.

What inspired you to want to serve RECs? My wife Annette and I were fortunate enough to go on a tour put on by McLean Electric in the late 1990s that showed the interconnection of Basin Electric with my home cooperative and piqued my interest. McLean’s largest customer is Blue Flint Ethanol, near Underwood, ND. I was disheartened to learn they got a better deal on their electric rate than the rest of the members got, not fully comprehending the benefits that some of that created.

I ran for the board the first time and lost by a few votes. It wasn’t a lot. So I ran again and I won by a few votes this time.

One of the first things I did was tell them I wanted to increase the transparency at the co-op. I wanted to make the rate structure fair. The contract with Blue Flint Ethanol actually expired when I first got on the board. I got to be part of the negotiations. It’s not that we put the hooks to Blue Flint, but we equalized their rate so their costs were fair to the membership.

What role do you see Basin Electric playing in rural America in the next 20 years?

Nothing moves without electricity. You have gasoline, but you have to have electricity to pump it.

We’re going to face some major challenges with the Clean Power Plan and how that’s going to affect our members and our rates, but 20 years from now we will primarily still be talking about the same things, how to provide low-cost, affordable electricity to our members. I think you’re going to continue to see growth at Basin Electric, not only in electrical sales but also in membership, just because of the success of the model and the quality of the individuals that are running this operation.

When you’re not wearing your REC hat, what are you doing?

Either making hay for cows or feeding hay to cows.

Also golfing, hunting and fishing.

12 | BASIN TODAY

What is your philosophy for serving on a co-op board?

I want to treat the members as fairly as I can. I am more interested in a capital credit than a bill credit.

The capital credit is the reward for the people that built the system. They get their money back and the people we’re building it for now should be paying for it now.

We’re fun. We’re creative.

We’re here to serve COMMUNICATIONS & CREATIVE SERVICES Multimedia

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No matter your communications needs, we’re here to help. Whether it’s live event audio/video and lighting facilitation for your annual meeting; big print displays for your community event; brochures to share your co-op’s story; web or writing assistance, we’ve got a team ready to work for you.

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FOCUSED ON PEOPLE FIRST

SERVICE AND DEVELOPMENT HELPING STRENGTHEN BASIN ELECTRIC’S WORKFORCE

By Andrea Blowers The opportunity to welcome so many new employ“They are our greatest assets.” ees pushed Paul’s team to reimagine how they work Diane Paul, Basin Electric senior vice as resources for employees – how Basin Electric president of Human Resources and recruits new employees, how they bring them into the Development, is referring to the coopcooperative and retain them and how they develop and erative’s employees. “Our employees communicate with them. build, maintain and support the infraTheir efforts are paying off. “I’m pleased with how structure necessary to generate and things are progressing. We’re engaging with employees transmit electricity for our members. Together, it’s in a way we haven’t before,” she says. amazing what we have and continue It began with a commitment to accomplish.”

Our employees build, to have more consistent and clear “It’s why we work so hard to maintain and support the communication. “Employees feel employ the best in the workforce,” infrastructure necessary to more connected to an organization Paul says. “And, after we hire generate and transmit electricity for our members. Together, when they know how they fit into it. them, we want to keep them. it’s amazing what we have and An example of how we’re doing that, Human Resources recognizes that continue to accomplish.

Paul Sukut (Basin Electric’s CEO and vital role.” general manager) sends weekly email Paul says whether it’s the Diane Paul updates to all employees. And, multiple compensation or benefits the co-op times a year, he visits each of the provides or opportunities to help co-op’s facilities to talk with them in them further develop their skills, person and answer questions. That kind of commitment serving employees is the primary function of Human to helping employees feel connected is essential to our Resources. With significant transition across the ultimate goal as a cooperative – serving our members.” cooperative over the last few years with retirements Human Resources staff has also made a concerted and a large number of new employees beginning effort over the past six months to visit Basin Electric’s their careers at Basin Electric, Paul’s team has been facilities to strengthen relationships with supervisors, working to transform and zero in on what employees managers and employees. want and need.

14 | BASIN TODAY

“In addition, we’re taking a closer look at how Basin Electric is represented in our recruitment efforts,” Paul says. Her team is working to ensure the story of Basin Electric, as well as what it means to work for the cooperative, leave lasting impressions on potential employees. “Our business structure is different than other utilities – we’re not-for-profit and our focus is service to members. We want all potential employees to understand that right from the start.”

Paul says the orientation and learning Helping to grow and develop and development programs have evolved employees through enhanced learning significantly as well. There is more consistency opportunities will set a strong foundation Lynn Beiswanger, director of learning and engagement with employees from day one. for the employees and the cooperative for & development, has been working They no longer receive folders of information; with a team to implement initiatives years into the future. that information is delivered through a program that will help employees, new and Diane Paul veteran, grow and succeed in their that spans the first several months of their careers at Basin Electric. employment. It also has a greater history component. “For employees to really understand Basin Electric, they need to know what it has taken to get us to where we are today,” Paul says. “Our success Enhancing services for is founded on our history and culture.” employee well-being The team is dedicating significant effort to improvHealthy employees are essential to the ing and enhancing learning and development for all cooperative’s long-term success. Followemployees. “We’re in the process of advancing a robust ing are other ways Human Resources is program. We’re listening to employees and making every continuing to enhance service to employees. effort to provide what they’re asking for. The program will help employees become more successful in their • An on-staff physician visits all Basin current positions, build career pathways and strengthen Electric facilities on a rotational basis. succession planning.”

Dr. Kaspari sees about 400 employees There are multiple elements to learning and develon a monthly basis. Since Basin Electric opment including soft skills, continuous improvement, is self-funded, having Dr. Kaspari on staff change management, leadership training, customer saves the cooperative about $1 million annually in medical claims. service, a pre-supervisor training curriculum and mentoring programs. Other elements include a comprehensive • Basin Electric strives to serve its military apprenticeship program for facilities, implementation employees and their families as they serve the nation. Through supplementing military of a new learning management system and long-range pay for deployed employees, continuing educational opportunities. benefits, providing cell phones and laptops, “Helping to grow and develop employees through and extra leave upon return, Basin Electric enhanced learning opportunities will set a strong foundais proud to do what it can to support its tion for the employees and the cooperative for years into employee-soldiers. the future,” Paul says.

• The cooperative works to help keep the link Ultimately, Paul explains, Human Resources has between employees and its communities been striving to focus on truly being at the service of strong. Through charitable giving and employees. Through that focus, her staff is encouraged involvement opportunities, staff work to grow and enhance that community to be open and draw from our culture to broadly think connection, which speaks to the heart of about how to help fulfill employees’ needs. what working for a cooperative is about.

“We care about our employees. We want to watch them grow and succeed, and continue the cooperative’s successful model to benefit the members we serve.”

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2015 | 15

Ted Uecker, West River Health Services Foundation fund development officer; Steve Wegner, Slope Electric director; and Jen Holen, Basin Electric supervisor of community and employee engagement.

HELPING THE HEALERS BASIN ELECTRIC AND THE COOPERATIVE COMMITMENT TO HEALTH

By Tracie Bettenhausen Two scenarios. Choose one: Ted Uecker, West River Health Services Foundation 1. Your doctor decides getting an MRI is necessary. fund development officer, says having the scanner The hospital doesn’t have an MRI machine on available five days a week is important for several site. They do have a portable MRI scanner, which reasons. First, patient care. makes a stop at the hospital every Monday. The “We paid $250,000 a year for the mobile MRI scanner is located in a truck which parks outside scanner and it didn’t serve our patients very well,” he the hospital. Since this is urgent, says. “We were sending patients you get in your car and drive two out to a semi-truck for their MRI When they see we’re hours to the nearest hospital with scan. They were trudging through able to make these types of an MRI to be scanned. the snow and the ice and it was additions, they know we’re 2. Your doctor decides getting an quite disturbing, and it wasn’t really state-of-the-art and we care MRI is necessary. You walk down our way of doing business.” about what’s best for our the hall and wait 20 minutes to Uecker says the hospital is patients. have your scan done. scheduling up to eight scans a day.

Ted Uecker There’s an obvious choice here, That’s better for patients because but the second wasn’t available in they don’t need to travel as far. But Hettinger, ND, until August. West it’s also good for doctors, because River Health Services just completed a $3 million they’re able to diagnose more quickly when they can project to add an MRI scanner, build an addition to order a scan and it’s done that day. house it and upgrade the furnace.

Aaron Koenig, West River Health Services chief The hospital serves a 20,000 square-mile area. operating officer, says the addition helps recruitment

16 | BASIN TODAY

efforts for doctors and staff. “It’s difficult to recruit in Avera Cancer Institute Marshall any rural part of the country,” he says. “When they The Avera Cancer Institute Marshall in Minnesota opened see we’re able to make these types of additions, they to chemo patients at the end of 2014, and took its first radiation know we’re state-of-the-art and we care about what’s patient Jan. 28, 2015. best for our patients.”

Lyon-Lincoln Electric Cooperative, headquartered in Tyler, MN, West River Health Services capital campaign led the charge on cooperative donations, giving $25,000 over five received a boost from electric cooperatives. Slope years. East River Electric Power Cooperative, a Basin Electric Class Electric Cooperative, a Class C member of Basin A member headquartered in Madison, SD, and Basin Electric each Electric headquartered in New England, ND, applied added $12,500. CoBank, a national cooperative bank, has matched for Basin Electric’s member matching program. Slope Lyon-Lincoln Electric’s contribution to date.

Electric gave $100,000 for the project over five years, Before Avera Cancer Institute Marshall was built, some patients and Basin Electric matched that donation. traveled all day to get radiation treatments. “Now, patients can “You’re providing the electricity to do jobs and spend the night at home in their own bed,” says Gordon Crow, Avera operate homes, and we’re providing the healthcare, Marshall Foundation executive director. “Unfortunately, we have both essentials,” Uecker says. “It’s a good partnership.” confirmed six ways from Sunday that this facility was needed. …

Anthony Larson serves as director for both Slope The need was forecasted, and the year was just Electric and West River more than half complete by the time we saw as Health Services. “West Electricity doesn’t give you time but it many patients as we thought we’d see all year.”

River is truly a diamond gives you the ability to choose how you want in the rough, getting to use your time because electricity does the tremendous national work that otherwise required labor. recognition. Just recently, Steve Wegner it was identified as one of the top 20 in the country critical access hospitals.

That recognition doesn’t come easily and is a testament to the people and partnerships that make this facility what it is,” he says.

Steve Wegner, Slope Electric director, says the partnership was a natural fit. “Quality healthcare gives people more of the most precious thing we have, and that’s time. When you live in a more remote area, the time required to travel to have tests done can’t be Jamestown Regional Medical Center recovered. Having the MRI machine closer means In 2011, Jamestown Regional Medical Center opened its you can have that test done right now, right here,” doors. The facility replaced a hospital building which had been in Wegner says. “Electricity doesn’t give you time but use since 1935. it gives you the ability to choose how you want to Northern Plains Electric Cooperative, headquartered in Cando use your time because electricity does the work that and Carrington, ND, gave $50,000 toward construction. Basin otherwise required labor.

Electric matched that pledge.

“Healthcare and electric power are basic needs.

The road going into the hospital site is named Touchstone They’re also things that require community involvement Energy Boulevard. and community generosity,” Wegner says.

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2015 | 17

Groundbreaking ceremony Oct. 14 in Hazen, ND, for the Sakakawea Medical Center.

Architectural design of the hospital and emergency department entrance at Southwest Healthcare Services in Bowman, ND.

Sakakawea Medical Center

Southwest Healthcare Services

Ground was broken Oct. 14 for a hospital expansion in North Dakota’s Coal Country.

Sakakawea Medical Center, located in Hazen, ND, is constructing a new building space to connect with its basic care wing, Senior Suites. After construction, the hospital will house a new medical clinic, centralized registration area, separate entrances for emergencies, and improved patient access to ancillary services and specialized care.

Basin Electric committed $250,000 for the project.

The donation will be spread over five years, and was made with support from Basin Electric Class C member Roughrider Electric Cooperative, which has an office location in Hazen.

Sakakawea Medical Center lies in the heart of what’s known as North Dakota’s “Coal Country,” which includes Basin Electric’s Leland Olds Station located about 12 miles east of Hazen, and the cooperative’s Antelope Valley Station and Dakota Gasification Company’s Great Plains Synfuels Plant, which are about 10 miles west of Hazen.

Basin Electric has more than 1,000 employees in that area.

Slope Electric’s contributions go far beyond the gift to West River Health Services. In 2013, the cooperative gave $250,000 to Southwest Healthcare Services over five years for a new hospital co-located with their long-term care located in Bowman, ND. The donation is matched by Basin Electric.

Southwest Healthcare Services includes a 23-bed critical access hospital, a 40-bed long-term care facility, visiting nurse services, assisted and independent living apartments, a rural health clinic, occupational and physical therapy, and emergency ambulance services. Construction began on the facility in July 2015.

Becky Hansen, Southwest Healthcare CEO, said the team appreciates cooperative support. “Southwest Healthcare Services is extremely grateful for the generosity of Slope Electric and Basin Electric as we move forward with our project as it will have a significant impact for our entire community.”

CHI St. Joseph’s Health Slope Electric also gave $50,000 for the new St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Office Building in Dickinson, ND, matched by Basin Electric.

CHI St. Joseph’s Health has been open nearly one year. As Dickinson’s only hospital, the facility includes the only Level IV trauma center in an eight-county area, covering Western North Dakota and Eastern Montana.

“With the rapid growth in western North Dakota, all these requests for help with medical facilities were coming around the same time,” says LaWanna Wilhelm, Slope Electric Cooperative chief of staff/key accounts executive.

“It just makes sense for us to play a part in supporting our community’s medical needs, as the medical services are essential and greatly benefit our membership.”

18 | BASIN TODAY

Brave the Shave is back and we’ve made some exciting changes to the 2016 campaign!

Visit our new website at bravetheshave.coop for more information on how you can join in the fight against kids’ cancer.

F E AT URE SE RIES

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF … DIRECTOR

DON APPLEGATE

By Chris Gessele

Don Applegate and Basin Electric have been linked almost from the start.

As Basin Electric was bringing online its first power plant, Leland Olds Station Unit 1, Applegate was starting his first year as a board member for an electric cooperative in Iowa.

That was 1966. And neither Basin Electric nor Applegate have slowed down since.

Applegate represents Northwest Iowa Power Cooperative (NIPCO) from District 4 on the Basin Electric board of directors. Elected to the Basin Electric board in 1997, Applegate serves as chairman of the Dakota Gasification Company board, and also serves on the PrairieWinds ND 1 and PrairieWinds SD 1 boards.

Applegate, a fourth-generation farmer, lives near Oakland, IA, with his wife, LaDonna. The couple has three sons, seven grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren. Two of their sons and two of their grandchildren farm – and all of their great-grandchildren enjoy riding in the combine, Applegate says.

Applegate can’t remember life without electricity thanks to the Rural Electrification Act of 1936. And prior to that, his grandfather drew power from a Delco-Light plant stored in a shed behind their home. He does, however, remember transmission lines popping up across the local landscape in the 1950s.

Applegate recalls in 1966 when he was first elected to an electric cooperative board. He ran for election to his local school board that year and lost to the incumbent by one vote. The very next night, Nishnabotna Valley Rural Electric Cooperative, Harlan, IA, was holding its election for board of directors. His name was on the ballot – a “token name,” he recalls thinking – but he unseated the incumbent. It’s a seat he’s never vacated.

20 | BASIN TODAY

As chair of the Dakota Gas board he has witnessed Nearly 50 years later, Applegate stopped for a cup a time of expansion at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant. of coffee and some reflection during Basin Electric’s He proudly recalls wielding a spade during the plant’s annual meeting Nov. 4-5 in Bismarck, ND. carbon dioxide pipeline dedication ceremony.

“Annual meetings are very necessary,” Applegate “That pipeline was monumental,” Applegate says. “In the first place, it’s a requirement. But it’s good to get the members here. Basin Electric’s got a good says. “I’ve enjoyed all the expansion we’ve had at message to bring to the members. Maybe we don’t Dakota Gas since I’ve been chairman – not that I had tell it enough.” anything to do with it. All the credit goes to the staff.”

Applegate spent much of Applegate also cites the event visiting with fellow Basin Electric’s increase cooperative members, many in wind and natural gas I think Basin Electric will continue to who he only sees each year generation and the urea get bigger. It’s leaps and bounds ahead of at the annual event. The Clean project as being important the rest of the country. Our predecessors had a good plan. People who had been on the Power Plan Town Hall session to Basin Electric’s future. board prior to my coming on had foresight, held during the meeting stood “I think Basin Electric and it’s a good area of the country. out to him due to the enormous will continue to get bigger. challenge the Clean Power Plan It’s leaps and bounds ahead Don Applegate poses to the energy industry. of the rest of the counThe environmental regulation try,” Applegate says. “Our will force change, something predecessors had a good Applegate has witnessed in spades. plan. People who had been on the board prior to He recalls that his local co-op, Nishnabotna Valley, my coming on had foresight, and it’s a good area lost one industrial load that amounted to about 25 of the country.” percent of the cooperative’s electric load, “which was Applegate’s board service experience hasn’t very traumatic,” Applegate recalls. That reality spurred been limited to just electric cooperatives. Applegate the cooperative to delve into economic development, also served on the boards of National Rural Utilities which resulted in new industrial loads in a variety of Cooperative Finance Corporation for six years industries. Now, the cooperative’s member service load and Mid-West Electric Consumers Association in consists of more than 65 percent industrial.

Denver, CO, before he was elected the Basin Electric He also saw his local co-op’s systems endure board. He has also served on a local bank board. severe storm damage – one particular ice storm forcAfter nearly 50 years of working in the cooperaing a rebuild of about half of the system’s overhead tive world for the greater good, Applegate knows distribution lines. what it is that makes cooperatives great.

Along with challenges he has seen many “It’s the people,” he says. “There are a lot of successes. good people in the rural electric program.”

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2015 | 21

E M P L OY E E HIG HL IG H T S

RUNNING FOR THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE

Jamie Schindler, Laramie River Station control room operator, ran in the Marine Corps Marathon to raise money for the Semper Fi Fund, which supports young wounded veterans of all military branches.

22 | BASIN TODAY

Visitors to the nation’s capital log many miles on foot while sightseeing throughout the city. Jamie Schindler, control room operator at Laramie River Station, logged 26.2 miles in Washington, D.C., in less than four hours – 3 hours, 57 minutes and 39 seconds to be exact. And he did it in honor of our country’s military men and women.

On Oct. 25 he ran in the 40th Marine Corps Marathon, which took him past many of the sites people strive to see in Washington, D.C. The Marine Corps Marathon honors the dedication, sportsmanship and patriotism of the participants. It’s the largest marathon in the world that doesn’t offer prize money, earning its nickname “The People’s Marathon.”

While the marathon itself doesn’t benefit the military, Schindler ran to support the Semper Fi Fund, a non-profit that assists all post-9/11 U.S. Armed Forces who are wounded, injured or critically ill.

The Marine Corps Marathon is so popular that participants are selected through a lottery system. Schindler’s wife, who was the impetus for his participation in this marathon, was selected in the lottery. But he wasn’t. In order to run, he had to support a charity to gain entrance.

From a list of 40 charities, Schindler selected the Semper Fi Fund because he was impressed with everything the non-profit does for wounded military men and women from all branches of the military, not just the marines.

“They’re a top-rated charity due to their low overhead and their rapid response for assistance with no red tape,” Schindler says.

Schindler had to pay his race registration fee on top of his required minimum fundraising goal, which was $500.

He chose to pay the $500 himself, then decided to ask friends and family to raise as much money as possible for this worthy charity. He quickly raised more than $2,600.

Schindler and his wife have several memories from running in the Marine Corps Marathon. Following are two of Schindler’s most memorable moments.

Schindler and his wife, pictured with Marines, after running the Marine Corps Marathon.

Meeting the real deal The night before the race, Schindler and his wife attended a banquet hosted by the Semper Fi Fund., and were seated with young, disabled veterans and their wives.

The veterans were beneficiaries of the Semper Fi Fund due to their injuries while fighting in either Iraq or Afghanistan.

“They were a great bunch of guys who were all putting their lives back together with assistance from the Semper Fi Fund,” Schindler says. “They were the real deal, and it made me happy to be a part of such a worthy cause.”

During a conversation, a veteran asked Schindler about his affiliation with the Semper Fi Fund. “I could tell he thought I was a service member and I wanted to set him straight that I was simply a fundraiser,” Schindler says.

The soldier’s eyes got wide. He immediately got out of his seat and came over to Schindler to shake his hand and thank him for raising money. ”As I sat down, I thought, ‘here’s this young guy who’d been injured in the service of his country and in defense of our freedom and he’s thanking me for raising a few bucks,” Schindler says. “That is extremely humbling.”

Schindler learned from talking with the disabled veterans that our country has a large number of injured young men and women because of the war on terror. Like the disabled veterans he sat with, many of their injuries are not visible because they suffer from traumatic brain injuries from being in close proximity to explosions.

“Many American’s don’t realize the extent of their numbers, and I believe, especially out west in our small rural communities, we are somewhat insulated from a lot of this,” Schindler says. “I think more than ever there is a need for these veteran charities such as The Semper Fi Fund. The people in this country truly do owe these folks something. As these guys know all too well, freedom isn’t free.”

The Blue Mile Located from mile points 12 to 13 on the race, the Blue Mile commemorates fallen service members. Pictures of fallen service men and women line both sides of the road, and near the end of this mile a volunteer or family member of a fallen soldier holds a U.S. flag in memory of the fallen.

Schindler says the Blue Mile is a moment that will endure with him as long as he lives. “The only thing you can hear along that mile is the sound of footsteps as the runners silently pass by in solemn respect and reverence,” he recalls.

“I just removed my hat as I ran and tried to hold back the tears. That one mile without a doubt is the most memorable of the entire course for everyone. It cannot be forgotten.”

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2015 | 23

MERRY & BRIGH T Celebrating family. Sharing joy. Giving hope.

Basin Electric and its employees find ways to give back to their communities all year long, and especially during the holidays.

Through Sharing Trees at their facilities, employees provided gifts for hundreds of families across the region in need of a little extra help this year. http://bit.ly/SharingTrees2015

E M P L OY E E HIG HL IG H T S

New employees Ian Hasek began work at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Aug. 24 as a maintenance field technician. The Fairmont, MN, native has an energy technology degree from Lake Area Technical Institute, Watertown, SD, and had been working at the plant as an intern.

Jason Asbridge, process operations field technician, began work at the Great Plain Synfuels Plant Oct. 19.

The Carson, ND, native has an associate degree in power plant technology from Bismarck (ND) State College.

Asbridge previously worked at PacificCorp in Mona, UT.

Braden Hendershot, process operations field technician, started work at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Aug. 10. The Bismarck, ND, native has an associate degree in process plant technology from Bismarck (ND) State College. He previously worked at the plant as an intern.

Brock Bruner began working at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Sept. 8 as a maintenance field technician.

The Hazen, ND, native previously worked at Dakota Westmoreland Coal in Beulah, ND, as a mechanic.

Joshua Wolff, laborer, started work at Antelope Valley Station Aug. 24.

The Beulah, ND, native was previously the building supervisor at the Missouri Valley Family YMCA in Bismarck.

Wolff is a member of the Army National Guard and received a Bronze Star during his tour in Iraq. He has an associate degree in power plant technology from Bismarck (ND) State College.

Andrew Hartman began work at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Aug. 24 as a rotating equipment engineer. The Dickinson, ND, native has a mechanical engineering degree from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City, SD. Hartman previously worked as a reliability engineer in Eddyville and Fort Dodge, IA. Dylan Kinn was hired Aug. 24 as a laborer at Antelope Valley Station. A native of Max, ND, Kinn has an associate degree in process technology from Bismarck (ND) State College.

He previously worked for Industrial Builders in West Fargo, ND.

Ashley Sundquist, accounting analyst I, started work at Headquarters Sept. 8. She has a bachelor’s degree in business management from Minot (ND) State University and previously worked for Hopfauf Custom Builders as an accountant.

Bobbie Jo Sargent, started work Sept. 8 at the Pioneer Generation Station as an administrative assistant III. She previously worked for Cudd Energy Services in Williston, ND, as an administrative assistant.

Becky Hartley began working at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Oct. 19 as a process operations field technician. The Center, ND, native previously worked for Oklahoma Gas and Electric, Red Rock, OK, as an auxiliary operator.

Troy Skelton was hired Sept. 21 as a cyber security/compliance specialist at Headquarters. The Williston, ND, native was previously employed with the North Dakota Army National Guard in Bismarck, ND.

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2015 | 25

E M P L OY E E HIG HL IG H T S

New employees Chad Ternes, enterprise storage administrator, began working at Headquarters Sept. 21. He previously worked at NISC (National Information Solutions Cooperative) in Mandan, ND, as a senior technical support specialist. The Strasburg, ND, native has bachelor’s degrees in information technology and business administration from the University of Mary, Bismarck, ND.

Troy R. Johnson began work at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Aug. 10 as a protective services specialist.

The Grafton, ND, native previously worked as a crane operation for the IUOE Local #49 in Watford City, ND. Mathew Klein started work Nov. 2 at the Great Plains Synfuels Plants as a process operations field technician.

The Center, ND, native previously worked on a drilling rig in Williston, ND.

Lindsey DeKrey, communications and media specialist, started work Oct. 5 at Headquarters. She has a bachelor’s degree in public relations from the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND. She previously worked for the North Dakota Bankers Association and was an intern at Basin Electric.

John Lippert, security/alarm monitor, started Sept. 21 at Headquarters. He previously was employed at CHI St. Alexius Health in Bismarck as a safety and emergency management coordinator.

Tyrone Rounds began work at Headquarters Sept. 21 as a real time trader I. He has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Eastern Oregon University in La Grande, OR. He previously worked at Consumers Energy in Jackson, MI, as a systems controller.

26 | BASIN TODAY

Dylan Bradley, journeyman lineman, started work Sept. 21 at Transmission System Maintenance – Nebraska. He previously worked as journeyman lineman for Wheat Belt Public Power District in Sidney, NE, and is from Holyoke, CO.

Jason Maier, process engineer, began work Aug. 24 at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant. The Bismarck, ND, native previously worked for Archer Daniels Midland, Velva, ND. Maier has a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering.

Jeff Paul, maintenance field technician, began work Sept. 8 at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant. The Mandan, ND, native previously worked at Dakota Westmoreland Coal in Beulah, ND. Nick Leonardi was hired Nov. 15 as a journeyman lineman at Transmission System Maintenance – Williston. He is a native of Northern Idaho.

Jeff Suess, construction coordinator II, started work Nov. 16 at Headquarters.

He previously worked at AECOM in Florida as a senior construction coordinator. Suess has a bachelor’s degree in construction management and an associate degree in civil engineering.

Todd Pederson began work at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Nov. 2 as an electrical and instrumentation maintenance field technician. The Bismarck, ND, native previously worked for Alaska Air National Guard search and rescue in Anchorage, AK. Matt Craven, was hired Nov. 15 as a journeyman lineman at Transmission System Maintenance – Williston. He is a native of Kalispell, MT.

Harley Schumacher began work Sept. 8 at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant as a maintenance field technician. He is from Halliday, ND.

Cristi VandenBurg, process operations field technician, started work Aug. 10 at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant. The Mandan, ND, native was an intern at the Synfuels Plant and previously worked as a loan officer at Capital Credit Union in Mandan, ND.

Brian Lakoduk, journeyman lineman, started work Nov. 2 at Transmission System Maintenance – Logan. He previously worked for IBEW Local 304 in Kansas as a journeyman lineman.

John Cholensky, electrician II, started work Sept. 28 at Laramie River Station. He previously worked for Talen Energy in Colstrip, MT, as an instrumentation and controls electrician technician.

Scott Schmidt began work at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Aug. 24 as an electrical and instrumentation maintenance field technician. The Linton, ND, native previously was an intern at the plant.

Nenad Skenderovic began work Nov. 2 at Headquarters as an associate scheduler. He previously worked at Bilfinger Westcon as a financial analyst. He is a native of Subotica, Serbia.

Sasiwan Akarapanich, congestion hedging analyst, started work Oct. 26 at Headquarters. She previously worked for Weatherford International in Williston, ND as a mud logger. She has a master’s degree in applied economics from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX.

Cole Riggs, lab technician, started work Nov. 9 at Dry Fork Station. He has a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Montana State University in Bozeman, MT, and previously worked as an account manager for Halliburton.

Chris Schwarz began work Sept. 21 as an electrical and instrumentation technician I at Dry Fork Station. He previously worked as an instrument technician for Talen Energy in Colstrip, MT.

Pammie Rapp, learning and development administrator, started work Nov. 16 at Laramie River Station. The Wheatland, WY, native previously worked for the USDA Farm Service Agency as the county executive director.

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2015 | 27

Service awards

Retirees Editor’s note: Expanded retirement stories were written only for those who returned their questionnaire to Basin Today staff.

Jeff Bietz

Sandy Bieber

Mary Johs

instrument-lead

senior business intelligence architect

manager of payroll

35 years

Antelope Valley Station

35 years

35 years

Headquarters

Headquarters

Art Parker

Keith Witt

Paul Gallegos

yard equipment operator-lead

water treatment operator

water treatment operator

35 years

Laramie River Station

35 years

Laramie River Station

30 years

Laramie River Station

Mike Goddard

John Henion

Russ Mather

equipment operator

control room operator

assistant general counsel

30 years

Laramie River Station

30 years

Laramie River Station

25 years

Headquarters

Deb Salmonson

John Atterbury

Tracy Vaughn

senior tariff administrator

maintenance planner/ scheduler supervisor

shift supervisor

25 years

Headquarters

25 years

Laramie River Station

Laramie River Station

Bill Walker

Brandt Bentley

Paul Olson

mechanic/welder I

stationary equipment maintenance/welder

energy system administrator III

25 years

Laramie River Station

20 years

Montana Limestone Company

28 | BASIN TODAY

25 years

20 years

Headquarters

James Finnerty, control room operator, retired Sept. 1, after 36 years of service. Finnerty started at Laramie River Station in 1979 as a laborer. His other positions included utility operator, auxiliary equipment operator – scrubber, boiler attendant, auxiliary equipment operator – plant and plant operator.

Ricky Hansen, shift supervisor at Laramie River Station, said he liked when Finnerty worked in the control room. “Jimmy is very calm, laid back and doesn’t get excited,” Hansen said. “He did what needed to be done, calmly. And he was enjoyable to work with.”

Finnerty’s retirement plans include heading south this winter in his fifth wheel trailer to enjoy his passion of playing guitar and listening to live music.

Lanny Zeltinger, electrical and instrumentation maintenance field technician, retired from the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Aug. 29 after 30 years of service.

The Hazen, ND, native and his wife have four children and two grandchildren.

In his retirement, Zeltinger plans to travel and spend time with his family.

We will remember…

Brenda Nelson, designer III, worked with Les Les Froehlich, senior designer in during his entire career at Basin Electric – always drafting and engineering services at located one to two offices away from him – and Headquarters, passed away Nov. 2 considers him a great mentor. “He would help me after a two-and-a-half year battle with anything,” she says. “I don’t know if I’d be as with esophageal cancer. He was 61 far along as I am today (in my career) if it wasn’t for years old. him helping me.”

Les was born Dec. 14, 1953, to Anton and Anna Ryan Lang, designer III, reiterates Les’ willingness (Roshau) Froehlich in Dickinson, ND. He was raised to share information. “Les tried most of the stuff we and educated in Dickinson and Mandan, ND, graduatworked on at least once and wasn’t ing from Mandan High School. He afraid to answer questions or even received his associate degree in He reminds me of troubleshoot stuff he didn’t know very electrical technology from North a chivalrous, old fashioned well,” Lang says.

Dakota State School of Science guy, who’d open the door Manager of Drafting and Engi(Wahpeton, ND) in 1978. for you, and would take neering Systems Lynn McNulty says Les married Sheila A. Krank care of his family and Les wasn’t just a good mentor to many in 1977. Together they raised their people around him. in his division, but a great co-worker. family in Mandan. To his family, he Tiffany Bailey “He was always there to help, was an advisor, a mentor and an answer and volunteer,” McNulty says. anchor. Most of all he was a friend “He came to Basin Electric with the that could be called upon at any background of an electrician, and then to be in the time. His family filled him with pride, and he adored drafting end, he had insight into a lot more detail his children and grandchildren. than a lot of us did. He was very good at passing Les volunteered with the Big Brother Program, that information on and going into the theory of and held multiple positions with the Mandan Cub Scouts purpose of your task.” and was on the Safety Committee at Basin Electric.

Known to be a straight shooter, Les left a positive His year consisted of only two seasons: walleye impact, both personally and professionally on his fishing and pheasant hunting. He was always available co-workers, including Tiffany Bailey, engineering docuto guide the outings. He had many skills and always ment coordinator III. “He reminds used “his way” to solve life’s me of a chivalrous, old fashioned problems.

Even through his illness, guy, who’d open the door for you, He proudly worked as an he maintained his trademark and would take care of his family electrical designer at Basin Electric positive attitude and work and people around him,” Bailey says.

Power Cooperative for nearly 28 ethic. He was the quintesLes will be deeply missed by years. Throughout his battle with sential Basin Electric employee his wife Sheila, Mandan; daughters, cancer, Les continued to work until in every way, and he will be Amber (Alex) Portillo, Driscoll, ND; he began hospice care. sorely missed.

Jordan (David) Russell, Ankeny, IA; Engineering Services DirecGavin McCollam and Schuyler Froehlich, Chicago, IL; tor Gavin McCollam says Basin son, Nathaniel Froehlich, Fargo, ND; Electric lost a quality guy, “one of and seven grandchildren: Taelan, the best. Even through his illness, Silas, Annastyn and Marley Russell; and Ysabel, Sofia he maintained his trademark positive attitude and and Elise Portillo. work ethic. He was the quintessential Basin Electric employee in every way, and he will be sorely missed,” McCollam says.

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2015 | 29

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