— Submitted photo. Paul Skartvedt.

BOONE — According to a recent news release, Midland Power Cooperative welcomed a new director during their annual meeting, held on June 29 in Jefferson. Midland Power members in district four elected Paul Skartvedt to the board.

Skartvedt, who resides in Hamilton County between Radcliffe and Ellsworth, will fill the seat vacated by Jack Runge, who was retiring from the board before his passing in May.

Skartvedt was born and raised in the Radcliffe area, and is a graduate of Hubbard-Radcliffe High School before graduating from Iowa State with a degree in agriculture studies.

Paul also serves on the South Hamilton School Foundation board, the Hardin County Youth 4-H advisory board, the Hardin County Cattlemen board of directors and has been a Midland Power Cooperative member since 2020.

This year’s election also saw three incumbents reelected to the board. District one incumbent Paul Heineman, district two incumbent Doug Robey, and district three incumbent Michael Coleman all retained their board seats.

Following the annual meeting, the board of directors met for their organizational meeting, selecting officers for the year.

Mike Coleman, district 3, will continue to serve as president. Rick Thompson, district 3, will continue to serve as vice-president.

Randy Christensen, district 1, will continue to serve as secretary. Kim Rinker, district 1, will continue to serve as treasurer.

Joel Skow, district 3, will continue to serve as assistant secretary and assistant treasurer.

“Democratic member control is one the seven cooperative principles,” said Bill McKim, Midland Power CEO. “As a member-owned electric cooperative, our members play an important role in helping set the co-op’s direction.”

“We rely on members to elect directors to represent them and determine the co-op’s policies and priorities,” McKim added. “We thank the more than 1,500 members who cast a ballot in this year’s board election for making their voices heard.”

Midland Power Cooperative’s board is composed of 12 directors, three from each of the co-op’s four districts. Directors serve three-year terms.

For more information on the Midland Power Cooperative board of directors, visit MidlandPower.coop/Board.