Connexus Energy hosted their annual meeting April 18 at their headquarters in Ramsey. Most members participated in person while others watched the live stream on Connexus’ Facebook page.

An election was also held with one area resident departing the board and one being added.

This was new CEO Sidney Jackson’s first time speaking to members at an annual meeting. He shared that 2023 was “a year that we should celebrate; driven by the exceptional operational and fiscal performance of Connexus.”

Board Chair Fran Bator’s message to members included the news that Connexus expects to continue to perform in the top 5% of all utilities nationwide for electric system service reliability, with 2023 being the best year ever. “We act in service to members with transparency and communication because it’s the right thing to do,” said Bator.

Election results

Board elections were held in District 1, District 3, and District 4.

In District 1, incumbent Mark Ethen and Sam Villella were elected to the board. In District 3, incumbent Fran Bator was re-elected to the board. In District 4, Angie Ronayne was elected to the board. In addition, the two bylaw amendments were passed by the membership.

Due to the retirement of Ken Fiereck (Dist. 4), the Connexus Energy Board of Directors affirmed the director appointment of Joe Gruenes at an organizational meeting that followed the annual meeting. Gruenes begins serving the remaining one-year of Fiereck’s term immediately. 

Gruenes resides in Clear Lake, MN, and has been a Connexus Energy member for 25 years. He has a strong background in business management, budgeting and statistical analysis.

The 2024 directors also elected their officers at the organizational meeting. Those results are:

Chair – Fran Bator; Vice Chair – Mark Ethen; Secretary/Treasurer – Shelly Peterson; Assistant Secretary/Treasurer – Mike Thews.