Runestone Electric Association (REA) District Meetings were held on February 10, 11 and 12 to nominate candidates to the REA Board of Directors.
Nomination results include:
District 3 – Jon Winter (Incumbent), Hoffman, representing Aastad, Darnen, Delaware, Donnelly, Eagle Lake, Elbow Lake, Elk Lake, Erdahl, Evansville, Framnas, Gorton, Hodges, Land, Lien, Logan, Lund, Macsville, Pelican Lake, Pomme De Terre, Rendsville, Roseville, Sanford, Stoney Brook, St. Olaf, Swan Lake, and Tumili Townships in Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail and Stevens County.
District 6 – Joel Seela (Incumbent), Nelson, representing Alexandria, Belle River, Gordon, Leslie, Osakis, and Reynolds Townships in Douglas and Todd County.
District 7 – Matthew Mattson (Incumbent), Kensington, representing Ashley, Barsness, Ben Wade, Blue Mounds, Chippewa Falls, Glenwood, Grove Lake, Leven, Minnewaska, New Prairie, Nora, Orange, Reno, Walden, Westport, and White Bear Lake in Douglas, Pope and Stearns County.
Members can also be nominated by petition (15 member signatures required) up to 15 days following the District Meeting. Qualified candidates are placed on the ballot for that district.
“I’ve said this before, and it continues for the foreseeable future that electricity prices are on the rise and we must be vigilant that there’s an adequate supply along with a transmission system that can move the power,” said REA CEO Al Haman. “The board and staff at REA will strive to make the best decisions possible for our members and the entire region.” CEO Haman then answered questions from the members.
Results of the director’s election will be announced at the REA Annual Meeting on April 22, 2026, at Alexandria Area High School’s Performing Arts Center. REA members will receive annual meeting materials at the beginning of April. For more information, please contact REA at (800) 473- 1722.
Al Haman, CEO, provides cooperative updates during the District 3 meeting at the Hoffman Community Center.
Dave Staples, Board Secretary and District 4 Director, presents the notice of meeting and reviews the previous meeting minutes during the District 6 meeting at the Osakis Community Center.
Matthew Mattson, incumbent District 7 Director, thanks members for attending the District 7 meeting at the Starbuck Community Center.
District Meeting Details:
District Three Meeting
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Hoffman Community Center
127 Main Ave, Hoffman
5:30 p.m. Light Meal
6:00 p.m. Meeting
District Six Meeting
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Osakis Community Center
14 E Nokomis St., Osakis
5:30 p.m. Light Meal
6:00 p.m. Meeting
District Seven Meeting
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Starbuck Community Center
307 E 5th St., Starbuck
5:30 p.m. Light Meal
6:00 p.m. Meeting
What is required to be a REA Director?
REA Bylaws Article III, Section 7. Director Qualifications.
No person shall be eligible to become or remain a director of the Cooperative who:
(a) is not a bona fide member of the Cooperative receiving electric service from the Cooperative in the district that the director represents or would represent if elected;
(b) is not a bona fide resident of the district from which he or she is elected or for which he or she is a candidate; (bona fide resident shall be defined as occupying and continuously and materially purchasing electric service at a location within any director district from which the director is elected or for which he or she is a candidate for at least nine (9) months each calendar year);
(c) is in any way employed by or substantially financially interested in an enterprise substantially competing with the Cooperative or any Cooperative-affiliated business;
(d) within five (5) years preceding a director candidate’s nomination was or during service on the Board of Directors is adjudged to be guilty of a felony;
(e) within five (5) years preceding a director candidate’s nomination was a full-time employee of the Cooperative;
(f) within five (5) years preceding a director candidate’s nomination was an employee of a statewide association of electric cooperatives, an electric generation and transmission cooperative, or any other entity in which an electric cooperative is a member.
(g) within five (5) years preceding a director candidate’s nomination or during his or her term if elected was or becomes employed by a labor union which represents, has represented, or has endeavored to represent any employee of the cooperative;
(h) is a close relative* of an incumbent who is not up for reelection at that time;
(i) is a close relative* of an employee of the Cooperative;
(j) is or becomes the full-time employee or agent or, who is or becomes the full-time employer or principal of, another director;
(k) does not have the capacity to enter legally binding contracts;
(l) is absent from three or more regular meetings (“Unexcused Absences”) of the Board of Directors during any consecutive twelve month period, unless excused for good cause (an “Excused Absence”) by the Board. If a director participates in more than one regular meeting during any consecutive twelve month period by electronic communication, that director shall be considered absent from that meeting for purposes of determining the number of the director’s Unexcused Absences, unless the attendance by electronic communication is approved for good cause by the Board.
*A “close relative” is a person who is by blood, law, or marriage (including half, step, foster, and adoptive relations) a child, grandchild, parent, grandparent, or sibling); or is a spouse or resides in the same residence.
A member that is an authorized farm corporation or family farm corporation may select an individual member residing on or actively operating the farm to be eligible for election to the board.