Gerald Klemme and Brian Kading in front of the Iowa State Capitol building This statement could mean many things to different people. But, for Iowa's electric cooperatives, focus is synonymous with energy. It defines who we are and where we're going. It's the foundation upon which electric cooperatives were established in Iowa. Seventy-five years ago, through the creation of electric cooperatives, a determined group of people focused their energy on one mission - to light up the rural landscape of Iowa. Focus meant harnessing the skills, vision and passion of cooperation. It meant bridging the gap between miles of land and bringing power to people on farms, homes and business. It meant energy, growth and a future filled with promise.

Today, that same focused energy remains a pivotal element in way Iowa's electric cooperatives do business. We're focused on the cooperative difference - member equity, input and value. Focused on initiatives that bring stability and vitality to the communities we serve. Focused on relationships, which enable us to fulfill on our core mission - providing power that is safe, reliable, environmentally responsible and affordable. Focused on communicating the cooperative difference to member-consumers and other key audiences. For Iowa's electric cooperatives, focus keeps our sights set on being more than just energy providers. We're integral parts of the communities we live in and serve. And, because we're owned by the very members we serve, it gives us local control. For cooperatives, this local control translates into an asset for our member-owners and communities that extends far beyond the dollars and cents of doing business. It means we're focused on meeting their unique needs through energy solutions. For decades, Iowa's electric cooperatives have been focused on educating, encouraging and assisting member-consumers on energy efficiency matters. As we see more emphasis placed on this topic on a state and national level, we're proud of the fact cooperatives have given this issue prominence for so many years. Our focus motivates us to extend our energy beyond what's obvious and into what's possible. We know that it takes energy to turn a long-term focus into progressive action today. That's where cooperative directors and employees come in - focused on the proven strengths of the cooperative way of doing business and delivering value to the members we serve. Iowa's electric cooperatives ... energy in focus.