Press Release

As IAEC moves forward with our new policy & advocacy department, we are pleased to announce that Haley Moon has accepted the senior manager of policy & advocacy position. Her start date is scheduled for October 21.

Moon will be a familar face to IAEC staff and members; she previously served as IAEC's advocacy and political action manager from 2017 to 2022. Most recently, Moon has been serving as assistant director of federal relations in the office of the president at Iowa State University. She will report to Ethan Hohenadel, IAEC director of policy & advocacy, and supervise the manager of policy & advocacy.

Hurricane Helene knocked out power to an estimated 1.25 million co-op members located in the Southeast last week. A Category 4 storm, Helene has proven to be one of the most destructive hurricanes for electric cooperatives. The Carolinas were hit particularly hard, and IAEC Director of Safefy Scott Meinecke checked in with his South Carolina statewide contact to offer assistance from Iowa's electric cooperatives.

Governor Kim Reynolds recently signed a proclamation declaring October as “Co-Op Month in Iowa.” The Proclamation, available to download below, highlights several key points: 

• Concern for the community is a fundamental cooperative principle
• Cooperatives invest significant human and financial resources to benefit their communities beyond their core business activities. This includes charitable contributions that address the needs of underserved groups, investments in community development that create jobs and services, involvement in environmental protection efforts, and innovative projects aimed at improving child health, welfare, and quality education.
• The commitment of cooperatives to their communities boosts economic opportunities and enhances the quality of life in towns and cities across Iowa.
• In October, cooperatives from various sectors and industries reaffirmed their dedication by pledging to remain actively involved in the communities where their members live and work.

The week of Sept. 23, more than 20 Iowa electric cooperative advocates flew to Washington, D.C., to meet with members of the Iowa Congressional Delegation during IAEC's Legislative Fall Fly In. 

“Going to our nation’s capital is a valuable opportunity for our Iowa Rural Power grassroots efforts to shine. Iowa’s electric cooperatives care deeply about the member-owners and communities we serve and it’s important to meet with elected officials to discuss issues that affect our ability to provide reliable and affordable power,” remarked Leslie Kaufman, executive vice president of IAEC.

The group of electric co-op directors, managers and senior staff talked with all members of Iowa's Congressional Delegation, including Senator Ernst, Senator Grassley, Congressman Feenstra, Congresswoman Hinson (pictured), Congresswoman Miller-Meeks and Congressman Nunn.

In June, 14 electric cooperative linemen from Iowa and Minnesota teamed up to complete a rural electrification project in rural Guatemala made available through NRECA International, which is affiliated with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). Since 1962, NRECA International has brought electricity to more than 220 million people throughout Africa, Asia and Latin America. The Guatemala project was coordinated by the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives (IAEC) and the Minnesota Rural Electric Association.

The electric co-op linemen (7 from Iowa and 7 from Minnesota) were selected from volunteers to journey to the small village of Las Peñas in southeastern Guatemala with the mission to build primary and secondary electric distribution infrastructure and wire more than 30 homes with electric outlets and light sockets. Mountainous terrain at an elevation of 6,000 feet above sea level, rainy conditions and a lack of modern equipment made the two-week project challenging at times. 

After an extensive executive search, the Board of the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives (IAEC) is pleased to announce Leslie Kaufman of Topeka, Kansas, as the association’s next executive vice president and general manager.

“Leslie is a visionary leader and seasoned executive,” said Kenny VandenBerg, IAEC board president. “She brings a unique combination of skills and experience to lead the association into a new era.”

Kaufman will start on July 29 as IAEC’s current EVP/GM Chuck Soderberg retires on August 1 after an impressive electric cooperative career spanning 45 years. “I am extremely honored by the confidence the Board has placed in me to continue advancing IAEC’s mission and vision,” remarked Kaufman.

As part of our cooperative commitment to advocacy, Iowa’s electric cooperatives regularly coordinate meetings with state and federal legislators through the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives (IAEC). The week of April 22, approximately 20 electric co-op representatives traveled to Washington, D.C., to talk with federal legislative staffers.

“Going to D.C. is a valuable opportunity for our Iowa Rural Power grassroots efforts to shine. Iowa’s electric cooperatives care deeply about the member-owners and communities we serve and it’s important to meet with legislative staff to discuss issues that affect our ability to provide reliable and affordable power,” remarked Chuck Soderberg, executive vice president of IAEC.

The sun was shining on more than 200 employees and elected directors from Iowa’s locally owned rural electric cooperatives (RECs) as they convened at the Iowa Capitol on March 12 to advocate for important issues during the annual “REC Day on the Hill” event.

“Our annual advocacy day at the capitol is a powerful opportunity to meet face-to-face with our state legislators and share a local perspective on issues that impact rural Iowans and rural economic development,” remarked Chuck Soderberg, executive vice president and general manager for the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives (IAEC).

Advocates asked elected officials to ensure reliable electric service for Iowans by supporting an “all-of-the-above” electric generation strategy. Specifically, Iowa’s electric cooperatives believe it’s time to update the state’s 2001 advanced ratemaking principles (ARPs) to stipulate an all-of-the-above approach and include nuclear and energy storage technologies.

The Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives (IAEC), the trade association for Iowa’s electric cooperatives, conducted its 2023 Annual Meeting at the Sheraton West Des Moines Conference Center on December 7 and 8 with more than 350 registered attendees. Board directors and employees from Iowa’s locally owned electric co-ops received informative updates from statewide board and staff in addition to learning about industry trends and best practices from invited speakers.

“Our theme of Powerful Connections explains one of the valuable services that a statewide association provides for its members,” remarked outgoing IAEC Board President Roger Solomonson of Heartland Power Cooperative. "For example, IAEC forms connections through lobbying efforts, our statewide magazine, social media, youth leaderships programs and training events for employees and directors of Iowa’s electric cooperatives.”

IAEC Executive Vice President and General Manager Chuck Soderberg covered several topics during his executive report including cybersecurity resources available to member co-ops and the importance of embracing an “all-of-the-above” power generation strategy to ensure reliability for member-consumers. This was Soderberg’s final annual meeting report as he plans to retire from IAEC in July 2024.

The following guest column appeared in the Cedar Rapids Gazette on October 7, 2023, in celebration of Iowa Co-op Month.

Dave Holm is executive director of the Iowa Institute for Cooperatives. Chuck Soderberg is executive vice president and general manager of the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives. Murray Williams is president and CEO of the Iowa Credit Union League.

Iowa is known for its sprawling fields, tight-knit communities and a spirit of collaboration that has long been a hallmark of its success. While often associated with agriculture and its iconic cornfields, the state boasts a different kind of growth story — one driven by cooperatives.

Many Iowans associate cooperatives with agriculture; however, co-ops also include rural electric service, credit unions, rural telephone, farm credit, petroleum and more. Co-ops are organizations owned and democratically controlled by their members. In fact, nearly one out of every two Iowans is a member of a cooperative.

Agriculture is often intertwined with cooperative principles. From farm and grain supply cooperatives providing farmers with resources and equipment to cooperatives specializing in agribusiness and food production, co-ops empower farmers with collective bargaining power, access to essential resources and sustainable farming practices that ensure both economic viability and environmental stewardship.

Cooperatives also play a pivotal role in keeping rural communities vibrant and alive. Rural cooperatives extend essential services such as energy, financial services, connectivity and health care to regions that might otherwise be overlooked. Collectively, Iowa cooperatives pay more than $75 million in property taxes to Iowa communities each year.