There are three districts in MVEC’s service area, determined by population. Annually, there is one director seat open in each of the three districts. In District 1, the candidates are Brent Lawrence and Barbara Marschall. In District 3, the candidates are Fran Barten and Terese Gulstad. In District 2, Michelle Morrison is running unopposed.
District I
Brent A. Lawrence (incumbent)
Credit River Township
- Years as MVEC member: 31
- Spouse: Deborah
- Occupation: I am President of Lawrence Auctioneering, a business specializing in raising money for not-for-profit organizations. Before that, I spent 23 years at a Fortune 500 corporation, managing sales and marketing teams.
- Education: Minnesota State University, Mankato. While working in the publishing industry, I graduated from a corporate leadership development program.
- Community Involvement: I serve on the Credit River Township board. As a professional auctioneer, I give back to the community by providing auction services for local worthy causes.
- Goal as a Director: Continue to provide safe and reliable service at the lowest rate possible and increase our distribution of renewable energy.
- Recently, MVEC received an ACSI (American Customer Satisfaction Index) score of 91. Comparatively, the Investor-Owned Utilities industry scored 73 (2019 ACSI Report). Our employees provide exceptional customer service.
- Our MVEC general rate has not increased since 2016 and our average rate is currently 10% below Xcel Energy.
- Our Energy Wise programs help members save on their electric bills, and collectively save on MVEC’s wholesale power costs. A recently signed wind contract moves us to our goal of 20% renewable energy in 2020.
- I have earned the NRECA Leadership and Director Gold Certifications. You have my guarantee that I will continue to represent the best interests of our member-owners. It is an honor to serve you. Thank you for your vote.
- Brent Lawrence Campaign Contributions Report
Barbara Marschall
Prior Lake
- Years as MVEC member: 40+
- Spouse: Gary Marschall
- Occupation, Education and Community Involvement:
- 20 years Scott County commissioner;
- 29 years corporate, public, and non-profit management;
- Real estate title examiner;
- Classroom teacher
- I have served on a variety of local, regional, and state policy boards and committees, including Metropolitan Emergency Services Board, Association of Minnesota Counties and Minnesota Department of Health.
- Education: Metropolitan State University: BS Business Administration; Public Services Management; Human Resource Management
Community Involvement: Chamber of Commerce; Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Military Support Group; Dollars for Scholars; Rotary Club; Friends of the Library; PLAY (youth sports) coach/coordinator; Volunteer/lay minister Church of St. Michael Prior Lake - Goal as a Director: As a county commissioner and member of various policy boards, I have gained the knowledge and experience needed to accurately assess the resources and budget of an organization in order to best serve its members. Our electric grid is a critical part of our nation’s infrastructure and economy. Cyber security is vital not only to our businesses, but also to our personal lives. My goal as a Director is to ensure that MVEC members have reliable, efficient, and cost effective electric power, conservative and reasonable operating costs, and prompt, responsive customer service which is always my top priority.
- Barbara Marschall Campaign Contributions Report
District III
Fran Barten (incumbent)
New Prague
- Years as MVEC member: 52
- Spouse: Roman (deceased)
- Occupation: Owner of a family agritourism business, Barten Pumpkins, in rural New Prague. I am most engaged in marketing, safety on the farm, and education.
- Community Involvement: Minnesota Farm Bureau, Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable Growers, New Prague Chamber of Commerce, Scott County Agricultural Society. I dedicate my volunteer life to Church as current member of capital campaign committee and collections for the poor. Other passions are fundraising for sick children, and 4-H program.
- Goal as a Director:
- 1. Partnering with MVEC leadership and staff to reduce lengths of power outages, working to keep electricity affordable by not increasing your rates, and advocating for programs that conserve energy and save you money.
- 2. Continue my commitment to attend seminars, listen and learn, to bring “best practices” to the MVEC Board.
- 3. Continue on board committees concerning distribution of unclaimed capital credits and policies and bylaws.
- We, the members, are fortunate to have leadership and staff who work closely with the board that we stay current in all energy issues, local, nationally and international, that face cooperatives in this rapidly changing world. Thank you for trusting me to represent you the past 8 years. I take that very seriously. It would be a privilege to be your voice for another term, on this journey into the future.
- Fran Barten Campaign Contributions Report
Terese (Terri) Gulstad
Prior Lake
- Years as MVEC member: 19
- Occupation, education, community involvement and hobbies:
- After 19 years, I retired from the Scott County Community Development Agency (CDA) in August 2018 as their Finance Director. Upon retiring, the Executive Director encouraged me to apply for the position of CDA Commissioner and sit on the board. Scott County commissioners appointed me to the position and my five-year term began in January 2019. It’s been a great fit and so enjoyable.
- Since graduating with a BA in Accounting from the College of St. Benedict, I have had a variety of accounting jobs in many different capacities and industries.
- During the past year, I have completed several assignments through Robert Half Accountemps. I have enjoyed learning about various new industries and new technology, as well as meeting great people along the way.
- Having more free time, I have rekindled my love of books and playing the piano, In the past year, I have also been lucky enough to have traveled quite often with family and friends, domestically and abroad.
- Goal as a Director: To learn as much as possible about electric cooperatives and utilize my financial accounting background to contribute positively to the mission of the MVEC and work collaboratively with the other directors and the CEO.
- Terese Gulstad Campaign Contributions Report
District II – incumbent is unopposed
Michelle Morrison (incumbent)
Belle Plaine
Years as MVEC member: 27
Spouse: Terry
Occupation, Education and Community Involvement:
20-year member of the MVEC Board of Directors, Past President and current Secretary of the Board. Member of MN Rural Electric Association and National Rural Electric Association, where I earned my Board Leadership Certificate and Credentialed Cooperative Director designation. Past President and served on Belle Plaine School Board for 13 years. Degree from St. Thomas University in Business – Finance. 20-year career in Mortgage Loan Servicing, Accountant at Sibley County and Clerk for City of Cologne. Actively participate in operation of a Century Family Farm in Faxon Township where we raise Shorthorn Beef Cattle and run 600 Acres of Crop Land.
Goal as a Director: Continue to provide the most reliable and low-cost electricity to our membership while maintaining a financially strong coop.
Michelle Morrison Campaign Contributions Report
