Electrical Association

Community News

Sympathy

Our sympathy goes to the family of Celestine (Sally) Zinniel, 87, of Sleepy Eye who passed away on Thursday, October 8, 2009. Zinniel Electric has been part of the MEA family for 27 years and our thoughts are with her son, Clete and his wife Jan along with grandson Tim Zinniel as they grieve her loss.

Congratulations

Congratulations... IT'S A BOY!!! Evan Antonio Maset was born on October 28 at 7:25pm at 9 pounds and 3 ounces. Seen with grandparents Everette and Phyllis DeCramer of Valley View Electric (a 33-year member of MEA) in New Ulm—this is one little boy whose life will be filled with toys, fun, and lots of love! Rumor has it that Evan's personalized Rolle Bolle has been ordered by Grandpa.

Congratulations to Al Annexstad of Federated Insurance... The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans announced that Albert Annexstad, chairman of Federated Insurance Companies, will receive the 2010 Horatio Alger Award in recognition of his personal and professional success despite humble and challenging beginnings. Past recipients include President Ronald Reagan, Clarence Thomas, Hank Aaron, Colin Powell, and Oprah Winfrey to name a few. Mr. Annexstad will join fellow recipients, Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of State, and Tommy Franks, former Commander-in-Chief, US Central Command, among others. Annexstad will be formally inducted into the association when he accepts the Horatio Alger Award on April 9, 2010, in Washington, DC. The youngest of four children, Annexstad was born on a small dairy farm near St. Peter, Minnesota, in 1940. When he was 5 years old, his father died unexpectedly. His mother's sacrifice and fortitude to raise the family alone made a lasting impression on him. Annexstad attended public schools and worked in his off hours to help his mother with expenses. He worked his way through Minnesota State University with multiple jobs, and in his senior year began his 45-year career with Federated Insurance as a sales representative in his hometown of St Peter. Within three years, he was promoted to district marketing manager.

Congratulations to Jeffry Slimmer... On his appointment to the Board of Electricity. Slimmer, of St. Michael, has been the electrical inspector for the city of Maple Grove since 1987, where he inspects commercial, industrial and residential electrical work. He has also owned the Minnesota School of Electricity since 2002, where he teaches electrical training and continuing electrical education classes. Slimmer also serves on the advisory board for construction electrician classes at Anoka-Hennepin Technical College.

Border States Electric Named 3M Renewable Energy Distributor... Border States Electric (BSE) is an authorized distributor for 3M's newly formed Renewable Energy Division. Border States now offers the most comprehensive line of 3M products and services to the renewable energy industry. As a 3M Renewable Energy distributor, BSE has access to products and solutions that can enhance wind turbine reliability and efficiency such as films, tapes, coatings, and adhesives. In addition, BSE can offer a broad range of solutions and technical expertise for solar energy, geothermal, and biofuels projects.

Border States Electric (BSE) commemorates its 25th Anniversary of employee-ownership... by hosting an Open House at its corporate headquarters on October 22. Special guests included Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker and Moorhead, Minnesota, Mayor Mark Voxland). On April 1, 1984, BSE established the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) to transfer company stock from a majority shareholder to the employees and to maintain private ownership of the company. In 2000, BSE became 100% ESOP-owned. The employee-owned company has approximately 1,250 employees and 57 branch operations in 13 states and Mexico.

Dakota Supply Group Promotes Paul Mund To Corporate Pricing Manager... Paul Mund has been promoted to Corporate Pricing Manager at Dakota Supply Group (DSG). Mund will collaborate with DSG management and sales staff to analyze market trends, develop strategic and tactical price plans, and drive accountability in attaining corporate profitability goals. Mund works out of DSG's Fargo, North Dakota, headquarters. Mund started with DSG in 1996. He became Utility Group manager in 2001 and worked with DSG's utility customers until this promotion. He has a BS in engineering and an MBA from North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND, and is a member of the Professional Pricing Society.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Special thanks to Federated Insurance and Bill Daly and Gary Menke. Thanks so much for the treasure trove of 22 Safety CDs. We will be adding them to the MEA library and helping a lot of electricians work even more safely.

Thank you to our Winter Conference Sponsors...
• Allen-Bradley, Jim Lasota
• Federated Insurance, Bill Daly
• Musco Sports Lighting, Craig Gallup
• Seaton, Beck and Peters, Doug Seaton and
Jon Olson
• Werner Electric, Tim Geise and Deb Ricci
• Jill Swanson, image consultant

Education & Meetings

Dakota Supply Group (DSG) Invites Contractors And Business Professionals To Attend Its Better Business Boot Camp... DSG presents its Better Business Boot Camp at the Holiday Inn in St. Cloud, Minnesota, on January 26-28, 2010. Featuring three days of intensive business training, the Better Business Boot Camp will increase profitability for business owners, managers and those thinking about going into business. This training includes presentations, workshops and round-table discussions. There is a special focus on strategies and tools for electrical and HVAC contractors. Attendees can register at any DSG location or online at dakotasupplygroup.com. DSG will also hold events in Aberdeen, SD on February 9-11 and in Bismarck, ND on February 23-25. For more information, please contact: Arne Breikjern (651) 602-3802.

Other

Follow MEA on Twitter... Go to www.twitter.com/MNElectricAssn and start following MEA on Twitter.

Werner Electric Supply's Wood Duck Challenge featured in the July 31 Outdoor News Magazine... Conservationists of all ages came together to build 60 wood duck houses. The Werner Electric Supply of Cottage Grove and Rochester held the Wood Duck Challenge on April 18. The event was sponsored by Philips Lighting and Klein Tools.