Our board of directors has selected a new CEO. We received a total of 47 applications from 16 states.

The board narrowed the field down to six and interviewed those six people. The interviews took place on July 19 and July 22. The board then spent the day on July 23 evaluating the six candidates. The board members have been very thorough and have done their due diligence. We appreciate their commitment to this process. We would also like to thank Mary Lund from Dairyland Power Co-operative for her help.

Our new CEO is Michael Wade. Mike has been in the electric cooperative industry since 1989 and is cur-

rently serving as the manager of corporate administration for Medina Electric Cooperative in Hondo, Texas, where he has been employed since 2006. Mike began his role as a manager in 1997 at Rio Grande Electric Cooperative where he was director of technical services. Mike is a graduate of Texas Tech Univer-sity with a bachelor of arts degree in mathematics.

The cooperative that Mike comes from is headquar-tered in Hondo, Texas, which is about 40 miles west of San Antonio. It is a cooperative that is considerably larger than ours. They have 30,750 meters. We have 8,350 me-ters. They have 9,132 miles of electric distribution line. We have 1,422 miles. They have fewer meters per mile of line than we do. They serve 17 counties. We serve parts of four.

Mike and his family are in the process of moving to Wisconsin. He hopes to begin his duties here at CWEC in early September. We all look forward to working with Mike and welcome him and his family to the great state of Wisconsin. We were a little concerned at first thinking he might be a Dallas Cowboys fan. I found out that he is not. What a relief. We’ll work on making him a Packer fan. If you have the opportunity, stop in and welcome Mike to Wisconsin.

4 • Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News

From Here to There

By Cass Reynolds, Interim CEOCentral Wisconsin Electric Cooperative will be

closed on Monday, September 2, 2013, in recogni-tion of Labor Day. Regular business will resume on Tuesday, September 3. From everyone at CWEC, we wish you a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend!

Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative wants to remind customers to be wary of scam phone calls. Al-

liant Energy is reporting complaints similar to those received in winter and spring continuing into the sum-mer. Customers report receiving phone calls that threaten electric service disconnection and ask them to purchase a prepaid card, which is similar to a scam that has been occurring locally and nationally.

Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative does not ask customers to purchase prepaid credit cards and/or make immediate cash payments over the phone. This scam ap-pears to target Spanish-speaking customers.

If someone calls claiming they represent Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative and demands immedi-ate payment or personal information, hang up and call CWEC. Do not give in to a high-pressure caller seeking personal information. We have several secure and conve-nient payment options listed at www.cwecoop.com.

Beware that scammers can spoof caller-ID displays, which means that they can mask the call’s true origin and make it appear as if the call is coming from a utility company.

Do not provide your Social Security number, credit card numbers, or bank account information to anyone who requests that information during unsolicited phone calls or an unannounced visit.

Customers should report attempted scams to local law enforcement and the Wisconsin Department of Agri-culture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

Scam Phone Calls to Utility Customers Continue

Michael Wade

Callers Threaten Service Disconnection, Target Customers with Hispanic Surnames

Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative • 5

Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative is proud to announce that it has awarded $18,450 in scholarships

to these outstanding students. CWEC is committed to helping our young members continue their education after high school. Scholarship monies come from the Opera-tion Roundup program, which is funded by our members. We thank our members who participate in this program; to date, over $280,000 of Operation Roundup funds have been paid to charitable and educational purposes.

First-time Scholarship WinnersKiedra Ahlswede, Iola, daughter of Kevin Ahlswede, Debra Loken and David

Loken, Northeast Technical College and Theda Clark School of Radiology, radiographerRenae Bembenek, Wittenberg, daughter of Brain and Carol Sorge, Northcentral

Technical College, veterinary scienceMichael Blum, Iola, son of Greg and Kathryn Blum, UW–La Crosse, business

administrationHannah Bonikowske, Iola, daughter of John and Michelle Bonikowske, Marquette

University, biomedical sciencesSkylar Cameron, Birnamwood, daughter of Steven and Rebecca Cameron,

UW–La Crosse, business managementLindsey Cherek, Iola, daughter of Neil and Jackie Cherek, UW–Stout, apparel

designApril Disher, Rosholt, daughter of Jeffrey and Kelly Disher, Mid-State Technical

College/UW–Stevens Point, elementary educationMatt Ellie, Iola, son of Greg and Mary Ellie, Mid-State Technical College, computer

programmingJohn Faldet, Iola, son of Bruce and Kristine Faldet, UW–Madison, business and

agricultural management Jacob Firkus, Stevens Point, son of Wayne and Penny Firkus, Northcentral

Technical College, ag-equipment technicianBrittany Ganser, Mosinee, daughter of Andrew Ganser and Julie Sitko,

Northcentral Technical College, dental hygieneDanyelle Gee, Mosinee, daughter of Julie Sitko, Northcentral Technical College and

Upper Iowa University, accountingKrystal Glodowski, Amherst, daughter of Russel and Sophie Glodowski,

UW–Oshkosh, nursingLeah Glodowski, Rosholt, daughter of Paul and Lois Glodowski, Carroll University,

biochemistryMaxwell Hauser, Iola, son of David and Elizabeth Hauser, Columbia College of

Chicago, film

Alexandria Karski, Ogdensburg, daughter of Robert and Kimberly Karski, UW–Stevens Point, clinical laboratory science

Jaimie Kirschling, Custer, daughter of Diane Kirschling, UW–Eau Claire, registered nursing

Caleb Klein, Amherst Junction, son of Paul Klein and Beth Janssen-Klein, UW–Madison, biology/physics

Kevin Kolpack, Bowler, son of Curtis and Vicki Kolpack, UW–Stout, video game development

Jessalyn Krueger, Tigerton, daughter of Steven and Terri Krueger, Northeastern Wisconsin Technical College, registered nurse

Gina Kvatek, Mosinee, daughter of Judy Brayton, UW–River Falls, animal scienceMaria Filtz Lewandowski, Wittenberg, daughter of Norman and Doris Lewan-

dowski, Northcentral Technical College, EMT basics/paramedic technicianJenna Madsen, Tigerton, daughter of Dale and Sue Blajeski, UW–Madison, nursingEvan Maes, Rosholt, son of Joe and Carol Maes, UW–Platteville, mechanical

engineeringKatherine McNamara, Iola, daughter of Patrick and Susan McNamara, DePaul

University in Chicago, biological sciences Miranda Michaelis, Tigerton, daughter of Jeff Koepke and Kari Michaelis,

UW–Green Bay, undecidedMandi Minniecheske, Tigerton, daughter of Paul and Amy Minniecheske,

Northcentral Technical College, graphic design Ellen Oligney, Iola, daughter of Darrell and Julie Oligney, UW–La Crosse,

communications and psychologyAndrew Onan, Amherst, son of David Onan and Mary Patoka, UW–Madison,

economicsHeather Ostrowski, Ogdensburg, daughter of Tom and Cheryl Ostrowski,

UW–Oshkosh, physical therapyBecky Peterson, Scandinavia, daughter of David and Lenore Peterson, Mid-State

Technical College/Fox Valley Technical College, healthcareHailey Philipp, Wittenberg, daughter of Jeff and Sharla Philipp, Northcentral

Technical College, animal scienceLeah Pierce, Iola, daughter of Ken and Susan Pierce, UW–Marathon County/

UW–Stevens Point, dieteticsJerot Ritter, Tigerton, son of Tim and Cheryl Jones Ritter, UW–Eau Claire, physics

and engineeringMegan School, Wittenberg, daughter of Russell and Angela School, UW–Stevens

Point, art designMitchell School, Wittenberg, son of Russell and Angela School, Lakeland College,

business administrationTerri Serrano, Birnamwood, daughter of John and Theresa Serrano, Northcentral

Technical College, accounting

Congratulations to our 2013 Scholarship Recipients

(Continued on page 29 )

Hannah Bonikowski

April Discher

Jacob Firkus

Krystal Glodowski

Maxwell Hauser

Alexandria Karski

Jamie Kirschling

Caleb Klein

Gina Kvatek

Miranda Michaelis

Becky Petersoni

Terri Serano

Kelsi Smercheck

Tyler Stewart

Ellen Oligney

Nicole Tessen

Erin Wierzba

Carissa Wright

Hailey Philipp

Leah Glodowski

Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative

28 • Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News

Sawyer Hintz, son of Dawn and Corey Hintz of Scandinavia,

was selected to represent the state of Wisconsin on this year’s NRECA

CWEC Youth Elected to NRECA Youth Leadership CouncilYouth Leadership Council while he was in Washington, D.C., in July with more than 1,500 high school students at the Youth Leadership Tour. He returned to Washington, D.C., at the end of July for the leadership workshop and will at-tend various events throughout the year, including the 2014 NRECA Annual Meeting in Nashville in March. Sawyer was selected by his peers to serve on the WECA Youth Board 2012–2013.

Congratulations, Sawyer! We are very proud of you!

Central Wisconsin Electric Coop-erative had the pleasure of spon-

soring nine area high school students at Youth Leadership Congress (YLC) held July 10–12 at the University of Wisconsin–River Falls campus. The Youth Leadership Congress is co-sponsored by UW–River Falls and Wisconsin’s electric cooperatives. This year’s teens were from five area high schools: August Norman and Madeline Brandl, Rosholt High School; Christy Waldner, Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School; Sonia High and Shan-non Caskey, Bowler High School; Krystal Tysdal and Natalie Gauerke, Iola-Scandinavia High School; Jacob Kaczorowski and Molly Loughrin, Little Wolf (Manawa) High School.

This summer, YLC celebrated 50 years! More than 125 students rep-resented the 25 electric cooperatives in Wisconsin at this year’s three-day event. The congress offers attendees the opportunity to enhance their lead-ership skills and learn a little about cooperatives. Through a mix of work-shop sessions, hands-on activities, and team-building exercises, students were

exposed to a variety of real-life issues and given the opportunity to identify and explore their leadership potential. Although the program is very educa-tional, the focus is on having fun. It’s an excellent way for students to make new friends from around the state and in the process make lasting memories.

The entire program is planned,

and in many cases, presented by a Youth Board selected by their peers.The Youth Board selected this year plans next year’s congress.

Here is what some of the kids had to say about their Youth Leadership Congress experience:

First of all, I would like to thank the electric co-op that sponsored me, my class-mate August, and the students from Bowler, Wittenberg, Manawa, and Iola. I especially want to thank Mark and Patty for giving us their time and driving us to UW–River Falls. At the congress, I was given both learning and social opportunities above what I normally would have. After viewing demonstrations and hearing lectures, I am now much more informed on the dangers of electricity, business structures, and the his-tory of cooperatives. The most interesting thing I learned is the direct impact dairy farms have on rural electric cooperative; I live on a dairy farm so it directly applied to my life—Madeline Brandl

* * *This was my first year attending

the Youth Leadership Conference and I thought it was amazing! I met a lot of new

Teens Learn the Cooperative Difference at Youth Leadership Congress

All dressed up for the Etiquette Dinner—(l–r) Natalie Gauerke and Krystal Tysdal, Iola-Scandinavia High School; Madeline Brandl, Rosholt High School; Christy Waldner, Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School; Jacob Kaczorowski, Little Wolf (Manawa) High School; August Norman, Rosholt High School; Molly Loughrin, Little Wolf (Manawa), High School; Sonia High and Shannon Caskey, Bowler High School.

Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative • 29

Cass Reynolds, Interim CEO

10401 Lystul Rd., P.O. Box 100, Rosholt, WI 54473

(715) 677-2211 • 800-377-2932www.cwecoop.com

Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative

Your Touchstone Energy® Partner

Big Falls 44th Annual Free Corn RoastSunday, September 1, Big Falls, WI

Office Closed Monday, September 2 for Labor Day

Embarrass River Lions Club Horse Trail RideSeptember 6-8, TigertonEvent Chair: Pete 715-853-5506 and Trail Ride Chairperson: Deb 715-508-0097.

Taste of Tigerton Apple FestSaturday, September 21, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.Community Park in TigertonApple pies-baked and unbaked for sale, demonstra-tions, vendors, contests. For more information call 715-535-2110.

Norske Needlers Quilt Show, “Celebration of Quilts”Saturday, September 28, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.Iola Old Car Show Building, 130 Jensen Dr., Iola. Over 200 quilts wall hangings, handmade articles, 24 vendors, quilt turning of pre-1950 quilts. $4 admission.

Quilt appraisals available, $45 each. Contact Sandy, 715-445-2299. Food, easy access, free parking. Walls of Wittenberg Presents “Go Green” 6th An-nual Juried Art ShowSaturday, September 28, continuing Sat./Sun. through October 20, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. WOWSPACE, 114 Vinal Street, Wittenberg. Juried art show with painting, textiles, photography, three-dimensional art, and mixed media expressing the imaginations of Wisconsin artists. Free will donations appreciated. For more information call 715-253-3525 or go to www.wallsofwittenberg.com.

Potato Pancake FestSunday, October 6, Tilleda Community Center, Tilleda, serving 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Serving homemade pies. Spon-sored by Tilleda Peace Lutheran Church.

To submit your community events email brenda.mazemke@cwecoop.com or call Brenda at 715-677-2211 .

Dates to Remember in Septemberpeople and made many friends. I learned a lot of great things about co-ops. I’ve learned how co-ops really help our com-munity in many ways. The activities were a lot of fun, very enjoyable. I’m very glad I had the opportunity to go, and I thank you so much for letting me experience the Youth Leadership Conference. I would strongly suggest any student to attend if they were asked.—Sonia High

* * *Thank you so much for sponsoring

me during my days at River Falls. I learned so much about co-ops and what they do to improve the lives of the citizens of the com-munities they serve. Co-ops are the helpful “companies” that give people hope—the hope to inspire others to help people that are in need of their services. During my time at River Falls I participated in many different activities. My favorites were the team-building exercises as well as the motivational speaker we had. They taught me many different life lessons as well as little tips to help me make the most of life.—Natalie Gauerke

* * *I really enjoyed attending the Youth

Leadership Congress and had loads of fun throughout the entire experience. While at the campus, I really enjoyed the variety of engaging presentations from the speak-ers. I participated in quite a variety of entertaining activities, such as the team-building games and all the random stuff the speaker on Thursday had us do. During the district/group meeting I learned a lot about the way cooperatives operate as well as the economics behind them. Overall, I had an outstanding time and would be honored to attend again if given the op-portunity.—August Norman

Kelsi Smerchek, Rosholt, daughter of Dan and Shelly Smerchek, UW–Whitewater, social work

Tyler Stewart, Tigerton, son of Paul and Kris Stewart, UW–Platteville, mechanical engineering

Miranda Szulczewski, Tigerton, daughter of Tim and Lisa Szulczewski, The Salon Professional Academy, cosmetology

Nicole Tessen, Iola, daughter of Todd and Michelle Tessen, UW–Oshkosh, pre-pharmacy

Anne VerHagen, Custer, daughter of Eric and Jeanne VerHagen, UW–Stevens Point, English/teaching

Heinrich Walder, Rosholt, son of Mark and Lisa Walder, Iowa Central, business/marketing

Erin Wierzba, Rosholt, daughter of Brian and Carol Wierzba, Northcentral Technical College, radiology

Whitney Williams, Birnamwood, daughter of Shawn and Shannon Williams, Olivet Nazarene University, history

Carrissa Wright, Custer, daughter of Joseph and Marcie Wright, UW–Whitewater/UW–Madison, cardiac surgeon

Dalton Yaeger, Rosholt, son of James and Lynn Yae-ger, Carthage College, business administration

Students who have been awarded the scholarship pre-viously (not pictured): Brianna Berti, Rosholt, daughter of Michael and Joanne Berti, UW–Eau Claire, pre-medicine; Lindsay Brandenburg, Mosinee, daughter of John and Lisa Brandenburg, Northwestern College in St Paul, MN, biology; Derek Budsberg, Amherst Jct., son of Randy and Kathy Budsberg, UW–Stevens Point, waste management; Ashley Geier, Birnamwood, daughter of Dave and Lynn

Geier, UW–Stevens Point, youth programming and camp management; Mariah Kolodziej, Stevens Point, daughter of Bill and Diane Kolodziej, University of Saint Francis Joliet, mass communications; Gina Lawton, Wittenberg, daughter of Scott and Joann Lawton, UW–Eau Claire, psychology; Chelsea Martin, Tigerton, daughter of Jon and Sue Martin, UW–Stevens Point, psychology; Paige McAully, Birnamwood, daughter of Theodore and Pamela McAuly, Bellin College of Nursing in Green Bay, registered nurse; Josey Pukrop, Stevens Point, daughter of Tony and Sue Pukrop, UW–River Falls, animal science; Hilary Ron-deau, Wittenberg, daughter of Mike and Brenda Rondeau, Northcentral Technical College, accounting associates degree; Bryanna Rucinski, Mosinee, daughter of Paul and Diane Rucinski, UW–Stevens Point, dietetics; Mat-thew Rucinski, Mosinee, son of Paul and Diane Rucinski, UW–Madison or UW–Platteville, mechanical engineering; Hannah School, Wittenberg, daughter of Russell and Angela School, UW–Stevens Point, elementary education; Amanda Simonis, Custer, daughter of Bryon and Laurie Simonis, Northcentral Technical College and UW–Stevens Point, nursing and health care administration; Brooke Simonis, Custer, daughter of Bryon and Laurie Simonis, UW–La Crosse, pre-physical therapy and athletic train-ing; Krystle Somers, Iola, UW–Madison, accounting and economics; Melissa Weller, Wittenberg, daughter of Greg and Dianne Weller, UW–Platteville, engineering physics; Marilyn Yenter, Rosholt, daughter of Jess and Jane Yenter, UW–Stevens Point, accounting; Nicholas Yenter, Rosholt, son of Gerald and Karen Yenter, Concordia University of Wisconsin, computer science; Kelly Lautenschlager, Ogdensburg, daughter of Timothy and Lisa Lautenschlager, Argosy University, radiation therapy.

Scholarships (Continued from page 5)