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Oconto Electric Tops 2025 Communications Awards 

September 11, 2026—Wisconsin electric cooperative member services and communications professionals gathered in Madison last week for the Member Services Association and the Communications Power Conferences.

A highlight of the event is the annual awards presentation for communicators who produce exceptional content for the local pages of the monthly Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News magazine.

Co-op News
🏆 First place: Oconto Electric Cooperative — Katie Jagiello, editor
⭐ Honorable Mention: Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services — Liz Gunderson, editor (Gunderson was the local editor during the time of judging)

Energy Education
🏆 First Place: Eau Claire Energy Cooperative— Taylor Skibba, editor
⭐ Honorable Mention: Richland Electric Cooperative — Trina Duffy-Brauer, editor

Human Interest
🏆 First Place: Oconto Electric Cooperative— Katie Jagiello, editor
⭐ Honorable Mention: Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services — Liz Gunderson, editor

Photography
🏆 First Place: Vernon Electric Cooperative— Trevor Clark, editor
⭐ Honorable Mention: Oconto Electric Cooperative— Katie Jagiello, editor

At the Member Services Association and the Communications Power Conferences, attendees exchanged ideas and explored topics ranging from member engagement to difficult conversations. 

The two-day gathering also included tours of the WECA and RESCO facilities and plenty of opportunities to network and share ideas.

Sponsors of the event include Dairyland Power Cooperative, Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC), Federated Rural Electric Insurance Exchange, Fredrikson & Byron, P.A., Weld Riley, S.C., CoBank, RESCO, NRTC National Information Solutions Cooperative, and Heartland Credit Union.
 

WECA Safety Poster Contest Winners Announced 

June 5, 2026—The Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association has announced the winners of the 2026 Poster Safety Contest, which is open to third-graders. This year’s submissions included an amazing display of creativity and knowledge, resulting in ties for first and second place.

The winners are:

  • 1st Place: Teghan Serum - Riverland Energy Cooperative
  • 1st Place: Mahima Ganesh – Barron Electric Cooperative
  • 2nd Place: Lydia Junk – Scenic Rivers Electric Cooperative
  • 2nd Place: Rebecca Wersal - St. Croix Electric Cooperative
  • 3rd Place: Naiya Servant – Jackson Electric Cooperative
(click on thumbnails to see full-sized images)
         
1st Place:
Teghan Serum		 1st Place:
Mahima Ganesh		 2nd Place:
Lydia Junk		 2nd Place:
Rebecca Wersal		 3rd Place:
Naiya Servant
 

FOR MORE WECA NEWS...

CO-OP DIFFERENCE

Celebrating National Cooperative
Month and The Cow Lessons Continue
– Rob Richard, WECA President & CEO

If you’re a regular reader of this column, you may recall that last September I wrote about my glamorous role in county‑fair competition, specifically making sure my daughter’s heifers had spotless derrieres before entering the ring. That level of competition required me to help scoop poop, catch poop, and wipe poop, all so her heifer looked its absolute best. I used to think I was the cool dad coaching her lacrosse team. I’ve since been relegated to rear‑end quality control.

Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News

The Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News serves as the voice of the state’s rural electric cooperatives.

Founded in 1940, the publication focuses on statewide issues that affect electric cooperatives, promoting the general welfare of Wisconsin’s electric cooperatives, their member-owners, and the areas they serve.

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