Ryan Kenealy, manager of corporate & field safety at Dairyland Power Cooperative, is the recipient of the 2026 Herman C. Potthast Award, recognizing his commitment to safety, leadership, technical excellence, and helping others succeed.
Kenealy was nominated for his consistent dedication to promoting safe work practices and strengthening the safety culture at Dairyland. Throughout his work, he leads by example and demonstrates a willingness to share his knowledge and experience with fellow employees.
Kenealy has also contributed to continued improvements within the electric cooperative Job Training & Safety (JT&S) program, helping advance the training and safety practices that protect employees working throughout the electric cooperative system.
Those who nominated Kenealy emphasized not only his technical knowledge, but also his commitment to his coworkers. His willingness to teach, mentor, and support others reflects an understanding that a strong safety culture depends on employees looking out for one another and continually working to improve in the interest of safety.
Kenealy’s combination of leadership, technical expertise, and commitment to safe work practices embodies the values and ideals associated with Herman C. Potthast and the award established in his honor.