Co-op boards support shared manager

 Cresco, IA (7:30 a.m. May 29, 2009)—Recently two electric cooperative boards unanimously supported a one-year agreement for Brian Krambeer to serve as manager of both Tri-County Electric Cooperative (TEC), of Rushford, MN., and Hawkeye REC, of Cresco, IA, with expectations for extensions to the original agreement.

Krambeer carries with him 21 years of experience in the electric co-op industry and has served as TEC’s president/CEO since 2001. The arrangement will provide direct savings to both cooperatives with management costs split down the middle.

Sharing the cost of personnel is nothing new to TEC and Hawkeye REC. Currently, the co-op shares an arborist and a safety and compliance coordinator. Beyond that, both cooperatives have joined forces with other cooperatives over the years to offer engineering services through PowerPlus Engineering and participate with its industry neighbors to coordinate financial audit bids and purchasing of certain inventory of distribution line equipment to help share on costs.

 “For the past three months I’ve been working at both locations on an interim basis and with today’s technology I can just about be in two places at one time,” said Krambeer. “However, I mainly attribute the success of shared management to the quality of employees at each electric cooperative.”

Krambeer will represent both cooperatives at meetings and events, which provides added savings for travel expenses. In Minnesota, four other electric cooperatives have been successful with shared management positions.

“I applaud the cooperation  exhibited of both electric cooperative board of directors and I very much look forward to continuing the opportunity to work with the staff and membership of both fine electric cooperatives.” said Krambeer.

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