The Annual Meeting of the Members of Prairie Land Electric Cooperative, Inc. was held April 1, 2025, at the Prairie Land headquarters in Norton. A brisket lunch prepared by Pete’s BBQ in Smith Center was served to 257 members and guests by Prairie Land’s employees and eight members of the Kansas Association for Youth (KAY) from Norton Community High School (NCHS).
Entertainment was provided by the Jay Singers from NCHS, who performed several songs during the lunch. Prairie Land Board President Mike Rogers chaired the meeting and called it to order at 12:45 p.m. He recognized special guests in attendance, introduced the members of the board of trustees for each district, and then called on John McClymont, attorney for Prairie Land, to give the results of the 2025 trustee election. SCOTT URBAN was reelected to District 1; IVAN BOHL was reelected to District 2; and SANDRA BENOIT was reelected to District 3. Rogers introduced our guest speaker, Lee Tafanelli, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kansas Electric Cooperatives.
CEO Kirk Girard gave the annual report, including Prairie Land’s financial status overview and company highlights for 2024. Kody Pounds, Director of Operations, recognized staff efforts during the March 2025 storm restoration.
There being no further business, it was moved, seconded, and carried to adjourn the meeting. Sarah Gallentine, member services assistant, conducted the drawings for door prizes. Winners were: CHARLENE WESKAMP of Norton, STIHL GTA 26 chainsaw; CARL CONKEY of Edmond, Igloo cooler; JERRY FOSTER of Jennings, Milwaukee blower kit; TRUDY DEGES of Damar, rechargeable light with stand; WINONA JARVIS of Long Island, Bosen kitchen vacuum sealer; MARY ANN HAGER of Norton, two heated stadium seats and tumblers from Sunflower Electric Power Corporation; DAN BRUMITT of Norcatur, STIHL gas-powered leaf blower donated by Solida Tree Service; MARILYN SCHRUM of Phillipsburg, $100 bill credit; LINDA MILLER of Agra, LOIS RUNION of Phillipsburg, STEPHEN WASHBURN of Norton, and LLOYD TOLL of Logan, $50 bill credits.