KEM Board of Directors
The KEM Electric Board consists of 7 member elected directors. Directors are elected at the annual meeting to serve 3 year terms and meet once a month.
KEM Electric Cooperative's Directors serve as liaisons between fellow members and the co-op executive staff, providing guidance and oversight on co-op operations. Directors provide the vital service of voicing the membership's needs and upholding the cooperative value of democratic member control.
Interested in serving?
Are you passionate about your community and making a difference? We invite you to join the KEM Electric Board of Directors. KEM Electric currently has a district-at-large vacant seat that needs to be filled, along with the district 3 position up for election.
Running for a board of director position for a rural electric cooperative can be a meaningful and impactful decision. Board directors collaborate with like-minded individuals on decisions that impact your future from energy to community growth.
Nomination petitions open on Jan. 11 and must be turned in by the end of day on March 12.
Director Candidate Biography Form
For inquiries or more information, please contact Marcy Sanders at 701-254-4666 or email msanders@kemelectric.com.
Board of Directors
Victor "Chuck" Wald
District 4
District 4 is situated within Logan County. It includes the towns of Lehr, Napoleon, and Kintyre. This district holds 579 miles of line, 335 members, and 2 substation yards. The substations in this district are Napoleon and Sukut.
Victor "Chuck" Wald has served on KEM Electric's Board of Directors since 2010. He was most recently re-elected in 2023. He is the Chairman.
John R. Beck
District 1
District 1 is situated within Emmons County. It includes the towns of Hazelton, Braddock, and Temvik. This district holds 613 miles of line, 490 members, and 2 substation yards. The substations in this district are Hazelton and Sunburst.
John R. Beck has served on KEM Electric's Board of Directors since 2012. He was most recently re-elected in 2021.
Carter Vander Wal
District 2
District 2 is situated within Emmons County. It includes the towns of Linton, Strasburg, Hague, Westfield, and Hull. This district holds 576 miles of line, 514 members, and 2 substation yards. The substations in this district are Linton and Krassna.
Carter Vander Wal has served on KEM Electric's Board of Directors since 2006. He was most recently re-elected in 2021. He is the current Secretary/Treasurer.
Neil Meidinger
District 3
District 3 is situated within McIntosh County. It includes the towns of Zeeland, Venturia, Wishek, and Ashley. This district holds 608 miles of line, 447 members, and 3 substation yards. The substations in this district are Ashley, Zeeland, and Danzig.
Neil Meidinger has served on KEM Electric's Board of Directors since 2016. He was most recently re-elected in 2022.
Dean Dewald
District 5
District 5 is situated within Kidder County. It includes the towns of Steele, Dawson, Tappen, and Crystal Springs. This district holds 558 miles of line, 419 members, and 2 substation yards. The substations in this district are Steele and Tappen.
Dean Dewald has served on KEM Electric's Board of Directors since 2002. He was most recently re-elected in 2023.
Carmen Essig
District At-Large
The Board of Directors includes two at large positions. The Directors represent the service area as a whole.
Carmen Essig has served on KEM Electric's Board of Directors since 1999. He was most recently re-elected in 2023. He is current Vice Chair.
Todd Schnabel
At Large
The Board of Directors includes two at large positions. The Directors represent the service area as a whole.
Carmen Essig was elected to served on KEM Electric's Board of Directors in 2025.