BATH, S.D. (Press Release) – Northern Electric Cooperative members in District 7 have elected Jeff Vander Wal of Brentford to the Board of Directors. Members elected Vander Wal during the cooperative’s 73rd annual meeting on Sept. 22.

“I am very humbled to be elected by the membership in my district to serve them on the Northern Electric Board,” Vander Wal said. “It will be a steep learning curve, but I have already found the management staff and fellow board members to be very helpful with my early education.”

Vander Wal fills the District 7 seat, which covers portions of southern Brown County and northern Spink County. Vic Fischbach had held the seat, but Fischbach reached his term limit in September and can no longer serve on the board.

Vander Wal lives and farms in the Brentford area and worked as an agronomist at a cooperative before he started his farming career in 2009.

“Having worked in the co-op system for 13 years, I hope – with my experience – I can look at every issue we face asking ourselves what is best for the co-op, employees, and consumers,” Vander Wal said.

Vander Wal is currently involved with the South Dakota Shorthorn Association, Northwestern Area FFA Alumni chapter, Spink County 4-H Leaders Association, the Spink County Conservation District, and the Brentford UCC Search Committee.

Vander Wal defeated Danny Miles of Conde in the District 7 election. Vander Wal and Miles were the only two candidates to submit valid petitions to run for the board.

Northern Electric is a member-owned Touchstone Energy Cooperative serving Brown and Spink counties.