Two red waters, one co-op current

Rural electric cooperatives are known to follow seven core principles, reflecting values of democratic member participation, autonomy and community. One of those principles is Cooperation Among Cooperatives, and neighboring Red Lake Electric Cooperative and Red River Valley Co-op Power (RRVCP) believe they’ve found just the formula for that kind of collaboration.

On Feb. 1, RRVCP CEO Rich Whitcomb took an additional co-op under his wing, becoming the new CEO of Red Lake Electric. The dual leadership role was a result of two cooperative boards who understood working together provided an opportunity to find management efficiencies.

“Both boards felt that this new arrangement was worth the effort, with the knowledge we're not the first ones to do this,” Whitcomb explained. “It's one way we can demonstrate to members of both co-ops that we do care about your dollar. We are actively trying to have an openness to new ideas that haven't been tried up in northwest Minnesota.”

Under the new 50-50 cost share agreement, Whitcomb will split his time between the cooperatives, with some of this work overlapping for both. As a resident of rural Fertile, Minnesota, he’ll have a nearly equal drive time to RRVCP headquarters in Halstad and Red Lake Electric headquarters in Red Lake Falls.

Having worked for RRVCP for 18 years (the last seven as CEO), Whitcomb is no stranger to his new team to the northeast. “I’ve known some of the employees of Red Lake Electric for years. I know they have great, incredibly competent employees who are doing an awful lot, and that work ethic has been reinforced over the short time I've been here,” he said.

Writing the next chapter

Whitcomb, who grew up in West Fargo, North Dakota, started his career in journalism. After graduating from Moorhead State University with a degree in English and Communications, he was hired as a reporter for the Park River Enterprise. He then became an editor at a community newspaper, thriving in a space that allowed him to tell the stories of local rural people.

As much as Whitcomb enjoyed the rush of journalism, he knew he wanted to start a family and find more long-term career stability. He turned his attention to rural electric cooperatives, where he could continue to share stories and serve the communities around him. In 2005, he landed a job as a communications specialist at Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association near the Twin Cities. Three years later, an opening for a member services director at RRVCP brought him closer to home.

“During that time as a member services director, I started thinking about how I could continue to do this meaningful work and also advance within the co-op,” he said. “About 10 years ago I started to think, you know, I could see myself leading here.”

Under the mentorship of then-CEO Lauren Brorby, Whitcomb began to learn more about every aspect of co-op operations. He completed the Management Internship Program of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) and was ready to step up when Brorby retired in 2019.

“When I became CEO, we pushed all our chips into technology,” Whitcomb said. “I’d been a part of that push before I took leadership, so I think I gained some trust from the rest of the team who I’d been working beside to make it happen. That was the start of getting the technology we needed.”

Beyond integrating new technologies like two-way Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and transitioning to modern, highly efficient operations software from the National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC), Whitcomb worked hard to secure state and federal funding to help with reliability projects across the RRVCP territory. The co-op will complete $2.5 million worth of work over three years, converting more than 16 miles of overhead line to underground line. Approximately 75% will be reimbursed. “To be able to enhance reliability without the members having to foot 100% of the bill? I’m really proud of that,” he said.

In his first few months as CEO of Red Lake Electric, Whitcomb plans to do a lot of listening. The knowledge of those 18 new employees will build upon the know-how of 19 RRVCP employees, doubling the size of their bench.

“The goal is to not make white caps,” Whitcomb said. “The electrons have been flowing here for 90 years. Sometimes it's good just to get out of the way and let the people who know the system do their work.”

A joint advisory committee composed of members from both co-op boards has been formed to help guide the early stages of the management alliance. The group will meet quarterly to assess what is working well and where refinements can be made.

Whitcomb is optimistic this next step in his journey will benefit both the co-ops and their members. And he counts that as a win for a man who just wanted to do meaningful work.

“It's a good feeling to work for a not-for-profit, because you do feel at the end of the day you're making difference,” he said. “You're providing something that really helps people.”