On July 1, 2016, Cooperative Network and the Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association (WECA) began operating as distinct membership organizations. Discussions that led to the reorganization began early last year. Wisconsin's electric distribution cooperatives voted to reform as a stand-alone statewide association in March 2016.
The changes will only affect 25 of Cooperative Network's approximately 400 cooperative business members in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Cooperative Network continues to provide advocacy, education, public awareness, and development services to a wide range of business sectors including agricultural marketing and processing, credit unions, dairy, electric, Farm Credit, farm supply, health care, mutual insurance, housing, service, telecommunications, and worker-owned cooperatives.
"Since its inception, Cooperative Network has established itself as a strong and steady organization that is a dependable and effective voice for all cooperatives and their member-owners," said Tom Liebe, Cooperative Network president and CEO. "Our mission-focused staff truly believes in the seven cooperative principles and is incredibly excited to continue sharing with public officials and consumers the powerful messages and compelling stories that all cooperatives have."
Cooperative Network's Wisconsin office contacts include:
- Tom Liebe, President & CEO, tom.liebe@cooperativenetwork.coop
- Dawn Bausch, Director of Administration, dawn.bausch@cooperativenetwork.coop
- Jenny Bernhardt, Director of Communications, jenny.bernhardt@cooperativenetwork.coop
- Ethan Giebel, Director of Education, ethan.giebel@cooperativenetwork.coop
- John Manske, Director of Government Relations, john.manske@cooperativenetwork.coop
- David Ward, Director of Government Relations & Dairy, david.ward@cooperativenetwork.coop
Please direct any questions to Tom Liebe, tom.liebe@cooperativenetwork.coop or (608) 258-4413.
Cooperative Network serves approximately 400 Wisconsin and Minnesota member-cooperatives by providing advocacy, education, public awareness, and development services to a wide variety of cooperatives including agricultural marketing and processing, credit unions, dairy, electric, Farm Credit, farm supply, health care, mutual insurance, housing, service, telecommunications, worker-owned cooperatives, and more. For more information about Cooperative Network, visit www.cooperativenetwork.coop.
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7.08.2016
