Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association: Announces 2022 award winners

(Madison, WI) The Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association (WECA) has announced the recipients of its 2022 annual awards are:

  • Ally of Cooperative Electrification (ACE) award: Marian Trescher, Milton
  • Special Ally of Cooperative Electrification (ACE) award: Steve Freese, Hazel Green
  • Herman C. Potthast Award for safety: Ben Bella, Mondovi
  • N.F. Leifer Memorial Journalism Award: Vernon Electric Cooperative, Dave Maxwell, editor

ACE Award: Marian Trescher

Marian Trescher, Milton, a lifelong public servant whose commitment to community has had an exceptional impact on the electric cooperative world and beyond, is the recipient of WECA’s 2022 Ally of Cooperative Electrification (ACE) award.  The ACE award is the highest annual award presented by WECA, and recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding support and service to the industry on behalf of Wisconsin electric cooperatives and the members they serve. Marian is the second woman to receive the ACE award since it was launched in 1967.

Trescher, who spent 27 years as a public school teacher in Janesville and Milton, first became involved with Rock Energy Cooperative through her husband, Howard. During his 43 years as a director, Marian was also very involved, and when Howard passed away in 2004, she was elected to fill his seat, a position she has held ever since. In 2011, she was elected board secretary. She has received many certifications and also served on the Federated Youth Board and WECA Education Committee.

Marian’s public service involvement also includes the Milton Board of Supervisors, Joint Fire Commission, Planning and Zoning (Chair), Milton Grange, Milton 4-H, Rural Housing Board, polling place lead worker, and more. In the 15 letters of nomination from the various chapters of her life, Marian is consistently described as professional, engaged, kind, dedicated, and extremely organized.

“Over my 32 years in the cooperative family, I honestly cannot think of any person who has embraced and promoted the cooperative business model more than Marian. Marian’s commitment and energy to the cooperative principles have always been a guiding light for Rock Energy.” – Shane Larson, Rock Energy CEO

“Frankly, she represents the very best of what our industry needs and expects.” – Sheldon Petersen, former GM of Rock County Electric Cooperative Association and 2020 special ACE award recipient

“I am unwavering in my belief that Marian has positively impacted millions of lives… She is a lifelong community connector… Marian’s life is a shining example and a model to all, especially young girls. They can see Marian’s life themselves in dynamic roles across multiple sectors.” – Milton Mayor Anissa Welch 

“She is a model of which to observe in how she handles tough discussions, when viewpoints differ… A leadership style sure to be admired, and one I hope to model.” – Barbara Miller, Rock Energy director, and Marian’s ACE award nominator.

In addition to her many hours of community service, Marian also enjoys spending time with her three children, and is an avid supporter of her 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Special ACE Award: Steve Freese

 Steve Freese, President & CEO of the Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association (WECA), has been selected to receive a special Ally of Cooperative Electrification (ACE) Award, the highest honor presented by WECA and its board of directors. Freese was selected for his lifelong commitment to community, as evidenced by his many years of leadership and service to state and local government, community organizations, and the electric cooperative industry. 

Freese developed a passion for rural Wisconsin issues early on, growing up on the farm in Grant County that has been in his family for 142 years, and where he still lives today. Earning a degree in political science from UW Platteville, his leadership skills were evident early when he was first elected to the Jamestown Town Board in 1980, followed by his election to the Grant County Board of Directors at the age of 22. In 1991 he was elected to serve as a state representative in the Wisconsin State Assembly representing 55,000 constituents in four counties, which he did for 16 years.

According to former Governor Tommy Thompson, “Steve has long had a passion for protecting and enhancing our rural way of life that brought him into public service as a young man and eventually to the State Capitol where his work embodied his beliefs. In his transition to the leader of Wisconsin’s electric cooperatives, rural Wisconsin has and continues to be the benefactor of a great man’s work that is vital to the individuals and communities served by the state’s electric cooperatives.”

Following his years in the legislature, Freese served as the Executive Director of Circus World Museum in Baraboo beginning in 2007 where he was instrumental in his efforts to maintain and grow the iconic museum, according to former Circus World board chairman John Lloyd. 

Freese also served as Chief Administrative Officer of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation Cooperative and its subsidiary organizations, before joining Cooperative Network as Vice President in 2015, where WECA was then a division. Freese was at the helm when the WECA board directed him to lead the way in reestablishing the statewide as a stand-alone organization.

David Paudler, Riverland Energy Cooperative board president and then WECA chairman said, “Steve has always advocated for our best interests. His dedication and hard work resulted in the momentum that became WECA’s renewal and this will always be part of his legacy.”

Herman C. Potthast Award: Ben Bella

Ben Bella, Mondovi, who serves as the safety & loss control manager for Eau Claire Energy, Riverland Energy, Oakdale Electric, and Jackson Electric, is the recipient of the 2022 Potthast Award for his commitment and dedication to safety in the electric cooperative field. Bella has served in this role for more than 12 years.

Bella was instrumental in the production of a series of educational videos including License to Live, which educates the public on the dangers present in the event of a traffic collision involving electrical equipment, and the 811 Dig-In video, which is about the dangers of digging where underground lines may be present. He also works to educate children about electricity dangers with presentations for community organizations and schools.

“Ben’s dedication, knowledge, and passion to educate about electrical safety have been essential assets to the safety program. He provides valuable, unbiased insight to various situations as he works patiently with our employees and the public”. – Carol Blaken, member relations manager at Jackson Electric Cooperative

“Ben is an individual with strong leadership, servitude, and integrity. He exemplifies cooperative principles and values. His core values make him an irreplaceable asset who is willing to evaluate, correspond, and aid wherever the need. Ben inspires respect and advocates for safety.” – Steve Knudsen, safety and loss prevention consultant, Federated Rural Insurance Exchange

Bella also serves as the president of Quad State Instructors, which was created to allow utility safety professionals to exchange information, upgrade skills, and expand an excellent collection of shared and pertinent training programs. Its membership includes safety professionals from across the country.

Bella previously worked as a technology and engineering teacher in the Altoona School District. He received his master’s in technology management at UW-Stout in 2011.

2022 N.F. Leifer Memorial Journalism Award: Vernon Electric Cooperative/Dave Maxwell, editor

Vernon Electric Cooperative was chosen as the recipient of the 2022 N.F. Leifer Memorial Journalism Award, which is bestowed upon the co-op adjudged to have had the strongest overall local pages in the Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News magazine over the previous 12 months.

Dave Maxwell, director of member services at Vernon Electric is the editor. Leah Call is a contributing writer.

This is the fifth Leifer Award Vernon Electric has won since this publication first began offering awards for excellence in 1966, and the third such honor to be earned on Maxwell’s watch. In addition, the co-op has won multiple category awards, particularly in the area of human interest.

In selecting Vernon Electric as this year’s Leifer Award winner, the judge cited the co-op’s “excellent member features” and awarded a bonus point “for going above and beyond on being locally focused and member-centric in content.”

The N.F. Leifer Memorial Journalism Award is named for former Vernon Electric Cooperative manager Norman F. “Lefty” Leifer, who was instrumental in launching what was then known as the Wisconsin REA News in 1940.