“What is the reason we can't organize our own electric co-op here in Eau Claire County?”
Past Chairman of the Board, Walter Roach; Board member 1938-1976
GET TO KNOW US A LITTLE BETTER
Eau Claire Energy Cooperative (ECEC) provides reliable and affordable electricity and related energy services to residential, business, and farm members in Eau Claire County. We also serve portions of Chippewa, Dunn, Pepin, Buffalo, Trempealeau and Jackson Counties. As a Touchstone Energy Partner, we are proud of the personal service we offer to over 11,000 awesome cooperative members.
The employees of the Cooperative are committed to making sure your home or business is receiving energy. Call our office and speak to any of our 35 employees about your account, bill, or energy information. We serve over 11,000 members on more than 1,650 miles of distribution lines. You could say we're pretty energized about our jobs and the people we serve.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ECEC is governed by a nine-person Board of Directors elected by members to three-year terms. At each annual meeting, three directors are elected. If you have questions or concerns regarding your Cooperative, please contact your Board Representative.
1. Thomas W. Schwartz
715-834-1784
Term expires 2020
Seymour, West of County Road UN, Eau Claire County; Hallie and Lafayette, Chippewa County, except land in District 2 and the Village of Lake Hallie
2. Robert J. Gadwill
715-834-1498
Term expires 2021
All Service Areas of the Cooperative within the City of Eau Claire and the City of Altoona.
3. Michael Schummer
715-877-2139
Term expires 2019
Ludington, and Seymour, East of County Road UN, Eau Claire County; Sigel, including the Village of Cadott, Goetz and Edson, Chippewa County; and the Town of Butler, Clark County.
4. Judith A. Anibas
715-874-5844
Secretary/Treasurer of the Board of Directors
Term expires 2021
Washington West of South Lowes Creek Road and Union, Eau Claire County; Spring Brook, Dunn county, except land in District 2
5. Joseph L. Becker
715-926-3769
Term expires 2020
Brunswick and Drammen, Eau Claire County; Rock Creek, Dunn County; Albany, Pepin County; Naples, Buffalo County, except service area in District 2
6. Frank Neibauer
715-834-5045
Term expires 2021
Pleasant Valley, Eau Claire County; Albion, Trempealeau County
7. Andrew Bourget
715-835-6838
Vice Chair of the Board of Directors
Term expires 2019
Washington, East of South Lowes Creek Rd, North of Walnut Rd, and North of an Easterly extension of Walnut Rd to Mathwig Rd, and North of Mathwig Rd, Eau Claire County, except land in District 2
8. Jeffrey Frieburg
715-597-2070
Term expires 2020
Lincoln, Clear Creek, Otter Creek, and Washington, South of Walnut Rd, South of Easterly extension of Walnut Rd to Mathwig Rd, and South of Mathwig Rd, Eau Claire County; Sumner & Unity, Trempealeau County.
9. Clarence L. Boettcher
715-597-2036
Chair of the Board of Directors & Cooperative Vice-President
Term expires 2019
Wilson, Bridge Creek and Fairchild, Eau Claire County; Garfield, Cleveland and Northfield, Jackson County.
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM
Lynn E. Thompson
President & Chief Executive Officer
Dody Wubker
Chief Financial Officer
Monica Obrycki
Chief Administrative Officer
Patrick Bethke
Operations Manager
Mary Kay Brevig
Communications & PR Manager
Rob Weber
Technology Manager
WE'VE BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE
Interest in rural electrification arrived in Eau Claire County in 1938, just three years after President Roosevelt established the Rural Electrification Administration. As membership solicitors from the Trempealeau Electric Cooperative came door-to-door just a few miles from the city limits of Eau Claire, they sparked electrification interest in the Eau Claire community. Electricity providers refused to serve those outside the city limits, leaving many farmers anxious for energy.
When a solicitor came to the Walter Roach farm, he asked one question: "What's the reason we can't organize our own electric co-op here in Eau Claire County?" Roach's question prompted a group of like-minded individuals to explore the establishment of an electric cooperative. On March 17, 1938 ECEC held its first annual meeting. What followed were months of planning and construction until the evening of March 3, 1939 when the lights at the Walter and Otto Schumacher farm finally came on. And the rest, is history.
A national award-winning history of our cooperative was compiled by a team of UW-Eau Claire Public History students. Members may pick up a free copy of the book at our office. Supplies are limited.