Rock Energy Holds 90th Annual Meeting

Rock Energy Cooperative held its 90th Annual Meeting on Monday, April 13, 2026, at the Janesville Conference Center (Holiday Inn Express) in Janesville, WI. Just over 380 people were in attendance, representing 177 co-op members.

Above, Rock Energy Board Chair, Barbara Miller, addresses members at the 90th Rock Energy Cooperative Annual Meeting.

During the meeting, 2026 Rock Energy director elections were announced for districts 7 and 8. Presiding over the elections was attorney Jessica Shrestha. Directors elected are as follows:    
•    Derik Roth – District 7 (re-elected)
•    Ron Richards – District 8 (re-elected)

      

Pictured Above: Derik Roth (left) and Ron Richards

Calling the meeting to order and providing opening remarks was Board Chair Barb Miller, followed by an address from Rock Energy CEO Shane Larson. Miller also provided the Official Notice of the Annual Meeting, Treasurer’s Report, and Chairman’s Report.

At this year's annual meeting, it was announced to members that long-time board member Marian Trescher has retired from her board position.

"From a board standpoint, tonight is bittersweet," said Miller. "We will say goodbye and thanks to long-time board member Marian Trescher, who is retiring after tonight’s meeting."

In honor of Trescher's long-time affiliation with the co-op and outstanding performance as a board member, she was presented with a retirement gift of an old-style meter that was converted into a lamp.

Pictured above, Marian Trescher receives a retirement recognition gift from Shane Larson, Rock Energy CEO.

Trescher first became involved with Rock Energy through her husband, Howard. During his 43 years as a director, Marian was always by his side, handling schedules and taking notes at meetings. When Howard passed away in 2004, Marian 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 Foundation Board and WECA Education Committee. In the 1960’s, when Howard served on the board, Marian started and organized the “cooperative queen” program for the co-op. In the early 70’s, Rock Energy’s queen went on to win the cooperative queen title at both the state and national level as “Miss Rural Electricification.” Marian served as her chaperone, traveling with her to speaking engagements and events across the country.

Trescher retired from teaching after spending 27 years in the Milton and Janesville school systems. Trescher’s experience includes work with the Milton Town Board (Supervisor); Town of Milton Planning and Zoning Board (Chairman); Milton Joint Fire Commission; Milton Grange (Secretary); and the township as Chief Election Inspector. She has also been involved in many community groups throughout the years. 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 several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Pictured above, co-op members listen in during the CEO's address at the 2026 Rock Energy Annual Meeting.

CEO ADDRESS

While addressing co-op members, Larson spoke about the storied co-op history and the significance of its 90th anniversary.

“A small group of incorporators back in 1936 signed our articles of incorporation and our first line was energized in 1937," said Larson. "Once that happened, the co-op never had a day off. Every minute for the next 90 years was covered. Between 1937 and today, this co-op has been available for its membership and has survived depressions, recessions, pandemics, and every sort of weather."

   

Pictured above, Rock Energy CEO Shane Larson address the audience at the 2026 annual meeting.

Larson went on to talk about the co-op's core strength, its employees, and making sure the co-op provides the best service possible for its members, at all times.

"We spend a great deal of resources on vegetation management, pole replacement, animal protection, system upgrades. And on the natural gas side, we continue to have very competitive rates and reliable service," said Larson. "We know that there's going to be some challenges ahead, but I’m very confident that we’re going to be positioned very well to serve the members for the next 90 years and beyond."

BYLAWS CHANGES

There were also two changes to the Rock Energy Cooperative Bylaws approved, including:

• Article III. Directors - the approval allows the co-op to have a minimum of seven districts (from nine before the change).
• Article IV. Meeting of Directors (Section 1) Regular Meetings - this approval allows the co-op to have no less than 9 board meetings annually (from monthly before the change).

 

2026 SCHOLARSHIPS

As the evening dinner was served, the co-op’s Education Committee members Bill Fischer and Barbara Miller recognized the 2026 scholarship winners on stage. Each of the scholarship winners addressed the member audience by stating their name, high school, college choice and future area of study. Twenty-one of the 25 scholarship winners were in attendance at the scholarship presentation.

Pictured above are the 2026 Rock Energy Cooperative Scholarship recipients.

The scholarships are awarded to high school graduating seniors that reside in our distribution area. Each scholarship is in the amount of $1,000. Rock Energy has increased the number of scholarships awarded to 25, which is 10 more than years past when 15 scholarships were handed out.

"They (scholarship students) are helping shape strong leaders and brighter futures right here in Rock Energy service territory," said Miller "This year the committee received a total of 55 applications. The recipients represent 10 high schools in our distribution service territory. These students will receive $1,000 for their first year and are eligible for another $1,000 their second year of college.

Also announced during the scholarship presentation were second-year scholarship winners. Those students, going into their sophomore year of college next year, were not in attendance.

Following the scholarship presentation, members were served a plated, fully served dinner.