Local electric cooperative director named president of statewide trade association board

Following the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives (IAEC) 2023 Annual Meeting in December, the board reorganized and selected Kenny VandenBerg, board president at Chariton Valley Electric Cooperative (CVEC) in Albia, as the new IAEC board president. VandenBerg has previously served as the secretary/treasurer on the statewide board which is comprised of 7 elected directors and 3 ex officio directors.

VandenBerg is no stranger to the co-op board room. With 4 years of service on the IAEC board, 13 years serving on the local CVEC board and 5 years of service on the board for the Iowa Institute for Cooperatives, VandenBerg is prepared to take the helm. The IAEC board is presently tasked with finding a new executive vice president as current EVP Chuck Soderberg has announced his intentions to retire in July.

“Identifying the right executive to lead the trade association for Iowa’s electric cooperatives is one of the most important tasks that the IAEC board undertakes,” remarked VandenBerg. “Thankfully, we have engaged and educated directors on our board who are committed to the executive search process and finding the best candidate.”

Locally owned electric cooperatives are committed to director education and training, believing that it results in better governance. VandenBerg earned the Certified Cooperative Director credential from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) in 2018 and the Director Gold certification in 2020 and 2023, showing his commitment to industry education.

“This is an unprecedented era of change for the electric cooperative industry. It’s so important for directors to stay up to date on trends and challenges so we can best serve our fellow members,” said VandenBerg.

A lifelong resident of Monroe County, VandenBerg and his wife Peggy are retired and have three grown children and seven grandchildren.