A little over 20 years ago, I wrote my first column as the manager of your cooperative. This column will be my last. I contemplated all the things I could write about. While immensely proud of many accomplishments over the past two decades, I choose to look forward and not back. I will leave my legacy to you, the readers, and not rehash history.

What’s ahead for me? As Michigan representative and president of the board, I will serve beside cooperative board members from 47 other states on the board for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association until March of 2026. I will volunteer my time for as long as possible to the Cooperative Family Fund, a nationwide nonprofit serving kids who lose a parent who was a full-time co-op employee at any of the 900 electric cooperatives nationwide. Finally, as much as possible, I will enjoy my wife, grown children, and grandkids at our home in Elk Rapids and on the clear blue waters of Elk Lake. (Wave at the old guy in the red chairs just past the no-wake zone on the river or stop by the house with the only Green Bay Packer mailbox in town).

At your cooperative, the future is so very bright. The board has named Rachel Johnson as your next CEO. Rachel has been a valuable member of my management team for the past 10 years. She has all the things you will need in the years ahead—youthful energy, passion for our mission, great intelligence, work ethic beyond compare, and a commitment to our communities. There should be no talk of “filling shoes.” Rachel is a leader with the confidence and talent to walk her own path.

Below Rachel, Frank Siepker will continue to lead an engineering and operations team with talent and depth. CFO Mark Wilson will train and guide the financial team, who will keep the cooperative numbers on the right track. Operations Supervisor Jeff Puffer has a very strong team of linemen that will be with the cooperative for a long while. Over in the HR department, Kerry Kalbfleisch retired in March after 13 years of dedicated service. She was replaced by Deidre Charnes, who comes with solid experience. Going into the future, the management team I have leaned on is solidly in place to support Rachel, as they have held me up for years.

The remaining employees are just as strong. Over the years, I have overseen the hiring of 57 of the 60 employees who will keep the lights on in the years ahead. I have all the confidence in the world that there is great talent willing and able to serve far into the future. It is a cliché, but your cooperative really is in good hands.

I won’t be far away. While I am confident that my phone won’t ring, I will always be ready to lend a hand to help, an ear to listen, or advice from years gone by. Cherryland will forever be in my heart. I feel so lucky to have had this time to serve all the members of your cooperative.

I believe I have received more than I have given over the past 20 years. I can only hope that you all give the people who remain as much as you have given me. Together, Cherryland Electric Cooperative will grow, improve, and remain a source of pride for everyone.

My long goodbye is over. I know that I will fade from collective memories in time. That’s okay. It’s part of life and part of moving forward. Please know that your place in my heart will last until my ultimate goodbye.