Board Biographies
Dist 1 – Francis (Mike) Kornemann:
Retired from the board effective November 1, 2009. Mike has served on this board for 30 years. He will be missed and we wish him the very best on his relocation to South Dakota.
Dist 2 – Francis Hayes:
Francis was born in 1931 at Belle Fourche SD and was raised at Ridge, MT where he spent all his life on a ranch. High school years were spent in Belle Fourche. In 1955, he married Elsa L. Lokan and they raised four children. Francis learned to fly in 1951, receiving his private license in 1952, commercial license in 1953 and instructor's license in 1954. Through the years he did some charter flying, crop spraying and helped neighbors locate their livestock. In 1963, Francis started a 3 yr art course at home through the Famous Artist Course. He continues to paint western pictures and portraits. Francis was elected to the Board at SECO in 1976. He was Chairperson for 14 yrs and has served on the Midwest Electric Consumers Board for 16 yrs.
Dist 3 – Erlend Laird:
Erlend was born in 1938 in the same house that he and his wife, Thealou, live in today. Following their marriage in 1961, they continued to operate the family ranch and raised three children. They also have four grandchildren. Erlend graduated from Carter County High School and attended MSU Bozeman. He has ranched, farmed and flown airplanes all his life. In 1963, he was elected to SECO's Board. He has also been active on the Boards of Montana Electric Coopertives' Assoc (MECA) and Upper Missouri Generation and Transmission Electric Cooperative Inc. (UMG&T). Erlend feels he has had the pleasure of working with three good managers at SECO, three at MECA, three at UMG&T and three at Basin Electric Power Cooperative where the bulk of SECO's electric energy has come from for more than fifty years. His hobbies are flying, flying and fishing. He does not figure on retiring; just changing jobs.
Dist 5 – Leroy (Whitey) Jardee:
Leroy is better known at "Whitey" and was born and raised in Carter County. He graduated from Carter County High School in 1965 and returned to the family ranch where he has lived since. He worked occasionally for neighbors and also sheared sheep on various crews. Whitey and wife, Norma (Teigen) have two grown children who also ranch in Carter Co. He served several years on the Farmers Union Board and also on the Carter Co. Predator Board. He was elected to the Southeast Electric Board in 1981. Hobbies include playing cards and attending high school sporting events which, of course, involves watching the grandchildren.
Dist 6 – Karen Kreitel:
Karen was raised on the family ranch near Ekalaka. She graduated from Carter County High School in 1978, Eastern Wyoming College in 1980 and Chadron State College with a B.S. in Education in 1982. Karen and husband, Les, have enjoyed ranching life for many years. Their daughter, Dana, was born in 1985. Among other interests, working cows, roping and walking remain the top choices. Karen became an EMT in 2006 and works with other volunteer EMTs in Carter County. She works at Farm Services Agency.
Dist 7 – Charles Guyer:
Charles was born in Ekalaka in 1927 and lived most of his life on the homestead of his parents in Carter County. Elementary schooling was in the one room O'Fallon Creek School located 3 miles from the ranch. The Guyers rode in a one-horse cart or horseback to school. Four years of high school was attended at Carter Co. High School in Ekalaka. After serving in the Navy Air Corps, he was honorably discharged in July 1946. Donna L. Stieg became Mrs. Guyer in 1953 and they lived in Miles City where Charles worked for the PCA while Donna was secretary for Nance Motors. In 1955, Charles and Donna purchased a ranch close to the home ranch and combined the two. They began raising Hereford cattle and later changed to Black Angus. Charles and Donna's family is comprised of 4 boys and 1 girl, all of whom grew up on the ranch, were schooled locally, found lifemates and are happy in their respective careers. Two are doctors, three are teachers, one accountant, one USAF Colonel and one rancher. Charles and Donna have 10 grandchildren. Charles became a director for SECO in 1983 and it has been a "learning experience". He received is Credentialed Cooperative Certification in 1992 and Re-certification in 1998. Other occupations include Clerk of a Rural School District including Chairman of the County High School; Fieldman for PCA and Program Assistant for the ASCS off and on for 15 years.
Dist 8 – Dave Hayden:
Dave was born and raised on the same ranch that he and wife, Deanna, are now operating. Dave graduated from Baker High School and remained home to assist his parents on the family cattle ranch. Dave and his wife of 25 yrs raised their three children on the ranch as well. In addition to serving on the Board for SECO, he remains active in the volunteer Fire Dept. and has served on the Fallon Co. FSA Board for 9 years. Dave and Deanna enjoy participating in wagon trains and horse related events with their team and covered wagon. He also enjoys hunting and woodworking.
Dist 9 – Herb Schell:
Herb was born in 1934 in the Plevna MT area and has lived all his life in the Plevna-Baker communities. Sonia Webster became his bride in 1958 and they farmed and ranched northwest of Baker. Though semi-retired in 1997, they still reside on the family farm. Herb and Sonia have two children living in Billings. They also enjoy four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Herb has served on many boards and committees including Farmer's Union of Baker, Equity Coop of Baker, Baker Livestock Auction, Fallon Co. A.S.C., Emmanuel Free Church of Plevna. Herb is currently the Chairman of SECO where he has been active on the Board for 7 years.
