The Lake Region Electric Association Board of Directors has selected Jeremy Lindemann as the next General Manager and CEO. Board president Kermit Pearson announced that Jeremy is scheduled to begin his new duties on Oct. 1. 
   The board conducted an extensive search and interview process before offering the position to Lindemann, a veteran cooperative leader. LREA Board President Kermit Pearson stated, “We are pleased to have Jeremy lead our cooperative into the future. 
His years of co-op experience have helped him develop a deep understanding of the current trends and challenges faced by 
co-op members. Jeremy’s passion for the cooperative industry and being a part of a rural community gives us confidence that he will continue the cooperative’s mission to provide affordable and reliable power to our members.”
   Lindemann has worked in the electrical industry for 29 years; 22 of those years at Roseau Electric Cooperative in Roseau, Minn., where he has served as the director of member services for the past 10 years and was previously the key accounts manager. Jeremy continues to educate himself and evolve as a cooperative leader, and active community member. He graduated from the NRECA Management Internship Program (MIP) in 2019 and has served in leadership roles on several state electric cooperative boards. Lindemann shared, “I am excited to join the team at Lake Region Electric Association. I look forward to being part of a great cooperative that has such a strong tradition of exceptional service to its members.” 
   Living and working in Lake Region territory, and all that goes with it, will be a different experience but not an entirely new one for Lindemann. Though he has spent the majority of his career in northern Minnesota, working for a co-op and raising a family, Jeremy grew up in South Dakota. Some of his favorite memories are fishing with his father on Lake Oahe, hunting pheasants on the prairie, and spending many chilly days bow-hunting deer with his brothers. He looks forward to being able to make more of these memories in our great state. Lindemann expressed, “I am very grateful for an opportunity to come back home and to be once again close to family and friends!” 

East River Electric Power Cooperative presented an award to Kermit Pearson in honor of his 35 years of service on the cooperative’s board of directors during the organization’s 74th annual meeting Sept.
4, 2024, in Sioux Falls. 

As a member-owner of Lake Region Electric Cooperative, Pearson has served as the representative for Lake Region Electric on the East River board of directors since 1989. Altogether he has served electric co-ops for over 43 years. He serves as East River Electric’s representative on the Basin Electric board of directors where he’s also board vice president. He also serves on the South Dakota Rural Electric Association board of directors. A former Vo-Ag instructor and manager of the South Dakota State Fair, he’s also been a director on the North Central Livestock Association Board, and an elder at the
First Presbyterian Church. His leadership, involvement, and influence earned him a spot in the South Dakota Co-op Hall of Fame in 2018 

“During Kermit’s tenure on East River’s board, our cooperative family has experienced immense load growth, has developed innovative programs and has maintained our legacy of providing safe, affordable and reliable electricity.” said East River CEO and General Manager Bob Sahr. “East River offers its sincere thanks and appreciation for Kermit’s continued leadership.”

Kermit is a graduate of Britton High School and attended South Dakota State University. He and his wife Peggy live in Lake City on the farmstead his parents settled. They have four children.