NLI: Northern Lights, Inc. > Carousel > 91st Annual Meeting of the Membership

91st Annual Meeting of the Membership

Northern Lights’ Annual Meeting Blends Community, Education & Cooperative Business

From left, Northern Lights board members Jill Vandegrift, Steve Klatt, General Manager Annie Terracciano, and Board President Dr. Steve Elgar gather at the annual meeting. Photos by Samantha Skinner

Spring in North Idaho is notoriously unpredictable, and the days leading up to Northern Lights, Inc.’s annual meeting were no exception. Chilly temperatures and rain settled over the cooperative’s headquarters in Sagle, Idaho, where a tent stood ready in the parking lot for the April 27 event.

Less than 2 hours before the meeting began, the rain lifted, and the sun broke through, casting a welcoming glow over the headquarters. Nearly 500 Northern Lights members, employees, and guests gathered for the evening, making it the highest-attended annual meeting in recent years.

With the smell of Woods’ smokies roasting over briquettes, guests enjoyed a meal of smoked sausage with chips and cookies, along with coffee and hot cocoa.

As a thank-you for attending, each member received a gift and a $25 energy credit. Drake and Virginia Mesenbrink won a $100 energy credit. The Mesenbrinks were drawn at random from a list of members who helped make the registration process easier by bringing their annual meeting postcard with the unique QR code for quick scanning at check-in.

Northern Lights members watch a safety demo.

Before the formal meeting began, members had the opportunity to explore information tables covering topics such as solar energy, vegetation management, wildfire mitigation, and the importance of calling 811 before digging. A game and a photo booth with playful props added to the festive atmosphere, giving families and neighbors a chance to enjoy the time together.

1 of the evening’s most memorable features was a high-voltage safety demonstration by Northern Lights’ linemen. Using a live, energized trailer designed to replicate overhead and underground power lines, transformers, and fuses, the line crew gave a vivid demonstration of the real-world dangers of electricity.

The demonstration showed what can happen when a person comes into contact with 7,200 volts of electricity—a situation that is often fatal. Attendees also saw how dangerous it can be when trees fall into power lines, kites contact overhead equipment, someone digs into an underground line, or downed lines contact vehicles or machinery.

Members connect during the 91st annual meeting on April 27. Northern Lights linemen help retired Lineman Don Roos, center, grill more than 125 pounds of smokies, and a few veggie dogs for members.

Following the demonstrations and community activities, the annual meeting was officially called to order by Northern Lights Board President Dr. Steve Elgar, marking the start of the business portion of the evening.

Northern Lights Lineman Cody Bradshaw delivered the invocation. After the Pledge of Allegiance, the Sandpoint High School Chamber Choir—fresh off its appearance at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival—performed the national anthem and then delighted the crowd with the song that helped the choir earn first place at the jazz festival, “You Take Me Away.”

Susan Weeks, J.D., of James, Vernon and Weeks, provided oversight for the meeting, confirming the quorum, reading the meeting notice, and reviewing minutes from the previous year. General Manager Annie Terracciano said Northern Lights continues to make strong, strategic investments to serve its growing communities with safe, reliable power. She highlighted infrastructure upgrades, substation improvements, wildfire mitigation efforts, and enhanced system protections, emphasizing the cooperative’s commitment to balancing reliability, financial strength, and public safety. Her message underscored Northern Lights’ dedication to responsible stewardship, member value, and long-term resilience of the communities it serves.

5 of this year’s scholarship recipients pose with their certificates.

The auditor’s report was presented by Keith Simovic, of Baker Tilly, who reported an unmodified opinion, often referred to as a clean opinion. This designation confirms the cooperative’s financial statements are presented fairly in all material respects and comply with accounting standards.

In his president’s report, Steve reaffirmed the board’s commitment to providing oversight for the cooperative. He commended Northern Lights staff for their dedication throughout the year, particularly during the severe weather events in December 2025 and March 2026. He also reminded members of the importance of energy conservation. He recognized the cooperative’s 2026 scholarship recipients, celebrating their hard work and promising futures.

Among the honorees was Weston Smith, a Sandpoint High School senior, who received a $3,000 lineworker scholarship to support his formal training to become a lineman.

8 additional students were awarded $1,500 scholarships to support college or career technical education. The recipients were Colby Dyk and CayliJo Giard, of Sandpoint High School; Kiana Kelly, of Timberlake High School; Andrew Lehman, a Sandpoint High School graduate attending Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Washington; Brady Packer, a Sandpoint graduate and junior at Boise State University; Gabrielle Hannum, of Thompson Falls High School; Rebecca Heilman, a Clark Fork High School graduate and nursing student at Lewis-Clark State College; and Jaylee Meyers, of Troy High School.

Northern Lights Board President Dr. Steve Elgar speaks with a member before calling the meeting to order.

As the sun began to set and the meeting adjourned, members lingered to visit with cooperative staff and one another, reflecting on an evening that was as informative as it was celebratory. 1 line from Annie’s remarks captured the spirit of the event. “What truly sets Northern Lights apart is our people,” she said.

Annie closed by thanking attendees for coming and reminding members that they remain the most important part of Northern Lights.