HERMAN C. POTTHAST AWARD
Herman C. Potthast, a man of great dedication to the training and safety of the Rural Electric Employees, served the Wisconsin Rural Electric Cooperative for 29 years. For 19 years he was a Supervising Instructor in Rural Electrification with the Wisconsin Schools of Vocational and Adult Education. He was General Chairman of the National Safety Council’s Utility Section. He helped produce two instructional motion pictures on electrical safety procedures, which are being used for training purposes throughout the United States and 14 foreign countries. He served as Wisconsin Job Training and Safety Coordinator from 1943 to 1962. While serving in this capacity, he set up training programs for the distribution line personnel, which included JT&S meetings for all employees, Indentured Lineman Apprentice Training, foreman and supervisory training, and numerous technical job related sessions.
He joined the REA staff in May 1962, as Field Safety Officer in Wisconsin. In 1966 he was transferred to Washington, D.C. In July, 1971, he was named Chief of the Borrowers’ Safety Staff. Mr. Potthast passed away on February 29, 1972.
Because of his outstanding service, dedication, leadership, and cooperation, the Wisconsin Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Job Training & Safety Department has presented a memorial plaque, Herman C. Potthast Award, to be given annually to the worker in Wisconsin rural electrification who best represents those qualities of dedication, leadership, cooperation, and service that were exemplified by “Potty.”
The following factors should be considered as representing the philosophy and ideals of Herman C. Potthast:
- The value of being a competent tradesman
- Apprenticeship programs as means of training
- Self-improvement by the individual
- Technical understanding of the job
- Importance and value of job safety
- Belief in rural electrification movement
- Interest in fellow man
- Willingness to share knowledge
- Does he/she have the respect of his/her fellow worker?
- Does he/she inspire the respect of his/her subordinates?
- Does he/she have the confidence of his/her supervisor and bosses?
- Does he/she have a good technical understanding of his/her job?
- Has he/she demonstrated the ability to act as a leader?
- Has he/she demonstrated a consistent safety consciousness in his/her work?
- Does he/she set a good example in safety performances?
- Has he/she demonstrated the willingness and ability to teach the craft to others?
- Has he/she taken part in community affairs outside of his/her job?
- Has he/she been active in statewide groups or associations?
- Does he/she actively encourage safety among others?
- Does he/she help to create a good image for his/her employer?
- Is he/she effective in fostering good member and public relations to the extent permitted by his/her job?
- Does he/she consistently try for self-improvement beyond the requirements of his/her job?
- Has he/she shown an interest in developing the ability of his/her subordinates by delegating responsibility and authority?
- Is he/she familiar with the policies and practices of his/her organization?
- Has he/she shown a high degree of competency in whatever his/her job may be?
| Year | Award Winner | Title | Cooperative |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Jerome Sowieja | Line Superintendent | Clark Electric Cooperative |
| 1974 | Lloyd McCaskey | Manager | Oakdale Electric Cooperative |
| 1975 | Elmer Kallevang | Operations Administrator | Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative |
| 1976 | Fred Titera | Foreman | Barron Electric Cooperative |
| 1977 | Oscar Lahti | Manager | Bayfield Electric Cooperative |
| 1978 | Jim Cleary | Manager | Jump River Electric Cooperative |
| 1979 | Louis Vesperman | Line Superintendent | Grant Electric Cooperative |
| 1980 | Ray Jones | Area Supervisor | Dairyland Power Cooperative |
| 1981 | Norman Nelson | Line Superintendent | Barron Electric Cooperative |
| 1982 | John Holley | El. Operations Manager | Oconto Electric Cooperative |
| 1983 | Harold Barg | Line Superintendent | St. Croix Electric Cooperative |
| 1984 | Jon Steinhaus | Manager | Adams-Marquette Electric Cooperative |
| 1985 | Daniel Hoag, Jr. | Line Superintendent | Oakdale Electric Cooperative |
| 1986 | Eldon Eaton | Program Director | Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association (JT&S) |
| 1987 | Conrad Engstrom, Jr. | Operations Manager | Vernon Electric Cooperative |
| 1988 | Joseph DeMeulenaere | Instructor | Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association (JT&S) |
| 1989 | Charles Parr | Instructor | Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association (JT&S) |
| 1990 | Gerald DeWolfe | Line Superintendent | Pierce-Pepin Electric Cooperative |
| 1991 | Jim Hayward | Journeyman Lineman | Oakdale Electric Cooperative |
| 1991 | Scott Brookman | Journeyman Lineman | Oakdale Electric Cooperative |
| 1992 | Darrell Peterson | Operations Manager | Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative |
| 1993 | Leonard Pierzyna | Operations Manager | Trempealeau Electric Cooperative |
| 1994 | Dean Baldwin | Manager | Buffalo Electric Cooperative |
| 1995 | Jean Everson | Member Service | Trempealeau Electric Cooperative |
| 1996 | Dennis Schultz | Operations Manager | Rock County Electric Cooperative Association |
| 1997 | Dan Stelpflug | Operations Manager | Grant-Lafayette Electric Cooperative |
| 1998 | Tony Ernst | Lineman | Head of the Lakes Electric Cooperative |
| 1999 | Dave Oelkers | General Manager | Riverland Energy Cooperative |
| 2000 | Noble Larson | Operations Manager | Eau Claire Energy Cooperative |
| 2001 | Bob Moseley | Director of Operations | Clark Electric Cooperative |
| 2002 | Jon Ebert | Operations Manager | Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative |
| 2003 | Dave Woyicki | Operations Manager | Riverland Energy Cooperative |
| 2004 | Garry Christopherson | Director, Safety & Security | Dairyland Power Cooperative |
| 2005 | Allan Klaus | Chief Operating Officer | Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative |
| 2006 | Terry Tiber | Engineering Superintendent | Oakdale Electric Cooperative |
| 2007 | Wayne Miller | Line Superintendent | Taylor Electric Cooperative |
| 2008 | Mike Stamper | Manager, Safety (Dist. Co-ops) | Dairyland Power Cooperative |
| 2009 | Jim Heizler | VP, Electric Operations | Price Electric Cooperative |
| 2010 | Mike Most | VP, Electric Operations | Pierce-Pepin Cooperative Services |
| 2011 | Tim Engel | Lineman | Barron Electric Cooperative |
| 2011 | Jeff Secraw | Lineman | Barron Electric Cooperative |
| 2012 | Scott Hayes | Load Management Technician | Riverland Energy Cooperative |
| 2013 | Scott Bailen | Lineman | Clark Electric Cooperative |
| 2013 | Josh Burns | Lineman | Clark Electric Cooperative |
| 2014 | Doug Lewis | Manager, Safety (Dist. Co-ops) | Dairyland Power Cooperative |
| 2015 | Henry “Hank” Meierotto | Operations Manager | Bayfield Electric Cooperative |
| 2016 | Ken Miller | Manager, Safety | Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative |
| 2017 | Nathan Steines | Director of Operations | Barron Electric Cooperative |
| 2018 | Lance Burke | Safety Manager for Power Delivery | Dairyland Power Cooperative |
| 2019 | Jim Hodowanic | Operations Manager | Chippewa Valley Electric Cooperative |
| 2020 | Tim Clay | VP of Operations | Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association |
| 2021 | Larry Hallett | Chief Operations Officer | Richland Electric Cooperative |
| 2022 | Benjamin Bella | Safety & Loss Control Manager, Shared Services |
Eau Claire Energy Cooperative Jackson Electric Cooperative Oakdale Electric Cooperative Riverland Energy Cooperative |
| 2023 | Wendy Fassbind | Director of Education & Events | Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association |
| 2024 |
