Haaven hangs it up at Wild Rice Electric

After 47 years at Wild Rice Electric, CEO, Steve Haaven,retires.

Growing up in McIntosh, MN, Steve Haaven was more than delighted when Wild Rice Electric Cooperative offered him a job as an Engineering Aide in October of 1973 because he knew the opportunity meant he and his wife would be able to live close to the communities in which they called home. Steve, the oldest of 3 boys in his family, lived in the city of McIntosh, but enjoyed working with his grandfather on his rural farm, building a strong work ethic and creating great memories. Following high school graduation, Haaven pursued a business degree at Moorhead State University in Moorhead, MN. Steve also gained experience working summers on the line crew at Garden Valley Telephone while home from college.

 After his start at Wild Rice Electric, it didn’t take long for Steve to be promoted as he was offered the Office Manager position in 1975. Steve and his wife Candace moved to Mahnomen as she was offered a music teaching position in Waubun, MN. She later accepted a position at the Win-E-Mac school and the Haaven’s made their home in the communities in which they grew up.

 In 1987 Haaven was named CEO of Wild Rice Electric positioning him as the 5th Manager in the Coop’s history which started in October of 1939. “Things sure have evolved over the years. I can remember the coop purchasing its first office calculator with a price that seemed astronomical at the time. I remember times the tape on the calculator could stretch across the room. Now, it seems that way more can be accomplished on your smart phone.”

 In Haaven’s 47 years at the cooperative, there have been 30 different directors to serve on the board, 24 of which while Haaven was CEO. “The board has been very supportive of the cooperative and decisions are made with the best interest of the membership. I feel blessed to have worked for a company that is member-owned, memberfocused and member-driven.” 

Haaven stated that over his time at Wild Rice Electric, he is most proud of the service that has been provided to our members and the excellent work and response to the members the Coop’s employees have demonstrated. Haaven went on to say that he has been involved with the hiring process of every current employee with the cooperative as well as many that have already retired. “All have become like family. A comradery has been developed amongst them and it’s simply been a great team effort by everyone.” Haaven added that “there are advantages in our new employees coming into our industry as their ideas paired with technology are able to help enhance what has been accomplished over the years.”

 Haaven is no stranger to being involved. Current director Russ Okeson whom has served on the board of directors at Wild Rice Electric for over 40 years says “Haaven is greatly respected by his peers in our industry, not only on a local level, but a state and national level as well as Haaven has served on a magnitude of community and cooperative boards, many of which he was the chairman.” Some of Haaven’s committee and board involvement includes representing our region on the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC) as well as 23 years as the chairman of Carr’s Tree Service, a company owned by a number of electrical cooperatives including Wild Rice Electric. Okeson added “Steve has guided Wild Rice Electric through a number of challenges over the years and he should be very proud of the leadership he has displayed for the members of the cooperative.”

Board Chairman Jeff Nornes stated that he has “never met someone whom walks and talks Wild Rice Electric as much as Steve. He fits this job, knows his job in and out and the best interests of the cooperative members are on his mind all the time, he will truly be missed.” Steve and his wife Candace enjoy traveling, spending time with family and friends and attending sporting events. Steve commented that his wife Candace has been extremely supportive of his career and willing to accommodate schedules and plans, even those that would change at the last minute. The Haaven’s have 2 children; Jeff (Heidi) Haaven and Tiffany (Chris) Wirth as well as 5 grandchildren whom live in the area and hope to spend more time with them during retirement. Haaven’s final day in the office will be October 30th. We wish Steve and his wife Candace many happy, healthy years of enjoyable retirement and thank him for the decades of faithful service to the members of Wild Rice Electric Cooperative. Congratulations Steve, we wish you the very best!