Huber to lead Rural Electric and Telecommunications Development Center
The North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC) welcomes Ellen Huber as its rural development director. Huber will lead a team of rural development experts dedicated to supporting the growth and expansion of North Dakota businesses and cooperatives and improving quality of life in rural North Dakota.
“When it comes to economic and community development, Ellen has a long track record of success. We are excited to have someone with her experience, talent and dedication join our team,” says Josh Kramer, NDAREC executive vice president and general manager.
For nearly 20 years, Huber has sought to address challenges in rural areas by offering expertise in program and project management, marketing and communications, grant writing, advocacy, collaboration and training. From 2006 to 2022, she served as the City of Mandan’s business development and communications director. In this role, she connected new and existing businesses with resources to assist in their launch and growth, while also guiding initiatives to build community vibrancy and meet local needs. She later launched her own consulting service dedicated to growing small towns and small businesses.
In her new position, Huber will direct the work of the Rural Electric and Telecommunications (RE&T) Development Center. Supported by North Dakota’s electric and telecommunications cooperatives and a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant, the RE&T Development Center promotes rural economic development through consultation, technical assistance, financing programs and education.
Huber succeeds Lori Capouch, who will retire July 1 after dedicating more than 30 years to rural economic development. In her time at NDAREC, Capouch has provided cooperative, business and economic development assistance to countless communities, cooperatives and entrepreneurs.
“Lori has been a champion for rural communities in countless ways, both seen and unseen. We wish her the best in retirement and thank her for making our rural communities better places to live, work and raise a family,” Kramer says. “I am confident the transition of leadership will be seamless, and we look forward to the impact Ellen will have on our mission to improve quality of life on behalf of our members and people in rural North Dakota.”
NDAREC is the statewide trade association for 16 electric distribution cooperatives and five generation and transmission cooperatives operating in North Dakota. The distribution cooperatives provide electricity to more than 250,000 North Dakotans. NDAREC services include legislative advocacy, line worker safety training and professional development services, cooperative business development, and communication services including publication of the North Dakota Living magazine.