The North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC) is proud to welcome Chris Gessele as the newest addition to its organization. Gessele began Sept. 25 in his new role as a cooperative development specialist, helping to support the growth and expansion of rural businesses and cooperatives across North Dakota.

“NDAREC and our member cooperatives are committed to improving the quality of life in the communities we serve. Chris will help us fulfill this important goal,” says Josh Kramer, NDAREC executive vice president and general manager. “Chris brings a wealth of experience and the ambition to make things better. Among his responsibilities, he will work to improve access to food, including fresh and local items. The ability to purchase food locally is key to sustaining the communities where our members live, work and play.”

Raised on a farm near Mercer, Gessele is no stranger to cooperatives or rural North Dakota. After graduating from the University of North Dakota in 2007, Gessele worked as an editor and reporter for the Hazen Star, where he became deeply embedded in his new community. He was introduced to the cooperative business model in 2012, when he accepted a staff writer position at Basin Electric Power Cooperative. Most recently, he worked as a marketing communications consultant for National Information Solutions Cooperative.

“Chris’s work and life experiences have provided intimate knowledge of rural communities and the cooperative business model, making him well poised to succeed in his new position at NDAREC,” Kramer says.

Gessele lives in Bismarck with his wife, Alyssa, and their three sons, Cohen, 8, Nash, 5, and Hayes, 3.

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.