North Central Electric Cooperative employee recognized for community service
The North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC) recognized Lisa Mastvelton, a North Central Electric Cooperative (NCEC) employee, with the Community Service Award at its 81st annual meeting Feb. 13. The award recognizes Mastvelton’s strong commitment to her community, which is demonstrated through her efforts to implement two charitable programs at her local electric cooperative – an employee-funded scholarship program and the Willie Wiredhand Christmas Giving Fund.
“Lisa’s generosity and forward-thinking have made an impact in the lives of many, and her actions have inspired others to do the same,” says NDAREC General Manager and Executive Vice President Josh Kramer. “Through her work with the Willie Wiredhand Christmas Giving Fund and NCEC’s employee scholarship program, Lisa has made a lasting impact on both her community and her co-op. It is a true honor to present her with this award.”
One of Mastvelton’s proudest accomplishments, the Willie Wiredhand Christmas Giving Fund, has delivered holiday cheer to families in need since 2013. Driven to serve her community, Mastvelton dreamt of creating a charitable fund to help those less fortunate have a brighter Christmas. With the support of NCEC, Mastvelton’s vision was brought to life. Over the past 11 years, the fund has raised about $40,000, providing Christmas gifts, household essentials, clothing and holiday meals to families in need. Once funded only by employees, the fund now receives additional donations from vendors, power suppliers, co-op directors and members.
Mastvelton was also instrumental in the realization of NCEC’s employee-supported scholarship fund, which provides academic scholarships to area youth in memory of former NCEC employees. Thanks to Mastvelton’s leadership, nearly all the co-op’s employees participate in the program, helping develop future community leaders.
“I have had the great pleasure of working with Lisa for almost 20 years at NCEC,” says Jon Beyer, general manager, NCEC. “Day in and day out, Lisa exemplifies the cooperative principle of concern for community. Her commitment to not only the members of NCEC but to the communities our cooperative serves is inspiring.”
Every year, NDAREC recognizes individuals for their generous contributions to North Dakota’s electric cooperatives and the communities they serve. An eight-member committee of the NDAREC board of directors selects award recipients from nominations submitted by the association’s members, which include 17 electric distribution cooperatives and five generation and transmission cooperatives.
NDAREC is the statewide trade association for 17 electric distribution cooperatives and five generation and transmission cooperatives operating in North Dakota. The distribution cooperatives provide electricity to nearly 250,000 North Dakotans. NDAREC services include legislative advocacy, lineworker safety training, professional development, cooperative business development and communication services, including publication of the North Dakota Living magazine.