Spirit of giving defines director

Ann Reich carries a briefcase instead of a big red bag.

Ann Reich serves as a board director for the co-op. In May 2006, she returned to the North Dakota Banker's Association as director of member relations and NDBA Services Inc. Also this past May, after 22 years with the Pearce & Durick law firm, Dave was appointed as a district court judge. Their daughter, Kristen, is a junior at Bismarck High School.

It’s not filled with toys—but it doesn’t matter. She still gives more to this community than Santa Claus.

Ann and her husband, Dave, learned years ago that it’s more satisfying to give than to receive. And they’ve given a lot … to their family, to their careers and to the community. They chaired the first United Way “Day of Caring,” helped with Folkfest and served on their church council.

“We’ve spent a lot of time volunteering because we believe in helping others,” she says. “You learn a lot by being involved and we’ve met so many wonderful people.”

Five years ago, Ann ran for and was elected by the membership to serve on the Capital Electric Cooperative board of directors.

“I am humbled and honored to serve on the CEC board. Every decision is based on what is good for our members,” Ann says. “We can settle for no less. We are a business model based on serving the people.”

Tracing her cooperative roots

Ann grew up on a small dairy and grain farm outside of Kenmare. She felt the influence of cooperatives at an early age, thanks to the presence of local businesses like the Farmer’s Union Cooperative and Burke-Divide Electric Cooperative.

She attended the University of North Dakota and earned an undergraduate degree in journalism and a master’s degree in speech communication. While in college, she met Dave, a political science major with goals of going to law school. After graduating in 1982, he was offered a valued one-year position as a clerk for the North Dakota Supreme Court. The next year, he entered into private practice with the Pearce & Durick law firm. Ann and Dave married in 1984 and made Bismarck their home.

When Ann learned about an assistant education director position available at the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC), she eagerly applied.

“I always read the North Dakota LIVING magazine, followed energy issues and knew that the energy industry was at the heart of North Dakota’s economy. When I was offered the position at Statewide, it was like going home,” she says.

Applying the cooperative philosophy

Ann says she cares about the user at the end of the line. "What matters most to me is that the people are well-served. That means reliability, the best possible rates and exceptional service."

Ann worked at NDAREC for seven years and was promoted to the position of education director. When she and Dave chose to start a family, Ann left a job she loved to be at home with their baby daughter, Kristen.

Over the next year and a half, Ann worked by word-of-mouth doing communication training and consulting. The North Dakota Banker’s Association (NDBA) requested her services for a six-week project involving strategic planning. Those six weeks turned into 10 years as Ann began to oversee the association’s communication and marketing programs. In 2001, she left the association to again focus on teaching, training and consulting. For five years, she worked with college students and business professionals in the areas of leadership, communications, mentoring and public relations. Then in May of 2006, she returned to NDBA as director of member relations and NDBA Services, Inc.

Ann says the philosophy of NDBA parallels that of a cooperative, because both associations strive to meet their members’ needs.

“Associations exist to serve the needs of their members. It is amazing what happens when people join together for a common cause that benefits the entire group. I love the Touchstone Energy® theme of our nation’s electric cooperatives--the power of human connections,” she says. “The focus is always on the member and that inspires me to serve and do my very best at my job and in the board room.”

Relying on firsthand experience

The Reich family moved south of Bismarck eight years ago and became Capital Electric members. Ann called the co-op and asked how she could become involved. She joined the Member Advisory Board and was elected to serve on the Operation Round Up Board.

“I think of all the different perspectives I’ve gained through the various opportunities in my career and through community service. I wouldn’t change any of them for the world because all of those different opinions, ideas and cultures have taught me a lot. There is value to be gained in listening to different perspectives,” she says.

Ann believes that having worked for NDAREC has provided valuable background on the electric cooperative network to bring to the boardroom. Plus, growing up in rural North Dakota instilled the values that define cooperatives--integrity, accountability, innovation and commitment to community.

“It’s about the user at the end of the line. By electing fellow members to serve those users, our member-owners can know that we are looking out for their best interests. What matters most to me is that the people are well-served. That means reliability, the best possible rates and exceptional service,” she says.