Boyne City, MI – Great Lakes Energy (GLE) members recently elected three board members to the cooperative’s board of directors. Election results were announced at the cooperative’s annual business meeting on Aug. 27, 2025.
In District 6, incumbent Janet Andersen of Ludington was re-elected, receiving 775 votes in an uncontested race.
In District 8, incumbent Howard Bowersox of Stanwood prevailed over challenger Andrew (Drew) Laughlin of Marion by a 534-390 margin.
In District 9, incumbent John LaForge of Delton was re-elected, receiving 446 votes in an uncontested race.
GLE members in voting Districts 6 (Lake and Mason counties), 8 (Clare, Mecosta, Newaygo, and Osceola counties), and 9 (Allegan, Barry, Kent, Montcalm, and Ottawa counties) received their mail-in ballots in the July/August issue of Michigan Country Lines magazine.
This year’s election marked the third year members had the option of voting online. Instructions for online voting were included with the mail-in ballots. GLE’s election management vendor, Survey and Ballot Systems of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, processed both online and mail-in ballots. The election concluded on Aug. 21 and results were announced at the cooperative’s annual business meeting on Aug. 27 at its headquarters in Boyne City.
Unlike investor-owned utilities, GLE is a not-for-profit business owned by its consumer-members. Board members are elected to three-year terms by members, not staff, with each member’s vote carrying equal weight. The cooperative conducts an annual meeting to update members on the progress made during the past year and to announce the results of director elections.
GLE provides electricity to more than 130,000 rural members in 26 counties along the western side of the Lower Peninsula. Visit gtlakes.com for more information.
Anyone within our service territory can become a member — no discrimination, no barriers.