SPENCER ALBERS

Most people don't think about their co-op board, and honestly, that's how it should be. You've got a family, a job, a farm, a shop, a to-do list. But here's the thing: the board is where spending decisions land. Planning decisions. Rate decisions. The stuff that shows up on your bill every single month, whether you're paying attention or not.

I work in energy billing and customer operations, as the Vice President of Sunscription at US Solar. Every day I see how system-level decisions turn into real charges on real bills and real pressure on family budgets. That's exactly the lens I want to bring to the Wright-Hennepin boardroom: when someone proposes a new commitment, my first question will be what it costs members.

I grew up in small-town Wisconsin and have lived in Minnesota for over ten years. My husband Paul and I live south of Annandale. I'm not a politician. I'm a member who thinks District 5 deserves someone on the board who shows up every month with fresh eyes and hard questions about where your money is going.

The current District 5 director has held the seat since 1987. That's nearly four decades of service, and I respect it. But I think healthy governance benefits from new perspectives, and members benefit when they have a real choice. That's why I'm running.

If elected, here's what you can expect from me: I'll show up to every board meeting, ask what major decisions cost members, and stay focused on the things that actually affect your bill. I can't promise to fix everything, but I can promise to pay attention.