UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS
Chamber News
Gwen Stevens, Chamber Board Chair, Selected as Next CEO of People’s Energy Cooperative
decade. Her leadership, integrity, and passion for serving our members make her the ideal person to lead the Cooperative into the future. I look forward to supporting her during this transition and watching her take PEC to new heights.” A native to the Rochester area, Stevens holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing management from Concordia University – St. Paul and is on track to complete her MBA in organizational leadership from the University of Northwestern – St. Paul this year. She is a graduate of the National
The People’s Energy Cooperative (PEC) Board of Directors announced the selection of Gwen Stevens as the Cooperative’s next President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Stevens will succeed current President and CEO Mike Henke, who will remain in the role through the end of 2025.
Stevens, currently serving as Vice President of Cooperative Relations, brings more than two decades of management experience, including 11 years in executive leadership at PEC. Her deep understanding of cooperative governance, strategic planning, member engagement, and legislative advocacy uniquely positions her to lead PEC into its next chapter. Mike Henke, current President and CEO, shared his confidence in the Board’s decision: “Gwen has been a driving force behind many of our initiatives over the past
Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Robert I. Kabat Management Internship Program and has led numerous strategic initiatives at PEC, including improvements to the Cooperative’s safety initiatives, employee and leadership development, economic development efforts, and legislative relations.
Linking Leaders and Industry
In July, the Chamber and Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) teamed up to host a Linking Leaders & Industry session. This event aims to give a Rochester business the opportunity to discuss impacts from policy decisions, operational goals and challenges, and provide a tour of their facility to elected leaders. This session was attended by local, state, and federal representatives who engaged in productive conversations and created meaningful connections. We extend our thanks to RCTC for hosting and to all who attended!
Presenting Sponsor
OCTOBER 2025 — ROCHESTER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ADVANTAGE MAGAZINE | 33
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