MANDAN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) — Arden Fuher, president of Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative, was honored by the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC) with the Cooperative Leadership Award at a ceremony on Feb. 13. The award acknowledges dedication to enhancing the reputation of electric cooperatives, outstanding leadership, and extraordinary commitment to duty.

Josh Kramer, Executive Vice President and General Manager of NDAREC, praised Fuher, stating, “A staunch advocate for the cooperative business model and improving quality of life in rural communities, Arden possesses all the qualities of a strong leader in the cooperative world. He listens to and cares about member concerns, and for the past 38 years, he has worked diligently to ensure their needs are being met. It is a great honor to present him with this award.”

Fuher’s involvement with electric cooperatives began in 1986 when he was elected to the James Valley Electric Cooperative board of directors. During his tenure, he led the cooperative through significant milestones, including the passage of the Territorial Integrity Act and the consolidation of James Valley Electric Cooperative and RSR Electric Cooperative in 2000. Following the consolidation, Fuher continued his service on the board of the newly formed Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative.

Additionally, Fuher has represented his cooperative on the Central Power Electric Cooperative board of directors since 1995. He served as Central Power’s board president from 2001 to 2011 and has also held positions as a director for NDAREC and Basin Electric Power Cooperative. In 2015, Fuher played a key role in implementing a new transmission policy at Basin Electric, marking one of the most significant policy changes in the cooperative’s history.

Beyond his cooperative work, Fuher is active in his community, serving as a church trustee and contributing to organizations such as the Edgeley Golf Course and LaMoure County Summer Musical Theatre. He was instrumental in establishing the Edgeley Area Dollars for Scholars Chapter, which supports high school graduates pursuing higher education.

Thomas Meland, General Manager of Central Power, commended Fuher’s leadership, stating, “I have known Arden for nearly my entire career in the rural electric cooperative program and know him to be a true leader and visionary. In his capacity on the boards on which he has served, he has not been caught up on the minute details, but rather focused on the big picture and strategically preparing for the future.”

NDAREC annually recognizes individuals for their contributions to North Dakota’s electric cooperatives and the communities they serve. Award recipients are selected by an eight-member committee of the NDAREC board of directors from nominations submitted by the association’s members, which include 17 electric distribution cooperatives and five generation and transmission cooperatives.