Joel Janorschke
Chief Executive Officer
- Email: jjanorschke@lrec.coop
- Office: (218) 863-9865
Cell: (320) 292-4036
Joel was named Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in May 2025 following his most recent tenure as CEO of Cooperative Light & Power (CLP) in Two Harbors, MN. He brings to the position an MBA from St. Cloud State University’s Herberger Business School and an extensive knowledge of our industry gained from over 32+ years’ experience working within electric cooperatives across the state, first as a journeyman lineman and eventually serving in both operations and management roles. As CEO, Joel will focus on collaborating with LREC leaders and staff to create initiatives that enhance our member’s experience, improve communication and further our commitment to providing safe, reliable and affordable energy.
Alan Fazio
Vice President of Engineering & Operations
Alan is the Vice President of Engineering & Operations (E&O) for Lake Region Electric Cooperative (LREC). After completing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering, he later obtained and maintains his Professional Engineering license in the state of MN. Beginning in 1993, he has over 30 years of utility experience with LREC. The E&O department at LREC includes dispatch, staking, metering, warehousing, purchasing, mapping, system planning, vegetation management, fleet management, facilities, and field operations; all of which work together to meet the needs of the LREC membership.
Dylan Aafedt
Vice President of Business Solutions
Dylan joined Lake Region Electric Cooperative (LREC) in 2018 and serves as the Vice President of Business Solutions. He holds a bachelor’s degree in information technology (IT) and has over 10 years of experience in the IT field. Dylan utilizes that skillset to implement new technologies at LREC ranging from automation for internal process improvements to technology in member’s homes, such as battery storage and smart water heater controllers. In addition to IT, Dylan oversees LREC’s energy services, customer service, collections, and marketing departments.
Amanda Fuller
Vice President of Finance/CFO
Amanda joined Lake Region Electric Cooperative in 2018 and is currently the Vice President of Finance/CFO. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant through The Minnesota Board of Accountancy. She has over 11 years of experience in the accounting industry, including financial accounting, management accounting, corporate accounting, and cost accounting. Amanda oversees the billing and accounting departments which are responsible for the monthly billing process, member records, capital credits, financial reporting, cash management, accounts payable, payroll, annual budget, and annual audit.
Steve Haiby
Manager of Energy Services
Steve started his career with LREC in 1999 and serves as the Manager of Energy Services. He is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM), holds a Class A Master Electrician license, and is currently on the Electrical Board of Directors for Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. Steve directly oversees the energy services team to provide LREC members with beneficial electrification and value added services including: demand side management programs, automatic standby generators, GoWest Solar, water heaters, and storage heating systems.
Paul Bergren
Operations Manager
After his service in the military, Paul joined the LREC team in 1990 in the metering department where he worked until getting the opportunity to attend the lineman apprenticeship program. Following his combined 20 years serving in both Journeyman and Lead Lineman roles, Paul was promoted to Operations Superintendent in 2015 before being named as Operations Manager in August 2025. Paul credits all the past linemen for teaching him the trade and the current employees for their willingness to grow as the electrical industry changes and evolves.
Mike Kawlewski
Engineering Manager
Mike joined LREC in 2016 as an Engineer and was promoted to Engineering Manager in August 2025. In this leadership role, he continues to oversee the staking and mapping departments and is responsible for the analysis, protection, planning, and safe operation of LREC’s electric distribution system. Mike brings over 30 years of experience in the telecommunications and power industries. He holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Chemistry and Electrical Engineering from North Dakota State University and is a Registered Professional Engineer.
Molly Haugrud
Member Relations Manager
Molly’s journey with Lake Region Electric Cooperative began in a temporary role as an assistant in the Customer Service Department. In 2005 she was hired full-time as a Customer Service Representative. In June 2021, Molly was promoted to Customer Service Supervisor and held this position until August 2025 when she was promoted to Member Relations Manager. In this role, she directly oversees the Member Services, Consumer Accounting, and Communications departments with a focus on enhancing member engagement, ensuring accurate and efficient account management, and strengthening the cooperative’s communication efforts across all platforms. Molly’s member-first mindset continues to guide her work as she helps shape the cooperative’s efforts to serve and connect with the community.
Dave Hotchkiss
Information Technology (IT) Shared Services Manager
Dave joined LREC in September 2025 as the Information Technology (IT) Shared Services Manager, bringing over 25 combined years of related experience including 15 years in the government sector and a decade working with IT service providers.
A 2002 graduate of Northwest Technical College with an AAS in Microcomputer Networking and Technologies and both an LREC employee and member, he is committed to leveraging his diverse background in support of LREC’s staff and operations to ensure reliable and effective IT solutions that align with the cooperative’s mission and values.