Get to Know the 2025 Director Election Candidates!

District 1

Lynn Christiensen

Lynn and his wife Nancy of 41 years have three daughters and seven grandchildren. 

He has spent his entire life in Harrison County and is a local graduate of Tri-Center Community Schools. For 20 years, Lynn ran his own construction company, and he now farms full time. Lynn is an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church located in Persia. 

In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, hunting, fishing and working on antique cars. When asked why he wants to run as a candidate in the Harrison County REC director election he says, “Living in the country, I know the importance of reliable electricity for homes and farm operations.”

Brenda Lundergard

Brenda, her husband Jason and their two children live in rural Logan. Brenda has served six years on the board and is currently the board secretary. She earned her Credentialed Cooperative Director certificate in March 2020, Board Leadership Certificate in April 2023 and her Director Gold Credential in January 2025. Brenda is on her second year serving as director representative for Harrison County REC on Northwest Iowa Power Cooperative’s (NIPCO) board of directors. Brenda and her husband have owned Lundergard Farms Trucking since 2010 and also farm in the Logan area. Brenda previously worked at Logan-Magnolia School as a paraeducator and substitute in Special Education and volunteers  throughout the community. When she isn’t working, she loves watching her boys participate in school activities and loves family time, camping and boating.

District 3

Tom Bothwell

Tom and his wife Jane live on their acreage northwest of Mondamin. They are the parents of three grown children and have 13 grandchildren. Tom was elected to the co-op board in April 2016 and currently serves as board president. Tom earned his Credentialed Cooperative Director certification and is working toward his next level. He farms with his oldest son Brad and his grandson Corben. Tom is a Vietnam veteran having served at the Korat Airforce Base in Thailand. His hobbies include spending time with family and friends, and he is a member of the Community of Christ Church in Pisgah. When reflecting on his service for Harrison County REC’s board, Tom says, “Being board president and working with our membership has been a great opportunity for me to learn more about the communities we serve. It has been a pleasure getting to know our consumers and working to meet the needs of our members.” 

Victor "Vic" Crowder

Vic Crowder and his wife Mary live in Moorhead and have been Harrison County REC members for nearly 30 years. He is a graduate of West Harrison High School and has his associate’s degree in electronic engineering technology from ITT Tech and served in the U.S. Army. Vic was a previous employee of Harrison County REC serving more than 10 years as an electric service technician. Prior to that role, Vic worked at Vickers Manufacturing where he also served as union president. He enjoys helping his community, including assisting with the Veterans Memorial in Modale and previously serving as a city council member for Mondamin. In his spare time, Vic enjoys riding his Harley and spending time with his two children and three grandchildren. When asked why he wants to join the board, Vic says, “I want to make sure that decisions made are in the best interests of the membership.

District 9

Tim Faylor

Tim Faylor is a Missouri Valley resident with his wife Linda and their two daughters Catherine and Sarah. He has been a member of Harrison County REC since 2010. When asked about what he enjoys most about being a member he says, “I was never so glad to get with the REC.” Tim attended school at West Harrison High School and then went on to graduate from Huron University in South Dakota. After college, Tim returned to Harrison County where he worked with the Harrison County Road Department for 21 years. Now retired, Tim enjoys volunteering for the Harrison County Fair Board, playing Santa Claus for Little Sioux, Magnolia and Mondamin; attending church at the Church of Christ in Mondamin; and donating blood. In his spare time, he likes to play cards and driving his father’s antique tractors in area parades. 

Michele Stirtz

Michele Stirtz is a Missouri Valley native with a bachelor‘s degree from Bellevue University. She previously worked for Iowa Western Community College and Clarkson College as the registrar. Michele enjoys watching her grandchildren and substituting for Missouri Valley Schools. She has also spent the past eight years running the Missouri Valley High School concession stands for various sports. Michele has served the community through the Harrison County Fair Board and enjoys being a vendor at farmers markets. In her spare time, she likes to spend time with her husband Barry, two sons and daughters-in-law, and three grandchildren. When asked why she would enjoy serving on the board of directors, Michele says, “Having lived in Harrison County, I get a lot of satisfaction helping and serving within our community. I believe with my experiences and eagerness to learn I’d be a great fit for the cooperative.”