Leading Through Relationships

Leading through relationships

CCEC introduces new Vice President of Member and Energy Services, Chad Brousseau

Chad Brousseau is no stranger to the cooperative world.

He chuckles as he reminisces down memory lane: countless summer evenings spent outside with other cooperative children at BEK Communications Cooperative annual meetings and barbeques, where his dad, Randy, worked in telecommunications for 25 years.

Little did Brousseau know that those childhood experiences would be far from his last involvement with the cooperative world. Decades later, a straight shot east down I-94 from his hometown of Steele, Chad Brousseau is Cass County Electric Cooperative’s newest Vice President of Member and Energy Services.

Unexpected but always there
Brousseau never anticipated working for an electric cooperative, yet the cooperative culture was ingrained in his upbringing in one way or another.

“As I grew older, I began to play on softball teams and golf with my dad and his coworkers at BEK,” Brousseau reflected. “They always spoke highly of the cooperative and the sense of community, so it was always in the back of my mind.”

Sure enough, Brousseau enrolled at North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) to pursue Electronics. He hoped to follow up with an Electrical Engineering degree at North Dakota State University (NDSU) and land a job in telecommunications like his dad. 

Yet, as much as one may craft one’s blueprint, life often writes its own.

Insert Cass County Electric Cooperative
“Between my first and second year at NDSCS, I saw a flyer for a summer energy management technician internship at Cass (County Electric) that would allow me to work and receive college credit,” Brousseau said.

He landed the gig and spent the summer working on 1970s-style ripple controls and building bridges - enough to continue his role on weekends that fall after school had started.

Brousseau graduated from NDSCS the following spring and was ready to ship north to Fargo to attend NDSU.

“I had my bags packed, landed a scholarship, received my class schedule, and basically just had to show up,” he laughed.

Brousseau’s success in his internship and CCEC thought otherwise.

“A full-time position opened up in CCEC’s power control center, and Jeremy Mahowald, my boss at the time, and Paul Matthys (current CCEC CEO/ president who worked in energy management at the time) thought I’d be a good fit,” Brousseau recalled. “I applied and was fortunate enough to get an offer.”

It was decision time. Stay put on the path he had planned or take a chance on the offer?

“I talked to my folks, and my dad said, ‘When you get a chance to get in with a cooperative full time, that doesn’t happen often,’” Brousseau said.

Twenty-four years later, Brousseau has only worked at two places.

“Our local grocery store, K&L Supervalu, from eighth grade through senior year of high school and now Cass County Electric Cooperative.”

Well-versed from all angles
Successful leaders are able to use versatile experiences and perspectives to see, learn, and lead at a high level. Brousseau checks that box with flying colors.

In nearly a quarter of a century at CCEC, Brousseau spent 12 years in power control, five as Manager of Energy Management, and seven as Business Accounts Manager. While reflecting on and preparing for his new journey, he credits past experiences and those around him.

“What helps is that I may be new to this role but not new to Cass,” Brousseau said. “Those 24 years of history here have helped. I’ve always had great people around me that know their jobs. I’ve always relied on them and will continue to rely on them in this new role.”

Carrying a strong Midwest sense of humbleness, Brousseau describes himself as a servant leader, and his actions make it evident. In his first month at the helm, Brousseau scheduled one-on-one meetings with each member of the four departments that he will oversee.

“I want to better understand everyone’s roles, but more importantly, I want to build relationships with people,” he said. “There’s always uncertainty with change, especially in leadership positions. I want people to know I’m here to support them and hopefully make their lives easier.”

An optimistic future
Change and challenges are a part of all industries, and the energy sector is no exception. Yet, as Brousseau navigates fluid waters, he has the utmost confidence in those around him.

“In this new role, I’ll need to know the big picture for every department, but not necessarily the day-to-day nuts and bolts because I have deep trust in the people we have in place,” he said.

And while challenges arise, opportunities flourish. Brousseau credits CCEC’s partnership with power supplier Minnkota Power Cooperative as instrumental in navigating the future of the industry, as well as CCEC’s cutting-edge approach to technology utilization.

At the end of the day, CCEC’s members are the cooperative’s top priority, and Brousseau plans to continue this through stellar member service and community investment.

“One of the best things about CCEC is that we get to serve some incredible rural communities and also support the growth of a metro area that has a very communal feel,” he said. “We have the same family-like approach within the walls of CCEC, and if we take care of and invest in our people, we’ll be best able to serve our members.”