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Loup Generator — Fall 2020

The Ruthie cabin cruiser makes a big splash in 1939, the Lake Babcock Amusement Resort works to develop the lake into a "boating mecca", protecting the piping plover and interior least tern at the Genoa Headworks.

The Ruthie cabin cruiser makes a big splash in 1939, the Lake Babcock Amusement Resort works to develop the lake into a "boating mecca", protecting the piping plover and interior least tern at the Genoa Headworks.

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NEAL SUESS<br />

President/CEO<br />

Suess joined <strong>Loup</strong> in 2005 as President/CEO. He oversees all operations of <strong>Loup</strong> Power<br />

District and reports to the Board of Directors. The District’s operations include the sale<br />

and distribution of electricity in the four-county service territory, hydro generation, and<br />

economic development in the service area.<br />

During his 15 years at the helm, Suess has been involved in several milestone events<br />

at the District. They include the generating unit renovation at the Columbus and Monroe<br />

Powerhouses in 2007, electrical expansion construction at ADM Corn Processors east of<br />

Columbus, the commissioning of a new Dredge in 2012, and a new federal hydroelectric<br />

license in 2017. He has also helped coordinate repairs of the District’s Genoa Headworks<br />

caused by a storm in March 2019. He was also instrumental in bringing both Clarkson<br />

(2007) and Leigh (2018) on as retail towns.<br />

Suess holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Iowa State<br />

University. He is a Registered Professional Engineer in Nebraska and a member of the<br />

American Society of Mechanical Engineers.<br />

Suess and his wife, Jo, have two children, Elizabeth (soon to be married to Collin Gilbert)<br />

and Taylor (married to Dani Pedersen) and one grandchild, Leo.<br />

15 Years<br />

10 Years<br />

CRAIG BAXA<br />

Powerhouse Operator<br />

Craig Baxa joined <strong>Loup</strong> in 2010 as a Maintenance<br />

Man at the Genoa Headworks. In 2012, he was promoted<br />

to his current position of Plant Operator at the<br />

Columbus Powerhouse.<br />

He is on a team of six Columbus Powerhouse<br />

operators who watch over <strong>Loup</strong>’s hydroelectric system.<br />

They monitor and control the generation units at the<br />

powerhouses in Columbus and Monroe. The operators<br />

also work closely with the Genoa Headworks Division<br />

to divert maximum water from the <strong>Loup</strong> River into the<br />

District’s canal system for power plant generation.<br />

Baxa is a graduate of Twin River High School.<br />

He attended Wayne State College where he earned<br />

a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. He<br />

and his wife, Chelsi, live in Monroe and have one son,<br />

Chance.<br />

1 Year<br />

TODD DUREN<br />

Vice President of Corporate Services<br />

Todd Duren of Columbus joined <strong>Loup</strong> Power District<br />

in 2019.<br />

He is responsible for oversight of four departments<br />

<strong>—</strong> Development/Marketing, Information Technology,<br />

Human Resources, and Safety. He also oversees<br />

regulatory compliance in the HR and safety areas and<br />

provides leadership on economic development and<br />

public relations projects.<br />

Duren is a graduate of Scotus Central Catholic High<br />

School. He earned a degree in Civil Engineering from<br />

the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He and his wife,<br />

Lisa, have three children <strong>—</strong> Anthony, 29, and his wife,<br />

Blair; Morgan, 27; and Jared, 23.<br />

In his free time, Duren enjoys duck hunting,<br />

cheering on the Huskers and hanging out with family<br />

and friends.<br />

FALL <strong>2020</strong> 17

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