About Salem Electric

About Us

Who we are, how we operate, and our commitment to cooperative principles.

Founded in 1938, Salem Electric is a not-for-profit electric cooperative. Unlike investor-owned utilities, electric cooperatives provide electricity to their consumer-members at cost. Reliable, renewable, electricity is distributed to members throughout our 17.5 square mile service territory.

Community Focused

Salem Electric is committed to the communities we serve by providing scholarships, heating assistance, donations, and electrical safety education. SE employees are members of your community who volunteer hundreds of hours annually to local organizations.

Goals

Five goals guide our business decisions.

SE’s Goals

Reliable Service
Good Customer Relations
Good Employee Relations
Financial Integrity
Low Rates

Cooperative Principles

All cooperative businesses adhere to seven guiding principles.

7 Cooperative Principles

Open and Voluntary Membership
Democratic Member Control
Members' Economic Participation
Autonomy and Independence
Education, Training, and Information
Cooperation Among Cooperatives
Concern for Community

Business Operations

Salem Electric operates as an IRS 501 (c) 12 not-for-profit. Our Annual Report & Statistical Information provide data on the finances of the cooperative and fast facts about statistical information.

Salem Electric’s rates are established by a seven-member board of directors elected by the membership and are structured to provide funds to operate the cooperative, make payments on loans, and provide an emergency reserve. At the end of the year, operating expenses are subtracted from the operating revenue collected during the year and the balance is the operating margin. Margins are allocated to members as capital credits based on their purchases from the cooperative. Learn more about capital credits.

Our Rate Schedules, Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and Service Policies provide additional information on how the cooperative functions.

Employment Opportunities

Salem Electric is an equal opportunity employer and is dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis, including race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, physical or mental disability or sexual preference.

Salem Electric has no job openings at this time.

Map

Service Territory

Salem Electric has a defined service territory shown in gray and located within the boundary line on the map below. To start service or determine if a specific address is served by Salem Electric, please contact our office during business hours at 503-362-3601.

Board of Directors

Meet Your Board of Directors

Salem Electric board members support the work of the general manager and provide mission-based leadership and strategic governance. Directors are elected by the membership and serve three-year terms. Contact Us

Board meetings are held monthly and members are welcome to attend. Dates of upcoming board meetings are posted on our Meetings, Events, and Closures page, and both the Board Meeting Summaries and Minutes of Board Meetings are available for view.

Dave Bauer

President

Dave retired from his family business, R. Bauer Insurance. He has been a Keizer resident and Salem Electric member since 2001.
Board member since 2014
Current term 2020–2023

Email Dave Bauer

Joe Van Meter

Vice-President

Joe retired after 37 years in juvenile corrections and is currently working at recreational fishing and home property maintenance. He lives in Keizer and has been a Salem Electric member since 1972.
Board member since 2004
Current term 2018–2021

Email Joe Van Meter

Jerry Berger

Secretary/Treasurer

Jerry retired as the President of Chemeketa Community College after working in the education field since 1962. He lives in West Salem and has been a Salem Electric member since 1972.
Board member since 2002
Current term 2019–2022

Email Jerry Berger

Jeff Anderson

Director

Jeff is the secretary/treasurer for the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 555. He has been a Keizer resident and Salem Electric member since 1978.
Board member since 1985
Current term 2018–2021

Email Jeff Anderson

Jan Bargen

Director

Jan retired from the Federal Electric Regulatory Commission. She lives in West Salem and has been a Salem Electric member since 2011.
Board member since 2019
Current term 2019-2022

Email Jan Bargen

Cindy Condon

Director

Cindy retired from her position as president of Pacific Pride Services, LLC. She lives in West Salem and has been a Salem Electric member since 1987.
Board member since 2017
Current term 2020–2023

Email Cindy Condon

Angie Onyewuchi

Director

Angie is the CEO of Travel Salem. She lives in West Salem and has been a Salem Electric member since 2014.
Board member since 2020
Current term 2020–2023

Email Angie Onyewuchi

Management

Meet the Management Team

We’re here for you. Salem Electric's management team has over 127 years of dedicated experience working for Salem Electric. We love our co-op and we hope you do too.