New CFO is Eager to Serve

A self-described “classic North Dakota guy” who likes to hunt in the winter and golf in the summer, new Chief Financial Officer Cole Hendrickson grew up near Parshall just a mile and a half from an MWEC service area.

On the family farm, he learned about business and servant leadership. “That’s what I was raised on by my mom and dad,” he said. “Whatever your role, fill it well. I want to do my best wherever I am, with what I have and with the people around me.”

For the past five and half years, Hendrickson’s work with National Information Solutions Cooperative had him traveling the country working with the financials of different broadband and utility companies. Making the move to MWEC provided a chance to establish roots. 

“I wanted to invest locally instead of spending so much time and energy in different places,” he said. 

Hendrickson, his wife and 2 ½-year-old daughter, are feeling right at home in Williston. He received his associate’s degree from Williston State College before earning his MBA from the University of Mary in Bismarck.  

“I have a community here. We have friends in the area. We want to stay in North Dakota,” he said.

Since starting on Sept. 16, Hendrickson has been able to “slow roll” through the transition with previous CFO Jay Lux. “It’s been a great knowledge transfer over the last couple of months,” he said. 

“My focus will be on being efficient in my role, developing more efficiencies and following the leadership of the general manager and the board regarding equity and financial policies.”

Hendrickson believes financial leadership is also followership. 

“At the end of the day it’s my job to serve our members,” he said.

_{To read this and other stories in the North Dakota Living magazine CLICK HERE.}