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About the Co-op Innovation Network
The Co-op Innovation Network is a free, peer-driven learning network for rural electric cooperative leaders, and a Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2024. We help board directors, co-op members, and communities across the United States share ideas, accelerate innovation and build solutions that strengthen the members and communities they serve.
Mission and Vision
Our mission
To provide leadership development opportunities to individuals dedicated to America’s rural electric cooperative future by providing public civic educational resources and community engagement.
Our vision
A world where every rural electric cooperative has the knowledge, peers and confidence to lead its community’s energy future.
Our Story
The Co-op Innovation Network was founded on July 16, 2024 by Joel Dyer and Ted Compton.
Rural electric cooperatives are navigating one of the most consequential moments in energy history, and the volunteer directors who govern them often make big decisions on rates, resources and new technology with little time and few peers to compare notes with. Ted and Joel saw that the most useful guidance comes from other co-op leaders, so they built a free network where directors can learn from one another, share case studies and bring what they learn back to their communities.
Today the network is led by two Co-Directors who know co-ops from the inside: Ted Compton, Board President of his home electric cooperative in Southwest Colorado, and Alison Miles, a former Vice President of Members at a Minnesota electric cooperative.
2024
Co-op Innovation Network founded.
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First Co-op Leadership Cohort convenes.
2025
Alison Miles joins as Co-Director and begins building the Co-op Compass (formerly the Policy Playbook).
2026
Kendra Grand joins to build and manage Co-op Compass, the network’s knowledge base.
Who We Serve
We work with the people who govern, run and support rural electric cooperatives.
Board directors
Elected co-op directors who want the context and peer perspective to make confident decisions on rates, resources and new technology, plus a network of fellow directors from across the country to learn from.
Co-op Members
Co-op members own their cooperative and elect the directors who lead it. We share plain-language resources and case studies on local energy topics, so members can take part in their co-op’s decisions with confidence.
Communities
Co-ops exist to serve the communities around them. Through public civic education and community engagement, we help residents understand the local energy choices and opportunities in front of them, and how their co-op fits into them.
Meet the Team
The people behind the network’s programs and resources.
Ted
Compton
Co-DirectorBoard President of his home electric cooperative in Southwest Colorado since 2023, after a three-decade career as a mechanical and infrastructure engineer.
Alison
Miles
Co-DirectorA former Vice President of Members at a Minnesota electric cooperative, Alison leads the network’s national resources, including the Co-op Compass.
Kenzley Kaltenbaugh
Program AssistantKenzley’s co-op connection began as a member of her local electric cooperative in Fairbanks, Alaska. She also organizes for rooftop solar at Solar United Neighbors.
Kendra
Grand
Content CoordinatorKendra builds and manages Co-op Compass, the network’s knowledge base for co-op leaders, drawing on a decade of program coordination.
What We Do
Three ways to learn from peers, from a structured cohort to on-demand resources.
Co-op Leadership Cohort
A cohort-based leadership program where co-op leaders learn alongside peers from other cooperatives.
Ideas for Innovation Webinar Series
Online sessions where co-op leaders and partners share ideas and practical innovations.
Co-op Compass
The network’s online knowledge base of resources for electric cooperative leaders.
Also from the network: the CIN blog.
Impact in Numbers
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Cooperatives engaged
>150
Published Resources in
Co-op Compass
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Leadership Cohort alumni
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Board OF Advisors
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Why You Can Trust Us
How we are governed, how our content is checked and who pays for the work.
Transparency
Legal name: Co-op Leadership Academy
Dba: Co-op Innovation Network
Tax status: 501(c)(3)
EIN: 99-4006325
State of incorporation: Colorado
Mailing address: CIN ℅ Ted Compton, 175 Riverview Dr. Durango, CO 81301
Form 990 / annual report: [VERIFY: link]
General inquiries: info@coopinnovation.org
How we work
Led by co-op insiders. Our Co-Directors include a sitting co-op board president and a former co-op vice president.
Governance. [VERIFY: who oversees CIN, e.g. board or parent organization]
How content is vetted. [VERIFY: review process for Compass articles, webinars and guides]
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Bring Your Co-op Into the Network
Join a cohort of peers, sit in on the next webinar, or find answers in Co-op Compass.
Questions? Email info@coopinnovation.org
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers about the network. More on our FAQs page.
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The Co-op Innovation Network is a free, peer-driven learning network that helps rural electric cooperative board directors, executives and operational leaders share ideas, accelerate innovation and collaborate on solutions for the communities they serve. It runs the Co-op Leadership Cohort, the Ideas for Innovation Webinar Series and the Co-op Compass knowledge base.
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Yes. The Co-op Innovation Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 99-4006325, incorporated in Colorado.
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Yes. The Co-op Compass is the network’s online knowledge base of resources for electric cooperative leaders, available at compass.coopinnovation.org.
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[VERIFY: funding sources, e.g. foundation grants and partner sponsorships, named with permission.]
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The network is led by Co-Directors Ted Compton, Board President of his home electric cooperative in Southwest Colorado, and Alison Miles, former Vice President of Members at a Minnesota electric cooperative.