Dairyland has named Joyce Peppin as General Counsel for the organization. Peppin joined Dairyland as Director, Government Relations and Legal Services in August 2021, bringing extensive government affairs, legislative, general and utility counsel experience. As General Counsel, Peppin will direct Dairyland’s legal, compliance, regulatory and legislative affairs; and oversee Dairyland’s government relations and economic development strategies and priorities.

Prior to joining Dairyland, Peppin served as General Counsel and Director of Government affairs for the Minnesota Rural Electric Association. Peppin also served 14 years in the Minnesota House of Representatives, including four years as Majority Leader.

Kathleen Galioto will serve as Deputy General Counsel, working on a variety of Dairyland legal issues, including contracts and other legal documents; advising and providing legal opinions to Dairyland staff; and conducting legal research. Kathleen joined Dairyland in February 2022 after 10 years at Energy Northwest.

“Dairyland is pleased to name Joyce Peppin as General Counsel and Kathleen Galioto as Deputy General Counsel,” said Brent Ridge, President and CEO. “They both bring a wide breadth of experience to their respective roles and are well positioned to lead Dairyland’s legal affairs.”

The law firm of Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A. (Winthrop) has also been named by the Board of Directors to serve as the Board’s independent legal counsel.

“The Board is pleased to announce the Winthrop professional team will be serving Dairyland with their broad legal expertise,” said Jenny Scharmer, Dairyland Board Chair. “Joel Johnson will be the principal contact for the board. He brings extensive experience advising boards of directors on all aspects of governance, including fiduciary duties, legal duties and standards of conduct, which are top priorities for our cooperative Board.”

Johnson will be supported in his representation of Dairyland by Laura Pfeiffer, who focuses on employment counseling, and Eric Swanson, who focuses on energy policy and regulatory work. Winthrop is a business law firm of more than 150 attorneys located in Minneapolis, Minn. For more information: www.winthrop.com.