David Nelson recently received the President's Volunteer Service Award, but do not expect the modest manager of engineering at Kandiyohi Power Cooperative (KPC) to brag about it. A 33-year veteran of Spicer, Minnesota, U.S.-headquartered KPC, Nelson uses the expertise he has acquired on the job over the last three decades to volunteer at co-ops in third-world countries to improve linemen safety, teach new technologies and skills, and show them how to become more adept at running their business.

“My travels to the Philippines and Guatemala have shown me that people are basically the same all over the world,” he said. “Everywhere we go, most of the people are warm and friendly. They might not have a lot, but what they do have they want to share.”

Sharing comes naturally to Nelson. The youngest of five children, he originally planned to join the ministry after graduating from the University of Minnesota with a B.S. degree in forestry.

“I spent two years in Michigan working as a youth pastor and attending seminary part time,” he said. “In fact, my wife and I moved back to Minnesota so I could attend seminary full time. After a short period, I determined I did not want to pursue ministry full time. In 1978, I took a job with Kandiyohi as an assistant engineer, and I've been here ever since.”

Although Nelson has worked for the same company for more than 30 years, his job duties have not remained static. Currently the manager of engineering, he also is manager of KPC's International Division and project manager for Interstate Utility Service, a subsidiary of the company that offers coordination and installation of customer-owned primary electric service to commercial and big-box customers nationwide.

“Because my degree is in forestry, I had to learn electrical engineering on the job,” Nelson said. “It has been challenging at times, but I enjoy that. I like to keep learning.”

Nelson also enjoys teaching others what he has learned at KPC. Since the mid-1990s, he has been involved with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association — an organization dedicated to representing the national interests of cooperative electric utilities and the consumers they serve — working with sister co-ops in third-world countries.

“In 1996, we went to the Philippines and signed a memorandum of understanding to establish the sister co-op relationship, and we have been partners ever since,” he explained. “Initially, we thought we would have all these great things to offer them in terms of technology, but that we might not benefit much from the relationship. It was the complete opposite. The friendships, experiences and learning about another culture are by far the greatest benefit.”

Due to its success in the Philippines, KPC entered into another sister relationship with a municipal utility in Guatemala several years ago.

“The first four years were spent strictly with one utility in Guatemala,” he said. “Over the past two years, we have shifted that focus to include working with all of the country's 15 municipal utilities. Currently, we are in the process of putting together a training program aimed at the administrative boards and management staff. The program will teach them how to more effectively run their businesses.”

It is Nelson's volunteer work in Guatemala that recently earned him the President's Volunteer Service Award, a national recognition program that honors individuals, groups and families serving their communities. Awardees are recognized at three levels of service: gold (500-plus hours), silver (250 to 499 hours) and bronze (100 to 249 hours).

“I was not even aware this award existed,” said Nelson who, along with KPC's CEO David George, received the silver award. “It was a surprise and an honor. It is nice to be recognized for volunteering, but I do not do it for that reason. I feel that I have something to share that can help others do their jobs better and in the process just might make their lives a little bit better. It fits right in with the vision statement of KPC, ‘Improving the quality of life for those we touch.’”

Recipients received an official President's Volunteer Award lapel pin, a personalized certificate of achievement and a congratulatory letter signed by President Obama.

In between work and volunteering, Nelson manages to find time to indulge his hobbies, which include golf and photography. He also enjoys motorcycling with his wife of 42 years, Gail, as well as spending time with his children and grandchildren.

“At 62 years old, I am nearing the end of my career, and I have no desire to do anything other than what I am doing right now, because I really enjoy my work,” Nelson said. “I feel blessed to be involved in Guatemala and fortunate to have a board of directors that supports us.”

Nelson's ultimate goal, however, is to retire and spend time traveling around the country with Gail.

“Ideally, we'll do this on our motorcycle while taking lots of pictures and stopping once in a while to play golf.”