Our Team
The Sunflower Electric Economic Development team is comprised of representatives from Sunflower Electric Power Corporation and the six-member rural electric cooperatives that own Sunflower. The team brings years of experience in rural economic development, utility operations, and customer service management skills. Collectively, we can meet your needs, no matter the scope of your project.
Nikki Pfannenstiel, CKAE
Manager, Economic Development
Sunflower Electric Power Corporation
Nikki is a certified key account director with more than 28 years of community and economic development experience working closely with businesses and communities in the region. Nikki was recognized nationally by the National Rural Economic Developers Association as the Rural Developer of the Year in 2024, Touchstone Energy as a Brand Champion and Citizen of the Year in her home community of Hays, Kansas.
Diane Stiles
Economic Development Director
Sunflower Electric Power Corporation
Diane brings extensive experience in community relations and economic development to the team. She has strong ties to the technical college network and previously served as an economic development director for a rural Kansas community. She joined the team in 2023 to support Sunflower’s member cooperatives with load growth and retention opportunities.
Erica Schmidt, MBA, CKAE
Manager, Power Contracts
Sunflower Electric Power Corporation
Erica develops the wholesale power supply proposals used by Sunflower's member cooperatives for new and expanding load. Her experience includes supply chain, contract management, and financial analysis.
Anne Erbert, CKAE
Manager, Member Solutions
Sunflower Electric Power Corporation
Anne is a certified key accounts director with more than 10 years of experience in utility industries. Her experience includes key accounts, project management, business recruitment, property management, and communications.
Kristen Koehn
Manager of Corporate and Energy Solutions
Pioneer Electric Cooperative
Kristen joined Pioneer Electric in 2006 and served as its automated meter infrastructure technician until 2024. Kristen currently serves as Pioneer’s Manager of Corporate and Energy Solutions and works with economic development professionals in Pioneer’s service territory. Kristen has also secured federal grant funding to support reliability projects in Pioneer’s territory.
Elena Larson
Director of Member Services
Prairie Land Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Elena joined Prairie Land as its Director of Member Services in 2023. Previously, Elena served as a rate consultant serving cooperatives across the country. She has earned her Certified Key Account Executive designation from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and is active in communities served by Prairie Land.
Kyndell Penick
Vice President of Safety & Key Accounts
The Victory Electric Cooperative Association
Kyndell is a certified key accounts director with more than 10 years of cooperative utility experience. Kyndell served as a journeyman lineman before filling the manager of key accounts position in the summer of 2018. Kyndell currently sits on the management committee for the Ford County Economic Development Board.
Chrsitina Hayes
Member Services Manager
Western Cooperative Electric Association, Inc.
Christina joined Western after serving Great Bend as the community coordinator for several years. She has more than 20 years of experience in community development and is active in communities served by Western.
Ron Aschenbrenner
Line Superintendent
Western Cooperative Electric Association, Inc.
Ron has more than 20 years of experience with operations and maintenance of Western’s distribution system. As line superintendent, he is responsible for reliability and infrastructure improvements for grid stability. As a native of western Kansas, Ron is very involved with his community.
Alli Conine
Director of Member Services and Corporate Communications
Wheatland Electric Cooperative, Inc.
As a Certified Key Account Executive, Alli has experience working with a variety of industries throughout Wheatland’s territory. She also coordinates all community and school programs and membership meetings for the 16 counties in Wheatland’s service territory. In addition to key accounts, Alli is responsible for internal and external communications at Wheatland.
Our Partners
Kansas Department of Commerce
Kansas Department of Commerce has regional community and economic development professionals who aid with business recruitment, retention, and access to statewide incentives.
Kansas Department of Agriculture – Ag Marketing
The Kansas Department of Agriculture coordinates the Strategic Growth Initiative, which assists communities in identifying agricultural expansion opportunities suitable for rural areas. KDA also coordinates the From the Land of Kansas program designed to assist businesses with Kansas-made products.
CoBank
The bank delivers loans, leases and other financial services to agribusiness, rural infrastructure and Farm Credit customers in all 50 states.
United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development
USDA RD provides a variety of community and business development financing programs for projects in rural communities.
Kansas Small Business Development Center
KSBDC provides business management consultation for start-up and existing businesses.
NetWork Kansas
NetWork Kansas is a non-profit, business-building resource that helps entrepreneurs and small business owners start and grow successful businesses.
Northwest Kansas Economic Innovation Center
Northwest Kansas Economic Innovation Center is a private operating foundation that provides economic and entrepreneurial assistance to businesses in 26 rural Northwest Kansas counties.
Great Plains Technology & Manufacturing Cluster
The Great Plains Technology and Manufacturing Cluster (Great Plains TMC) assists manufacturers and technology entrepreneurs across the Great Plains to connect and engage technology and business resources to develop, launch and grow new products and businesses.
Kansas Manufacturing Solutions
Kansas Manufacturing Solutions helps small and mid-sized Kansas manufacturers by providing resources that solve problems, create growth opportunities, and achieve success.
Other Alliances
As a regional utility, Sunflower Electric Economic Development understands the importance of regional economic development efforts. Sunflower Electric Economic Development actively participates in and leverages relationships from the following organizations: