Central Lakes College Customized Training Representative Eloise Thorson was cited by the Minnesota Rural Electric Association through its publication, Minnesota Co-Op Power, for training co-op employees in a leadership program. Since its inception in 1997, the MREA Leadership Training program has enabled more than 200 employees of cooperatives across the state to graduate and continue to demonstrate leadership and responsibility. Eloise, based at the Staples campus, "is uniquely qualified to address the needs of the adult learner and tailors each presentation to maximize retention," wrote Alison Deelstra, director of education and communication for MREA. "Participants must complete four modules to become certified." The recognition came in the January 2012 publication produced by the Maple Grove-based organization. Norm Krause, former CLC Ag Center director, is a member of the 14-person MREA board of directors.