Board of Visitors Biographies
Brian Rude
Director
External Relations
Dairyland Power Cooperative
(La Crosse)
In 2000 Brian Rude joined Dairyland Power Cooperative, an electric distribution cooperative with 235,000 members and operating revenues of $185.7 million. His responsibilities as Director of External Relations include coordination of legislative strategy, monitoring public issues, and working with community relations in the four-state area (Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois) served by the Cooperative.
Rude also has a distinguished record of 17 years of service in the Wisconsin State Legislature, including one term in the State Assembly and four terms in the State Senate. From 1993-1996 and again in 1998, Rude was President of the Senate. Prior to being elected to the Wisconsin Legislature, Rude worked at The Trane Company in corporate communications and served as a research analyst in the Wisconsin and Iowa state senates.
In 2003 Rude was appointed by Governor Doyle to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Tourism, and Consumer Protection board. He is active in many community organizations and is Chair of the Greater La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce.
Rude has a bachelor's degree in history and political science from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and a master's degree in public administration and public policy from UW-Madison.