John MacFarlane, the sixth president of Otter Tail Power Company, was born on November 8, 1939, in Hallock, Minnesota.

MacFarlane graduated from the University of North Dakota in 1961 with a degree in electrical engineering.

After graduation he joined Otter Tail Power Company as a staff engineer in the Electrical Department, advancing to assistant division engineer, division engineer, division manager, vice president planning and control, executive vice president, president, and president and chief executive officer. In 1991 MacFarlane was named chairman of the Board of Directors.

When MacFarlane became president in 1982, Otter Tail Power Company was going through some difficult financial times, due largely to low load growth and inadequate rates. He saw that the company would not survive as a stand-alone electric utility. It would either have to merge with a larger company or diversify into other business activities outside the electric utility industry.  He chose to diversify.  Today the acquired companies contribute 50 percent of Otter Tail Corporation's net income.

In 2000 the Area Power Conference presented MacFarlane with the Nikola Tesla Award for meritorious service to the electric power industry. 

The University of North Dakota honored MacFarlane with several awards. They include an honorary Doctor of Engineering degree, the UND Energy and Environmental Research Center's Energy Champion Award, and the Sioux Award.

MacFarlane played an active role in Fergus Falls community affairs.  He was president of the Fergus Falls Rotary Club and the Fergus Falls Port Authority, and he served on the Salvation Army advisory board.

He is or has been a member of the Board of Directors for Wells Fargo Bank in Fergus Falls, the Pioneer Mutual Insurance Company, the Village Family Services, the Center For Rural Policy and Development, the University of North Dakota Alumni Association, the Edison Electric Institute, and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He also served on the Board of Trustees for Jamestown College.

MacFarlane retired in 2002 but still serves as chairman of the Board of Directors.  He left the company in a good, solid financial position. When graded by rate of return, it has consistently ranked as one of the top electric utilities in the country.

Written by Myron Broschat, Otter Tail Power Company retiree
Reference:  Interview with John MacFarlane