Sep 10, 2024 | Latest News
Brad Schardin was presented with East River Electric Power Cooperative’s highest honor, the Eminent Service Award, during the organization’s 74th annual meeting Sept. 4, 2024, in Sioux Falls. The award is given annually to individuals who have made significant contributions to East River and the cooperative movement.
Schardin’s electric cooperative experience spanned over 40 years and is marked by visionary leadership, unwavering commitment, and a profound impact on the communities he’s served, the co-ops he’s partnered with, and the people he’s crossed paths with.
His co-op career began in 1983 at Douglas Electric Cooperative, in Armour, S.D., where he served as general manager for seven years, helping to navigate the cooperative through growth and operational improvement. In 1990, Schardin took on the role of general manager at Turner-Hutchinson Electric Cooperative in Marion where he implemented innovative strategies to enhance member engagement and expanded the cooperative’s services, benefitting member-owners and the local community.
His leadership presence, as well as enthusiasm for member-owners and employees at Turner-Hutchinson, led to a shared management agreement with Lincoln-Union Electric Company in Alcester in 1997, and during that time he served as the general manager of both cooperatives. In 2000, the two electric cooperatives were consolidated, forming Southeastern Electric Cooperative. Once consolidated, Brad entered into another shared management agreement with McCook Electric, which eventually led to a merger incorporating McCook into Southeastern Electric, now one of South Dakota’s largest electric co-ops. Schardin remained at Southeastern Electric for the rest of his career, retiring as its general manager in 2023.
“The East River Electric board of directors thank you for your service to the cooperative and your leadership in advancing rural electrification in our region,” said East River board president Jim Ryken. “The leadership you have provided during your tenure as a cooperative manager, your service on various committees and initiatives has helped to ensure consumers across the region have received safe, reliable and affordable electric power for decades.”
Brad is known for his commitment to community development and being an inspirational leader, letting employees know they are appreciated, balanced with an emphasis on always putting member owners first. Outside of the cooperative realm, he enjoys working on and racing cars and he is the owner of Bowlway Lanes in Marion, S.D. Brad is a graduate of Black Hills State University. He and his wife Vicki live in Marion, S.D.
Sep 10, 2024 | Latest News
Jeff Genzer, President at Duncan, Weinberg, Genzer, & Pembroke, P.C. law office was awarded East River Electric Power Cooperative’s highest honor, the Eminent Service Award, during the organization’s 74th annual meeting September 4, 2024, in Sioux Falls. The award is given annually to individuals who have made significant contributions to East River and the cooperative movement.
Jeff was recognized for his nearly four-decade-long career that has been dedicated to energy and environmental law. During his almost 40 years in his current position and during his prior tenure serving as staff counsel for the National Governor’s Association, he’s demonstrated commitment to and has worked hard to protect and advocate in the best interest of rural electric cooperatives and their member-owners.
He has demonstrated legislative advocacy and handled litigation efforts on behalf of cooperatives, appearing before various courts and federal agencies including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Department of Energy, and the Environmental Protection Agency. Jeff’s contributions to utilities and the cooperative cause have been significant, impacting state and local governments and initiatives across the nation.
Throughout his career, he’s served as general counsel for several key energy organizations and currently serves as general counsel to the National Association of Energy Service Companies, the National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association, and the Energy Programs Consortium. He has worked with East River Electric for many years through his role with the Mid-West Electric Consumers Association, helping cooperatives access low-cost hydropower from the nation’s dams.
“In recognition of your 38 years of service to electric cooperatives across the country, the East River Electric board of directors thanks you for your service to the cooperative movement and for your leadership in advancing and protecting rural electrification,” said East River Electric CEO and General Manager Bob Sahr. “Your work has helped to power the lives of millions of consumers across our region and around the country.”
In addition to his advocacy and dedicated work in the legal field, Jeff has made a positive difference through service in the Peace Corps, where he contributed to many development projects and served as the first energy planner in Micronesia.
Jun 4, 2024 | Latest News
The third annual Who Powers You contest hosted by the region’s Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives has officially come to a close with the announcement of three winners who were chosen from among the contest’s 20 finalists. The contest spotlights outstanding individuals and organizations who are making a difference in their communities while recognizing them for their remarkable efforts in empowering and inspiring others.
“As an electric cooperative, our services extend beyond delivering safe, affordable, and reliable power to our member-owners,” said Chris Studer, Chief Member and Public Relations Officer at East River Electric Power Cooperative. The Who Powers You contest highlights the commitment of our co-op to the communities and member-owners that we serve. We know that our co-op community is filled with people making a difference and we are honored to celebrate them.”
Weekly contest finalists were featured on KELOLAND Living from March through mid-May. Three contest winners were announced on May 30, 2024.
Becky Krause, a member of H-D Electric Cooperative, has been awarded the first-place grand prize in the Who Powers You contest. Becky, who was nominated by five separate individuals, is an invaluable volunteer and member of her community.
She has been instrumental in many community projects and efforts that enrich Deuel County. She’s deeply involved with the farming industry, supporting local farmers through her banking expertise and hands-on experience and a pillar of support in her church and community, volunteering for church suppers, teaching Sunday School, and leading youth groups. She also serves on the Stewards Against Childhood Hunger committee, providing weekend backpacks for students. Her role in the Deuel County Community Foundation is significant, organizing major fundraisers and promoting scholarships for local students. She also mentors high school students, offering guidance on college, tech schools, and finances. She co-leads the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is actively involved with her church as a Sunday school coordinator and financial secretary.
As the grand prize winner, she will receive a $3,000 award to support her continued efforts. The Who Powers You award recognizes her as a true ambassador of her community and the individuals within it.
The second-place, $1,500 prize was awarded to Pierre Area Referral Service, whose outreach impacts Oahe Electric Cooperative’s service territory. The organization has been servicing the community for 50 years and is always there to help with food, clothing, emergency/medical bus tickets, emergency hotel vouchers, eviction prevention, and many other services. One of their best programs is their weekend backpack program for kids in grades K-5 and they feed over three thousand meals each weekend during the school year. They are powering their community through their dedication and mission to support community in numerous ways.
Sandi Kramer, a member of Bon Homme-Yankton Electric Cooperative, was awarded the third-place $500 award in the contest. She has been a dedicated volunteer for the Yankton Food for Thought program for many years. She started with the program when they began the Sack Pack Program 15 years ago, which provides a sack of food for the weekend to children who are food insecure. She is involved in their once-a-month food pantry from food ordering to set-up and working the events. She also serves on the board of directors, bringing her experience and great ideas to the program. Her contributions to the region are numerous, which is why she was chosen for the well-deserved recognition.
To learn more about the Who Powers You contest and watch this year’s nominee and winner videos, visit whopowersyoucontest.com.
Jun 4, 2024 | Latest News
East River Electric was recognized for excellence in workplace safety and health during the 2024 Minnesota Safety and Health Conference on April 30 & May 1. East River Electric is one of 244 employers honored through the awards program, coordinated by the Minnesota Safety Council.
“Keeping the people we work and live with safe is a full time job,” said Paul Aasen, CEO of the Minnesota Safety Council. “Congratulations to East River Electric for investing the time and energy to make work and life safer inside their organization and beyond.”
Since 1934, the annual Governor’s Workplace Safety Awards program has honored Minnesota employers with exceptional safety performance. Applicants are judged on several years of injury data as it compares with their industry’s national and state statistics, and on their progress in implementing a comprehensive safety program. Winners are recognized at five levels:
East River received a Bronze Achievement Award, in recognition of their excellence in occupational injury prevention throughout 2023.
May 6, 2024 | Latest News
Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives in eastern South Dakota and western Minnesota honored some of the area’s most impressive high school seniors Saturday, April 27, during the 22nd Annual Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Year Banquet and recognition held at McCrory Gardens on the campus of South Dakota State University.
The event honored the 34 high school students who were chosen each week throughout the school year as the Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Week. It’s a program which recognizes students for academic achievement, co-curricular involvement, and community service. The students are featured in weekly segments which air on Dakota News Now television and each student receives a $250 scholarship for being chosen as the Scholar of the Week.
Kellen Kueter, a senior at Montrose High School within Southeastern Electric’s territory, was selected during the banquet as the Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Year and received a $1,000 award. Quinton Berg, a senior at Bridgewater-Emery, within Central Electric’s territory, and Trey Maaland, a senior from Clear Lake, within H-D Electric’s territory received $500 scholarship awards. The winners’ names were drawn from among those in attendance.
South Dakota State University President Dr. Barry Dunn was the keynote speaker. Dakota News Now news anchor Erik Thorstenson served as the master of ceremonies.
Touchstone Energy is a network of over 720 electric cooperatives from around the country – including the electric cooperatives in our region – who are united in the four touchstone values of integrity, accountability, innovation, and commitment to community. Touchstone Energy Cooperatives are local, active members of their communities, dedicated to building our communities, and improving our way of life. The cooperatives have sponsored the Scholar of the Week program since 2002. In that time Touchstone Energy Cooperatives have awarded over $100,000 in scholarships to over 600 students as part of the Scholar of the Week program.
