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.