Jim Ryken was presented with East River Electric Power Cooperative’s highest honor, the Eminent Service Award, during the organization’s 75th annual meeting Sept. 3, 2025, in Sioux Falls. The award is given annually to individuals who have made significant contributions to East River and the cooperative movement.
As a member-owner of Clay-Union Electric Cooperative, Ryken served for 36 years on the Clay-Union Electric board of directors and for 27 of those years he served as the representative for Clay-Union on the East River board of directors. He was seated on the Clay-Union board in 1989 and was seated on the East River board in 1998. Jim was elected board secretary in the year 2000, and in 2008 he was elected president of the board. Jim stepped down from the Clay-Union and East River boards this past spring after 16 years as president for East River.
“The East River Electric Board of Directors thanks you for your service to the cooperative and your leadership in advancing rural electrification in our region. The leadership you have provided on the board of directors, serving as secretary for 8 years and president of the board for 16 years helped to ensure consumers across the region have received safe, reliable and affordable electric power for decades. For these and your many other contributions to East River Electric, its member systems and consumers, we recognize you for your dedication and friendship with our highest honor,” said Board President Alan Vedvei in announcing the award.
Jim’s passion for electric cooperatives and helping better the lives of his community are inspiring. He led East River through two general manager searches during his tenure as East River’s board president and oversaw incredible growth in the system over those years. Since Jim took over as president, East River’s peak demand rose 57 percent. He oversaw changes to East River’s load management program, the Transmission System Upgrade Plan, and several other key initiatives that have strengthened East River as an organization.
His commitment doesn’t stop there. He has always served as a strong advocate for public policies that benefit and impact our industry, maintaining close ties with legislators and participating in cooperative visits to Pierre, Washington, D.C., and legislative fly-ins through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
Jim and his wife Margo have two children and reside in Clay-Union’s service area, where they farm south of Gayville and have long been active in community and civic initiatives.
