Sep 10, 2024 | Latest News
East River Electric Power Cooperative has presented an award to Kermit Pearson in honor of his 35-years of service on the cooperative’s board of directors. The award was presented during the organization’s 74th annual meeting on Sept. 4, 2024, in Sioux Falls.
As a member-owner of Lake Region Electric Cooperative, Pearson has served as the representative for Lake Region Electric on the East River board of directors since 1989. Altogether he has served electric cooperatives for over 43 years. He currently is seated as East River Electric’s representative on the Basin Electric board of directors where he serves as board vice president. In addition to these leadership positions, he also serves on the South Dakota Rural Electric Association board of directors. A former Vo-Ag instructor and manager of the South Dakota State Fair, he has also been a director on the North Central Livestock Association Board, and an elder at the First Presbyterian Church. His leadership, involvement, and influence earned him a spot in the South Dakota Co-op Hall of Fame in 2018
“It’s a pleasure to honor Kermit, one of our longest-serving board members, with this 35-year service award. During Kermit’s tenure on East River’s board, our cooperative family has experienced immense load growth, has developed innovative programs and has maintained our legacy of providing safe, affordable and reliable electricity.” said East River CEO and General Manager Bob Sahr. “East River offers its sincere thanks and appreciation for Kermit’s continued leadership.”
Kermit is a graduate of Britton High School and attended South Dakota State University in Brookings. He and his wife Peggy live in Lake City on the farmstead his parents settled. They have 4 children.
Sep 10, 2024 | Latest News
East River Electric Power Cooperative held its 74th annual meeting Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, at the Best Western Plus Ramkota Hotel in Sioux Falls. This year’s annual meeting theme was “Cooperatives: Partners in Progress.” The meeting highlighted the many ways East River Electric is working alongside its member systems to enhance and power people’s lives and communities by providing safe, reliable and affordable electricity as well as investing in communities and individuals. Attendees took part in the event in person as well as through a livestream viewing option.
“East River’s board, our employees and our member systems are “Partners in Progress” as we do what needs to be done to serve our members today – and at the same time plan for tomorrow,” said East River CEO/General Manager Bob Sahr. “We’re facing a lot of challenges – immense growth, supply chain issues, inflation – but through it all we stick together. We prepare for what lies ahead by maintaining forward momentum to seize the opportunities that will come our way.”
During the annual meeting presentation, East River leadership discussed the cooperative’s Transmission System Upgrade Plan, detailing achievements, progress, and challenges that have been overcome. Now in its sixth year, the plan is focused on enhancements and updates to the system’s infrastructure while ensuring the cooperative can meet demand, sustain reliability and prepare for future capacity growth
“We’ve continued to make enhancements and upgrades to East River’s infrastructure meeting goals through planning, coordination and execution. The plan is vital for positioning our system for future load growth and improving reliability,” Sahr said. “The upgrades have paid off, and our system’s reliability has significantly improved, especially during severe storms. Also, with unprecedented growth potential coming to our system, the improvements made in recent years have reinforced the backbone of the transmission system while maintaining the ability to serve anticipated growth. We continue to complete major projects within the plan and adjust our priorities as load growth develops the need for further system improvements.”
During the annual meeting lunch, East River’s leadership presented two individuals with the cooperative’s Eminent Service Award: Brad Schardin, retired CEO and General Manager of Southeastern Electric Cooperative, and Jeff Genzer, president at Duncan, Weinberg, Genzer & Pembroke law office in Washington, D.C. The Eminent Service Award is the most prestigious honor given by East River’s board of directors to individuals who have had a great impact on East River Electric and the rural electrification program. In addition, East River director Kermit Pearson from Lake Region Electric was presented with an award for over 35 years of service on the East River board of directors.
The afternoon session began with a presentation from Basin Electric Cooperative’s CEO and General Manager Todd Brickhouse followed by a panel discussion on large loads featuring East River Electric’s Chief Operations Officer Mark Hoffman, Chief Financial Officer Scott Shewey and Basin Electric’s Vice President of Resource Planning and Rates Becky Kern. A business meeting followed the annual meeting’s general session where the director election was held, and the cooperative’s policy statements were adopted.
East River Electric Power Cooperative CEO and General Manager Bob Sahr (left) and East River Electric Board President Jim Ryken (Right) provided an update to the co-op’s membership during East River’s 74th annual meeting.
Former Southeastern Electric Cooperative CEO and General Manager Brad Schardin was presented with the Eminent Service award.
Jeff Genzer, President at Duncan, Weinberg, Genzer & Pembroke law office was presented with the Eminent Service award.
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.
