Sep 30, 2025 | Latest News
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.
Sep 16, 2025 | Latest News
East River Electric Power Cooperative held its 75th annual meeting Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025, at the Best Western Plus Ramkota Hotel in Sioux Falls. This year’s annual meeting theme was “A Legacy of Service: Celebrating 75 Years.” The special anniversary meeting celebrated and reflected upon East River Electric’s history and focused on current efforts, working alongside its member systems to power people’s lives and provide value to communities by providing safe, reliable and affordable electricity as well as giving back and investing in the people and communities in rural America that founded its cooperative network. Attendees participated in the event both in person and via a livestream viewing option.
“East River’s board, our employees and our member systems are continuing a legacy of service. Doing the work that needs to be done today, while planning for the power grid of the future. We’re facing challenges, the potential of growth like we’ve never experienced, continued supply chain issues and legislative and regulatory changes. But if we continue to work together, collaborate on these big issues, we’ll continue our forward momentum,” said East River CEO and general manager Bob Sahr.
During the annual meeting presentation, East River leadership reflected on the cooperative’s 75 years of service and reviewed the achievements of the past year. They highlighted work on the largest construction work plan in East River’s history and ongoing transmission system upgrade plan projects, which strengthen infrastructure, meet growing demand and enhance reliability.
At the annual meeting lunch, East River’s leadership honored Jim Ryken, member-owner of Clay-Union Electric, with East River Electric’s Eminent Service Award. Jim served the cooperative family for nearly four decades, with 36 years of cooperative service on the Clay-Union Electric board of directors, including 27 years as the Clay-Union representative on East River’s board, 16 of which he served as board president. His leadership helped strengthen East River Electric and its member systems, improving the lives of people across the region. 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. Outgoing director Trevor Job, from the City of Elk Point, was recognized for his service, and board treasurer Bert Rogness of H-D Electric received a service award for over 20 years of service on the East River board of directors.
The afternoon session opened with a look back at the last 75 years of East River’s history, specifically focusing on the past 25 years, presented by Chief Member and Public Relations Officer Chris Studer, followed by a manager’s panel discussion on East River’s history featuring Ken Schlimgen of Central Electric, Matt Hotzler of H-D Electric and Tim O’Leary of Lyon-Lincoln Electric. During the panel, managers reflected on their own cooperative systems and how they see the road ahead by sharing perspectives on the changes they’ve experienced and the opportunities they see for the future. After the panel, Basin Electric Cooperative CEO Todd Brickhouse provided an update on Basin’s priorities and ongoing work. A business meeting followed the general session of the annual meeting, during which the election of directors 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 Alan Vedvei (Right) provided an update to the co-op’s membership during East River’s 75th annual meeting.
May 22, 2025 | Latest News
East River Electric Power Cooperative is excited to announce the three winners of the fourth annual Who Powers You? contest, who were chosen from among its 20 finalists. Each year, the contest, held in partnership among Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives throughout the region, spotlights outstanding individuals and organizations across eastern South Dakota and western Minnesota 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.”
A total of twenty finalists were featured weekly on KELOLAND Living from March through mid-May. Three contest winners were announced on May 22, 2025. Winners were chosen by a panel of judges.
Area IV Senior Nutrition, headquartered in Northern Electric Cooperative’s service territory, has been awarded the first-place grand prize in the contest.
The organization serves individuals across a 16-county region in central and northeastern South Dakota. For 51 years, they have worked to support the health and wellness of older adults by providing nutritious meals and meaningful social connections. Their efforts not only help seniors maintain physical health but also foster emotional well-being through companionship.
As the grand prize winner, Area IV Senior Nutrition received a $3,000 award to support its continued efforts. The Who Powers You? award recognizes the organization and those who work and volunteer there as true ambassadors of rural communities and the individuals within them.
The second place, $1,500 prize, was awarded to GROW South Dakota. Headquartered in the Traverse Electric Cooperative service territory, the organization serves residents across the entire state of South Dakota. It provides vital programs and services that support housing, community development, economic advancement, digital literacy, financial coaching, and more, including energy efficiency outreach like a weatherization program that helps residents lower energy costs and improve their home comfort and safety. The organization’s work is an excellent example of how giving back strengthens and empowers communities. They are powering the region through their dedication and mission to support individuals in numerous ways.
Higgins-Jessen-Olson Post #88 American Legion of White and Toronto, located in the Sioux Valley Energy Cooperative service area, was awarded the third-place $500 award in the contest. For the past 35 years, the post has actively honored veterans and promoted flag advocacy. Their four-person honor guard presents the colors at Deubrook High School sporting events, graduations, and other extracurricular activities. They have also presented at other events in the area when ROTC cadets were unavailable. In the past year alone, the post presented the colors 32 times. They are a shining example of commitment to the communities they live in.
To learn more about the Who Powers You? contest, visit whopowersyoucontest.com.
May 19, 2025 | Latest News
Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives in eastern South Dakota and western Minnesota honored some of the area’s most impressive high school seniors Saturday, May 3, during the 23rd Annual Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Year Banquet and recognition held at the Student Center on the campus of Lake Area Technical College.
The event honored the 33 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.
Presley Slaba, a senior at Wagner High School within Charles Mix Electric’s service territory, was selected during the banquet as the Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Year and received a $1,000 award. Lauren Hofer a senior at Mitchell High School, within Central Electric’s territory, and Grayson Rice a senior at Gayville-Volin High School, within Clay-Union Electric’s territory, received $500 scholarship awards. The winners’ names were drawn from among those in attendance.
Lake Area Technical College President Tiffany Sanderson was the keynote speaker. Dakota News Now multimedia journalist Parker Brown 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.
Apr 15, 2025 | Latest News
East River Electric’s 61st annual fundraiser to support LifeScape was a success, raising over $37,000. LifeScape is an organization that promotes independence for over 2,500 children and adults with disabilities throughout South Dakota. The event was held as an online auction and an online raffle. Many local businesses generously donated items to the auction and cash to the LifeScape organization.
“The online auction and raffle were very successful and every year, I am amazed at how our employees step up for this very worthy cause. Commitment to Community is a cooperative value, and our employees strive to demonstrate it every day,” said East River CEO/General Manager Bob Sahr. “My thanks go out to all the East River employees who assisted with this event. We also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the local businesses and member cooperatives that donated items to the auction and money to LifeScape. Our fundraiser was a success because of your generosity!”
East River’s annual fundraising efforts have helped provide for the very best in medical care, therapy, education and other services for the children at LifeScape. Several local children and people from around the region are served by LifeScape.
The East River Employees Committee donated $1,000, a total matched by East River Electric at $1,000. In the 61 years since the East River fundraiser began, more than $500,000 has been raised to help LifeScape provide services to children and adults in rural South Dakota.
Mar 21, 2025 | Latest News
Crews from East River Electric Power Cooperative are supporting Northwest Iowa Power Cooperative (NIPCO) in the aftermath of a severe storm that caused significant damage to the region’s electrical infrastructure. East River Electric received a call Wednesday, March 19, requesting storm assistance and the cooperative quickly responded by organizing a team of linemen as well as specialized equipment to support restoration efforts.
An eight-person crew, including Travis Rude (crew foreman), Ryan Himley, Jordan Kisor, Erik Nesheim, Ethan Krier, Jace Jones, Cory Schwinger, and Eli Fanning will join their Iowa counterparts, as well as other co-ops providing mutual aid in Salix, Iowa, just south of Sioux City and plan for up to two weeks of work to restore the damaged infrastructure.
“Our neighbors at NIPCO have always been there for us, and we are proud to return that support in their time of need,” said East River Electric CEO and General Manager Bob Sahr. “I cannot thank our employees enough for their willingness to step up on short notice. This reflects the cooperative spirit of mutual aid and a united commitment to community.”
The conditions awaiting the crew are challenging. The storm has left poles downed and the river bottom area they will be working in is muddy and difficult to navigate, but they will do whatever is needed to help get systems up and running again while ensuring that safety remains a top priority.
Cooperation among cooperatives is one of the principles that guide East River Electric. By stepping up and providing mutual aid, East River employees can assist in recovery efforts, helping NIPCO’s members regain power as quickly and safely as possible.
