BLACK HILLS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE - Key Persons
Alan Bishop was elected in 2011 to represent Custer and Oglala Lakota Counties. Bishop grew up in eastern Custer County and graduated from Rapid City Central High School and Lake Area Vocational/Technical School in Watertown, earning an Associate's Degree in Agriculture Production. In 1995, he became the operator/manager of the Bishop family 3 Up 3 Down Ranch located near Hermosa. He is active in the Hermosa UCC Church and the Masonic Lodge. He is a lifetime member of the Custer County Fair Association and a past 4-H member and leader. Bishop and his wife, Kerry, have four children.
David Lindblom was elected to represent Pennington, Meade and Lawrence Counties in 2010. He and his wife, Starla, ranch near Hermosa. He is active in the Hermosa Volunteer Fire Department where he is currently the assistant chief and is a director for the Hermosa Rural Fire Protection District. He is a past director for the Central States Fair and for the Custer County Fair. David is currently the board's Assistant Secretary.
Dennis Quivey was elected to the board in May of 2014. He has a bachelor of science degree in agriculture economics from North Dakota State University. He worked as the assistant county supervisor for the Farmers Home Administration before becoming a loan officer at the Bank of North Dakota in Bismarck, N.D. He later became vice president of Dakota Community Bank in Mandan. In 2008, he moved to Oelrichs to take over the family ranch. Quivey is currently the president of Fall River Water Users District board, treasurer of the Oelrichs Rodeo Association, and a member of the Oelrichs fire department. He is a past member of the Mandan, N.D. Kiwanis Club, the Bismarck Elks Club and the Oelrichs School Board. Dennis is currently the board's President.
Don Andersen was elected to the board in May of 2018 to represent Fall River County. Andersen grew up near Burdock, S.D. and graduated from Edgemont High School. He served in the U.S. Navy for seven years. After his service to his country he returned to the Edgemont area and worked odd jobs until working for Golden West Telecommunications as an installer/repairman in the Edgemont area, a job that he retired from after 28 years. Andersen has always been involved in his community, including serving on the Edgemont School Board, Edgemont Volunteer Fire Department, Edgemont Water Board, the West River Foundation, Argentine Township Supervisor, Black Hills Electric Cooperative nominating committee, serving as the current commander of American Legion Post 172, a life-member of the VFW and active in his church. He and his wife, Lynda, own and operate his family's ranch near Burdock. Don is currently the board's Secretary.
Gary Kluthe was appointed to the board in 1994. Kluthe is a life-long resident of the Rapid City area. He was a real estate agent for many years and he and his wife, Donna, also owned and operated French Cleaners and Shirt Laundry in Rapid City. He is a volunteer with the Whispering Pines Rural Fire Protection District and has served as a director of the Independent Insurance Agents of South Dakota, the Rapid City Insurance Association, Rapid City Rotary Club, Central States Fair and First American Systems. The Kluthes have two children. Gary is currently the board's Treasurer.
Jim Preston was appointed in 2008 to fill the vacancy on the board. Preston served for 30 years in the U.S. Army and the South Dakota Army National Guard, including as commander of the 196th Regiment at Ft. Meade. During his years with the National Guard, Preston worked as the business manager for Custer State Park and later for the Custer School District. He was the human resources director for the City of Rapid City from 2000 to 2007 and was the city's finance director until retiring in 2012. Preston is involved with numerous committees and boards in Rapid City, including, chairman of the Capital Improvement Program committee, the Journey Museum, Community Development Block Grant committee and the Tax Increment Financing Committee. He also is a member of the American Legion, Cosmopolitan Club, Toastmasters and raises buffalo and cattle with his brothers and sister. He received his bachelor degree in business administration from the University of South Dakota, Vermillion. He also has master degrees in business administration and in public administration. Preston and his wife, Dee, live near Hermosa. Jim is currently the board's Vice President.
Job Titles:
- Director of Communications & Member Services
Job Titles:
- Board Member for Pennington
Thad Wasson was elected as board member for Pennington, Meade and Lawrence Counties in 2020. Upon his honorable discharge from the U.S. Marines, Wasson began working for CenturyLink in Colorado where he met his wife, Michelle. His job took him to Rapid City, where he continues to work for CenturyLink. He has served on multiple boards in the community, including Bethany Christian Services, St. Paul's Lutheran School and Abiding Word Lutheran Church. He and Michelle have three children and live near Johnson Siding.