Board photoBoard Members

David R. Emery, age 46, has been our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer since 2005. Prior to that, he held various positions with the Company, including President and Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Operating Officer - Retail Business Segment and Vice President – Fuel Resources. He was elected to our Board of Directors in January 2004. Mr. Emery has 19 years of experience with us.

David C. Ebertz, age 63, is President of Dave Ebertz Risk Management Consulting, a firm specializing in insurance and risk management services for schools and public entities, since 2000. He has previous experience in the insurance industry. Mr. Ebertz has served on our Board of Directors since 1998.

Jack W. Eugster, age 63, retired, was Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Musicland Stores, Inc. from 1980 until his retirement in 2001. He was Non-Executive Chairman of Shopko Stores, Inc. a general merchandise discount store chain from 2001 to 2005. Mr. Eugster was elected to the Board of Directors in 2004 and currently chairs the Compensation Committee.

John R. Howard, age 68, retired, was President of Industrial Products, Inc., which provided equipment and supplies to the mining and manufacturing industries, from 1992 to 2003 and was Special Projects Manager for Linweld, Inc. Mr. Howard was elected to the Board of Directors in 1977 and currently chairs the Governance Committee.

Kay S. Jorgensen, age 58, is involved in numerous business activities and is Owner and Chief Executive Officer of KSJ Enterprises, LLC, providing marketing and development services since 2006. She was Former Owner and Chief Executive Officer of Jorgensen-Thompson Creative Broadcast Services, Inc., a radio broadcast services company, from 1997 to 2005. She previously served in the South Dakota State Legislature and on various state and local boards and commissions. Ms. Jorgensen has served on the Board of Directors since 1992 and currently serves as Presiding Director.

Stephen D. Newlin, age 56, is Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of PolyOne Corporation, a global premier provider of specialized polymer materials, services and solutions, since 2006. Prior to that he was President of the Industrial Sector of Ecolab, Inc., a global leader of services, specialty chemicals and equipment serving industrial and institutional clients, from 2003 to 2006. Mr. Newlin was elected to the Board of Directors in 2004.

Gary L. Pechota, age 59, is President and Chief Executive Officer of DT-TRAK Consulting, Inc., a medical billing services company, since December 2007. He was retired from 2005 to 2007. Prior to that he was Former Chief of Staff of the National Indian Gaming Commission from 2003 to 2005. He was a private investor and consultant from 2001 until 2003. Prior to that, he held executive positions in the cement industry and positions in finance and accounting. Mr. Pechota was elected to the Board of Directors in 2007.

Warren L. Robinson, age 58, retired, was Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of MDU Resources Group, Inc., a diversified energy and resources company, from 1992 until his retirement in January 2006. Mr. Robinson was elected to the Board of Directors in 2007.

John B. Vering, age 59, is Managing Director of Lone Mountain Investments, Inc., agricultural and oil and gas investments, since 2002. He co-founded PMT Energy, LLC, a natural gas and exploration company focused on the Appalachia Basin in 2003. Mr. Vering was elected to the Board of Directors in 2005.

Thomas J. Zeller, age 61, has been President of RESPEC, a technical consulting and services firm with expertise in engineering, information technologies and water and natural resources since 1995. Mr. Zeller has been a member of the Board of Directors since 1997 and currently chairs the Audit Committee.