Three key leaders from South Dakota’s cooperative community have been added to the South Dakota Cooperative Hall of Fame for 2024. The Hall of Fame is the highest honor that the cooperative community bestows on those who have made significant contributions to the state. Their leadership, integrity, and personal commitment have served not only cooperatives, but also their local communities.
This year’s inductees are:
- Edward Mallett, Watertown, SD – nominated by CHS, Inc., with support from Lake Area Technical College and First Premier Bank
- Don Petersen, Mitchell, SD – nominated by Central Electric Cooperative
- Dennis Rensch, Sioux Falls, SD – nominated by Madison Farmers Elevator Company
This marks the fortieth year for the Hall of Fame. Since 1985, ninety-six individuals have been inducted into the South Dakota Cooperative Hall of Fame. The SD Cooperative Hall of Fame program is sponsored by CHS, Inc., the SD Association of Cooperatives, SD Association of Telephone Cooperatives, SD Farmers Union, and SD Rural Electric Association.
Don Petersen, Mitchell – Referred to as “one of the premier business and cooperative attorneys in the state of South Dakota,” Don Petersen began acting as legal counsel to Intercounty Electric Cooperative in 1990. He was an integral part of the merger process with Tri-County Electric Cooperative. The two cooperatives became Central Electric Cooperative in 2000, where Don still serves. Don attends monthly board meetings where he provides legal counsel on policy and procedures. He attends each of the cooperative’s operation Round Up board of Trustee meetings to select recipients of cooperative grant funds. On also served as legal counsel for Dakota Energy from 2007 to 2018, and continues to serve Douglas Electric, which he has represented since 1994.
Don’s counsel guided Central Electric to address several challenges, including a merger in 2000, the relocation of a new headquarters building in 2012, the hiring of a new general manager in 2015, the creation of Operation Round Up to support nonprofits within the cooperative footprint, the construction of multiple service centers, and navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over the past 32 years, Don has contributed significantly to economic development throughout the region and state. He has assisted Central Electric, Dakota Energy, and Douglas Electric cooperatives with an estimated 18 Rural utility Service loan applications, reduced risk through legal documentation, and assisted with updated to bylaws and policies. Don’t expertise in economic development assisted the three cooperatives in obtaining 13 zero-interest loans through USDA. These loans were made to local fire departments, development corporations, schools, medical facilities, and city governments to improve the quality of life in those communities.
Don also played a part in obtaining over 50 loans through the Rural Electric Economic Development Loan Fund. These loans were used to help fund new businesses and business expansions to create and retain jobs within the cooperative’s footprint.
Don is very active in his community of Mitchell. He has served on multiple boards, including the Mitchell Area Development Corporation, Avera Queen of Peace, Abbot House Foundation, Mitchell Untied Way, Oscar Howe Art Center, Mitchell Area Charitable Foundation, City of Mitchell Planning Commission, South Dakota State Bar Business Law Committee, Dakota Mental Health, and the Mitchell Red Cross.
He has also coached Little League, volunteered for Special Olympics, and found time to teach night classes at Dakota Wesleyan University in business/employment law. For over 35 years, he has been the key advisor and consultant to the Mitchell Area Development Corporation on every major development project in the Mitchell community.
He is a trusted counsel for Central Electric and many small businesses with their expansions, acquisitions, and government relations. His work on legal and cooperative issues has greatly benefited electric cooperative consumers across South Dakota.
Don and his wife, Cindy, are active in their church, have a 22-year-old son with special needs, and are very involved parents.