Davison County cooperative members and their families are invited to attend the District Meeting at the 4-H grounds on the west side of Mitchell at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 15. An election will be held to fill the director position left vacant by retiring board member Darwin "Butch" Morrison. Butch has served on the board since 2003.
Eligible Davison County members may vote for 1 of the 5 candidates running for the board position. Printed director candidate biographies will be provided with ballots to eligible members. A free meal is also available for those in attendance.
Here is a preview of the candidate biographies:
Jeff Gustafson of Ethan
Family: Spouse Janet; 5 children
Candidate Summary: Born and raised near Winner, but now live 4 miles from Ethan. I have worked for the S.D. Department of Transportation for 34 years. I’ve worked in Winner and been the Operations Engineer in Mitchell for 24 years. I manage our operations office and 38 staff members.
I am interested in serving on the board because I enjoy working on a team and I like to do strategic planning. I like to listen and serve others. If elected, I would commit to doing my part in helping Central Electric Continue to be a great co-op for all of its members.
Other Experience: I served 12 years on the Ethan School Board and 6 years on the Overseer Board at Northridge Baptist Church. I’ve been a volunteer coach for youth sports in Ethan for several years. Earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from SDSU.
Jon Farris of Mitchell
Family: Spouse Michele; 3 children
Candidate Summary: Originally from Woonsocket. Currently work for BankWest, Inc. in Mitchell as a Special Assets & Lending Program Officer working with troubled debt workout solutions and administering external lending programs. Previously worked for DuPont Pioneer as an account manager in east central South Dakota. Previously worked for the S.D. Department of Agriculture starting in agriculture development and ending as Deputy Secretary.
I am interested in serving on the Central Electric Board because, personally, I feel Central Electric has served the cooperative customers well. I would like to see that level of service continue as we look for new opportunity to grow in the future. We live in a changing environment in our energy supply in this world and we need to be always looking ahead for what can best serve the cooperative members. I have been involved in ag development for the last 25 years and would utilize that experience to help guide the cooperative as we move forward. I also believe in service to the community and having served on other boards and commissions I would bring that experience to this opportunity of service to the cooperative members.
I have always felt it is important to give back to the community in which we live in some manner. This is an opportunity to do that by serving on the Central Electric Board.
Other Experience: Currently serve as Chair of Dakotas America. Also serve on Mitchell United Way and Mitchell Chamber ag committee. Previously served on Dakota Resources, Oahe Hockey Association and worked with numerous ag commodity groups while at SD Department of Agriculture. Earned a Bachelor of Science degree at South Dakota State University. Earned a Master of Business Administration at University of Phoenix.
Lee Healy of Mitchell
Family: Spouse Barb; 2 children, 7 grandchildren
Candidate Summary: Originally from Montrose. Currently work for Origination LLC, Woodbury MN, 10 years as Territory Manager. I am involved with sales of livestock feed ingredients to larger feed mills in 4 states. I started an open territory and turned it into the leading sales area for the company. Previously worked for Big Green Fertilizer, Manager I went back to feed industry as that was my knowledge base. Previously worked at Golden Sun Feeds, Purina Mills, and Land O Lakes Feeds for 17 years as Territory Sales in central South Dakota. The 3 companies merged during the timeframe I worked for them. Livestock numbers changed dramatically from smaller farms to larger and many positions in the company were eliminated over 3 years.
I am interested in serving on the Central Electric Board as a committed, results-orientated individual who would be highly involved working with the rest of the board to meet growing demands for supply, as new regulations emerge for supply or distribution. I see the many obstacles being presented to the cooperative through increasing costs; how do we meet these challenges, and how I would be able to look at these with an open mind. As new generation capabilities and other opportunities present themselves, how do we approach these with an open mind to what the future outcome may be.
Other Experience: NWFMA (Northwest Feed Manufacturing Association of Minneapolis) Vice President. This club provided scholarships to ag students in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. MSHA (Mitchell Hockey) President, VP, and Secretary as well as many other committees during my role on the board. Friend deCoup, Mitchell Show Choir, assisted stage and set productions. West Central Ag (Willmar MN) VP, Treasurer, and Secretary before moving to Mitchell just prior to serving as President. This club provided roughly $40,000 annually in scholarships to students in western Minnesota, eastern North Dakota and eastern South Dakota to colleges or vo-techs. Earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from South Dakota State University.
James Schorzmann
of Mitchell
Family: Spouse Joanne; 4 children, 7 grandchildren
Candidate Summary: I was born and raised in Alpena and moved to Mitchell in 1977. I am a U.S. Air Force Veteran and member of the Mitchell American Legion, where I serve as Commander. I am a graduate of Mitchell Technical Institute with a 2-year degree in accounting. I retired from the US Postal Service after 26 ½ years of service as a city letter carrier. I have been married to Joanne for 43 years. We have 4 children and 7 grandkids, and expecting the 8th grandchild in June. We are members of the First Presbyterian Church, where I have held various leadership positions. My wife and I have owned 3 businesses. We currently own Schorzmann Vending and VictorySchorz Advertising.
The reason I think I would be a good fit for your board is because of my business experience, common sense thinking, and my willingness to accept new ideas.
Other Experience: Commander – Mitchell American Legion. U.S. Air Force Veteran. Small business owner. Earned an Associate’s Degree in Accounting from Mitchell Technical Institute.
Nathan Sparks
of Mitchell
Family: Spouse Audra; 4 children
Candidate Summary: Originally from Armour. Vice President Loan Production Officer for Dakota Mac, a division of First Dakota National Bank. I’m responsible for originating and servicing Ag Real Estate Loans throughout the Upper Midwest Region. I work out of Mitchell, South Dakota and travel South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa and Minnesota for the most part.
I am interested in serving on the Central Electric Board because the electric cooperative system has fascinated me since taking a tour of East River Electric many years ago. I believe my experiences in the finance industry coupled with the relationships I’ve built in my 25 years of banking make me a great candidate for the Central Electric Board. I have two clients who have served on their local electric boards and find their experiences very interesting.
Other Experience: Treasurer – South Dakota Ag and Rural Leadership Foundation; Chairman – John Paul II Education Committee; Member & Past Chairman – Holy Family Catholic Church Finance Committee; Board Member and Past Vice President – Mitchell Baseball Association. Graduate of South Dakota Ag and Rural Leadership Foundation, Class 2. Earned an Associate’s Degree in Ag Finance from Lake Area Technical Institute.