Dakota Energy Cooperative's Board of Directors
Dakota Energy Cooperative is governed by nine directors who are member-consumers of the cooperative. Board members are elected by the membership and serve a three-year term.
Directors meet monthly at the cooperative headquarters, typically the fourth Tuesday of each month.
Tom Baruth, Secretary
Contact: Tom Baruth
Email: [email protected]
Term: 2022 - 2025
Bio: Tom represents the Beadle District.
Tom is a third-generation farmer in rural Alpena. He is an alumni of Alpena High School and a graduate of South Dakota State University. Tom worked at the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory from 1972 - 1977. He is a lifetime member of the South Dakota Farmers Union. Tom has served on the Alpena School board, as president of the United Family Farmers, who promoted WEB and Mid-Dakota Rural Water Systems. He has served on the Santel Communications Board of Directors and held many positions at Riverview United Methodist Church.
Brian Baum, Director
Contact: Brian Baum
Email: [email protected]
Term: 2023 - 2026
Bio: Brian represents the membership-at-large
Brian lives near Alpena. He graduated from Alpena High School and attended Northern State University on a football scholarship. After graduating with a degree in criminal justice and business, he returned to the family farm. Baum worked at South Dakota Wheat Growers/Agtegra in a variety of positions from 2009 - 2022. He stepped away in 2022 to be a full-time farmer. He is committed to the coop philosophy. Three Rochdale principles guide him while being a coop member. They include education/training/and information, the principle of concern for community, and the principle of democratic control. He understands the importance of being a member-owner from the member side as well as the employee side after working at Agtegra. He is also a member of Agtegra and Farm Credit Services. Baum recently celebrated his 13th wedding anniversary to Jessica (Haigh). They have three boys, Tucker (11), Jack (8), and Riggs (5).
Brian Bonebright, Treasurer
Contact: Brian Bonebright
Email: [email protected]
Term: 2023 - 2026
Bio: Brian represents the Beadle District
Brian is a graduate of South Dakota State University with a BS degree in Dairy Science and a minor in Business and Economics. Following a 34-year career as a senior executive in the US dairy industry, Brian retired to return as the fourth generation to operate the family grain and livestock farm in rural Wessington. Additionally, Brian and his wife Deb, own and operate ACE Hardware stores in Miller and Redfield, South Dakota. Brian also serves as Vice President on the Board of Directors of On Hand Economic Development. Brian has served on numerous professional, civic, and community boards during his career. Brian and Deb have been married for 39 years and have two adult children. The Bonebright’s attend Community Church of St. Lawrence. Brian is a strong advocate for the cooperative business model, believing that there is no better way to give individuals a voice in the direction and operation of their cooperative.
Daniel Langbehn, Director
Contact: Daniel Langbehn
Email: [email protected]
Term: 2024 - 2027
Bio: Daniel represents the Beadle District
Dan Langbehn and his wife Pam live south of Huron, where they raised their three children. He has been a member of Dakota Energy Cooperative for
over 50 years. Langbehn is a Huron High School and Dakota State University graduate with a BS in Information Systems. Dan worked as the area school district’s Technology Coordinator/Network Administrator.
He is retired and enjoys working in the Huron School District during the school year as a substitute teacher. He enjoys spending time with his grandchildren, hunting, and working in his garden..
JoAnn Morford, Director
Contact: JoAnn Morford
Email: [email protected]
Term: 2024 - 2027
Bio: JoAnn represents the Ree District.
JoAnn lives near Miller, SD, having grown up on the family farm North of Highmore. She graduated from Highmore High School, and went on to attend South Dakota State University graduating with a double major in Ag. Business and Commercial Econ. JoAnn was an Ag. Loan officer for 6 ½ years before earning her Chartered Financial Consultant (CHFC) & Certified Life Underwriter (CLU) designation from Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania. She has been a Registered Investment Representative for 38 + years.
JoAnn was a South Dakota State Senator for 8 years, is a lifetime member of SD Farmers Union, has served on the Boards of Nyoda Girl Scouts and Miller’s On Hand Economic Development, is a supporter of 4-H and FFA and a member of the First United Methodist Church in Miller.
JoAnn’s grandfather, L. R Morford, was one of the founding directors of the Ree Electric organization and his son, her uncle, Carroll Morford served on the Board some years later.
Nick Nemec, Vice-President
Contact: Nick Nemec
Email: [email protected]
Term: 2022 - 2025
Bio: Nick represents the Ree District
Nick is a 5th generation farmer/rancher in central South Dakota. He is a graduate of Highmore High School and the University of South Dakota BS mathematics. Nick is a graduate of United States Marine Corps Officer Candidate School 1980-1983: Active-duty United States Marine Corps. He was in United States Marine Corps Reserve. Nick was a member of South Dakota House of Representatives and has served as aboard member of Avera-Hand County Hospital since 2014. He is married to Mary Jo (Zilverberg) 4 daughters, 7 grandchildren.
Darrell Raschke, President
Contact: Darrell Raschke
Email: [email protected]
Term: 2022 - 2025
Bio: Darrell represents the Beadle District
Darrell was raised on a farm/ranch in Gregory County. He graduated from Gregory High School and Huron College BS Business Administration and Mass Communications. Darrell served in the South Dakota National Guard and worked at Armour Foods until they closed. He worked for South Department of Transportation Division of Engineering Right of Way Program, the Office of School and Public Lands Land Management Specialist and James River Water Development District as Manager. Darrell is owner of Darrell Raschke Trucking. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Mid-Dakota Rural Water and the Board of the Upper Missouri Water Users Association. He has served on the Board of Directors of the American Legion, Beadle County Sportsman’s Club, and South Dakota Rural Water State Association.
Doug Schaefers, Director
Contact: Doug Schaefers
Email: [email protected]
Term: 2023 - 2026
Bio: Doug represents the Ree District
Doug is a 3rd Generation Farmer in central South Dakota, He graduated from Polo High School and Mitchell Technical College with an Agricultural Degree. Doug married Darla (Northrup) and has one son, four daughters and 11 grandchildren. He served on St. Martin’s School Board & Holy Trinity Catholic Church Finance Council, Knights of Columbus Grand Knight, member of SD Cattleman’s Association.
James D Wangsness, Director
Contact: James D Wangsness
Email: [email protected]
Term: 2024 - 2027
Bio: James represents the Ree District.
James is a fourth-generation farmer and rancher headquartered southwest of Miller where his great grandfather settled in 1885. He is an 1989 alumni of Miller High School and a graduate of South Dakota State University with a degree in farm management and economics. He previously served two terms as a Hand County Commissioner and one full term in the South Dakota House of Representatives. He and his wife, Tina, have one son, Ben.
The Board of Directors meet each month at the Huron office at 10:00 a.m. The 2025 meeting dates are:
- January 28, 2025
- February 25, 2025
- March 25, 2025
- April 22, 2025
- May 27, 2025
- June 24, 2025
- July 22, 2025
- August 26, 2025
- September 18, 2025
- October 28, 2025
- November 25, 2025
- December 18, 2025