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.
Brian Baum, Director
Contact: Brian Baum
Email: bbaum@dakotaenergy.coop
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).
Chase Binger, Director
Contact: Chase Binger
Email: cbinger@dakotaenergy.coop
Term: 2018 - 2024
Bio: Chase represents the Beadle District
Chase runs a ranch/farm with parents and his wife, Cyndi by Hitchcock. He graduated from Hitchcock-Tulare School in 2007 and Lake Area Tech with an Ag Production Degree in 2009. Chase has served as a Dakota Energy Cooperative Director since 2018. He also serves on the Hitchcock-Tulare School board and the Bonilla Presbyterian Session. Chase married his wife Cyndi from Ramona in 2012 and has 2 kids.
Brian Bonebright, Treasurer
Contact: Brian Bonebright
Email: bbonebright@dakotaenergy.coop
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.
Todd Bushong, CCD, Director
Contact: Todd Bushong
Email: tbushong@dakotaenergy.coop
Term: 2012 - 2024
Bio: Todd represents the Ree District
Chad Dearborn, Director
Contact: Chad Dearborn
Email: cdearborn@dakotaenergy.coop
Term: 2020 - 2024
Bio: Chad represents the Ree District
Nick Nemec, Vice-President
Contact: Nick Nemec
Email: nnemec@dakotaenergy.coop
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: draschke@dakotaenergy.coop
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: dschaefers@dakotaenergy.coop
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.
The Board of Directors meet each month at the Huron office at 10:00 a.m. The 2024 meeting dates are:
- January 23, 2024
- February 27, 2024
- March 26, 2024
- April 23, 2024
- May 28, 2024
- June 25, 2024
- July 23, 2024
- August 27, 2024
- September 26, 2024
- October 22, 2024
- November 26, 2024
- December 19, 2024