DAKOTA ENERGY'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
Email: bbaum@dakotaenergy.coop
Term: 2023 - 2026
Bio: Brian represents the membership-at-large.
After graduating from Alpena High School, he attended Northern State University on a football scholarship and earned a degree in criminal justice and business. He then returned to his family’s farm near Alpena.
From 2009 to 2022, Brian worked in a variety of positions with South Dakota Wheat Growers and Agtegra. In 2022, he transitioned to farming full time.
His years working for Agtegra, combined with his experience as a member-owner, give him firsthand insight into the cooperative business model. He particularly values the cooperative principles of Education, Training and Information; Concern for Community; and Democratic Member Control.
Brian and his wife, Jessica, have three sons: Tucker, Jack and Riggs.
Brian Bonebright, Treasurer
Email: bbonebright@dakotaenergy.coop
Term: 2023 - 2026
Bio: Brian represents the Beadle District.
Brian is a graduate of South Dakota State University with a bachelor’s degree in dairy science and a minor in business and economics. After a 34-year career as a senior executive in the U.S. dairy industry, he returned to rural Wessington as the fourth generation of his family to operate their grain and livestock farm.
Brian and his wife, Deb, also own and operate ACE Hardware stores in Miller and Redfield. He serves as vice president of the On Hand Economic Development Board of Directors and has served on numerous professional, civic and community boards throughout his career.
Brian and Deb have been married for 39 years and have two adult children. They attend Community Church of St. Lawrence. Brian is a strong advocate for the cooperative business model and believes it gives members a meaningful voice in the direction and operation of their cooperative.
Daniel Langbehn, Secretary
Email: dlangbehn@dakotaenergy.coop
Term: 2024 - 2027
Bio: Daniel represents the Beadle District.
A lifelong Beadle County resident, Dan has been a Dakota Energy member since 1974. He and his wife, Pam, live south of Huron, where they raised their three children.
Dan graduated from Huron High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in information systems from Dakota State University. Now retired from his career as a technology coordinator and network administrator, he continues working as a substitute teacher in the Huron School District.
Dan joined the board to give back to the cooperative and serve as a direct connection between Dakota Energy and its members. He is committed to keeping electricity safe, reliable and affordable while preparing the system for future generations.
Dan enjoys spending time with his grandchildren, hunting, and working in his garden.
JoAnn Morford, Director
Email: jmorford@dakotaenergy.coop
Term: 2024 - 2027
Bio: JoAnn represents the Ree District.
JoAnn lives near Miller and grew up on her family’s farm north of Highmore. After graduating from Highmore High School, she attended South Dakota State University, earning degrees in agricultural business and commercial economics.
JoAnn began her career as an agricultural loan officer, a position she held for six and a half years. She later earned the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) and Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designations and has worked as a registered investment representative for more than 38 years.
JoAnn served eight years in the South Dakota Senate. She is a lifetime member of South Dakota Farmers Union, has served on the boards of Nyoda Girl Scouts and Miller’s On Hand Economic Development, supports 4-H and FFA and is a member of First United Methodist Church in Miller.
Her connection to the cooperative spans generations. Her grandfather, L. R. Morford, was one of the founding directors of Ree Electric, and her uncle, Carroll Morford, later served on the board.
Nick Nemec, Vice-President
Email: nnemec@dakotaenergy.coop
Term: 2025 - 2028
Bio: Nick represents the Ree District.
Nick is a fifth-generation farmer and rancher in central South Dakota. He graduated from Highmore High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of South Dakota.
Nick graduated from the U.S. Marine Corps Officer Candidates School and served on active duty from 1980 to 1983. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.
His public and community service includes serving in the South Dakota House of Representatives and on the Avera-Hand County Hospital board, where he has been a member since 2014.
Nick and his wife, Mary Jo, have four daughters and seven grandchildren.
Darrell Raschke, President
Email: draschke@dakotaenergy.coop
Term: 2025 - 2028
Bio: Darrell represents the Beadle District.
Darrell was raised on a farm and ranch in Gregory County. He graduated from Gregory High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and mass communications from Huron College.
Darrell served in the South Dakota National Guard and worked for Armour Foods until the plant closed. He later worked in the Right of Way Program within the South Dakota Department of Transportation’s Division of Engineering and served as a land management specialist for the South Dakota Office of School and Public Lands. He also managed the James River Water Development District and now owns Darrell Raschke Trucking.
Darrell currently serves on the boards of Mid-Dakota Rural Water and the Upper Missouri Water Users Association. He has also served on the boards of the American Legion, Beadle County Sportsman’s Club and South Dakota Rural Water Association.
Doug Schaefers, Director
Email: dschaefers@dakotaenergy.coop
Term: 2023 - 2026
Bio: Doug represents the Ree District.
Doug is a third-generation farmer in central South Dakota. He graduated from Polo High School and earned a degree in agriculture from Mitchell Technical College.
Doug and his wife, Darla, have one son, four daughters and 11 grandchildren.
Doug has served on the St. Martin’s School Board and Holy Trinity Catholic Church Finance Council. He has also served as Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus and is a member of the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association.
Schaun Schnathorst, Director
Email: sschnathorst@dakotaenergy.coop
Term: 2025 - 2028
Bio: Schaun represents the Beadle District.
Schaun lives north of Huron and is a graduate of Huron High School and Staples Technical College. He works in the City of Huron’s Engineering Department and brings more than 25 years of experience in metal fabrication and design. Throughout his career, he has worked closely with contractors on a wide range of projects.
Schaun also owns and operates Xtreme GraphiX, a custom paint shop north of Huron. He previously served as president of Windriders ABATE and chairman of the South Dakota BBQ Championship.
Outside of work, Schaun enjoys attending NHRA races, drag bike racing, smoking meats, cooking and spending time with his family. He and his wife, Shelley, have a daughter, Cassandra, and several grandchildren.
James D Wangsness, Director
Email: jwangsness@dakotaenergy.coop
Term: 2024 - 2027
Bio: James represents the Ree District.
James is a fourth-generation farmer and rancher southwest of Miller, where his great-grandfather established the family operation in 1885. A 1989 graduate of Miller High School, he earned a degree in farm management and economics from South Dakota State University.
James served two terms as a Hand County commissioner and one 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 - Agenda
- February 25, 2025 - Agenda
- March 25, 2025 - Agenda
- April 22, 2025 - Agenda
- May 27, 2025 - Agenda
- June 24, 2025 - Agenda
- July 29, 2025 - Agenda
- August 26, 2025 - Agenda
- September 17, 2025 - Agenda
- October 28, 2025 - Agenda
- November 25, 2025 - Agenda
- December 18, 2025 - Agenda