Rapid City, S.D., Nov. 15, 2021 -- After an extensive search, the Board of Rushmore Electric has decided on the next CEO and General Manager. For over two decades, Vic Simmons has been stewarding Western South Dakota’s largest power provider for rural communities. As Rushmore Electric begins its seventy-second year, Kory Hammerbeck will be leading the charge.
Born and raised in South Dakota, Hammerbeck is well versed in the storied history of cooperative principles... “I am committed to continuing excellence to the cooperatives we serve. Having grown up on a cooperative-served family farm and ranch, I hold a special understanding of the needs of our members.”
Hammerbeck started with Rushmore Communication, a division of Rushmore Electric, in 2000 as a technician. After a promotion to a systems analyst for Rushmore Electric, Hammerbeck was eventually chosen to be the Operations Manager for all of Rushmore Electric. He will hit the ground running with a staff that is already familiar with his leadership style. Board President Dwight Rossow, had similar thoughts on the board’s decision. “In a position like this, the board must seriously consider all great options. One of the great things about this area is that we get a trove of fantastic candidates from all over the nation. Even with those options - we felt that we chose the right candidate in Hammerbeck. Continuity was very important to our members, and we’re excited to see Kory lead the way.”
Hammerbeck will be replacing Vic Simmons, who will be retiring after 44 years of utility experience. Kory knows he has some big shoes to fill. “Vic has been one of the biggest reasons Rushmore Electric has been able to do what it has over the years. I feel lucky to have learned from him and even luckier to continue as the CEO after his tenure.”
Simmons echoed similar thoughts. “There are many changes coming to how and what we power in our homes and businesses in the future. The board chose somebody who I feel will navigate those waters well while maintaining the cooperative principles that make us what we are.” Simmons was the head of the power provider for more than twenty-two years and has built an impressive leadership history in the cooperative world.
ABOUT RUSHMORE ELECTRIC:
Rushmore Electric is the wholesale power provider for eight rural electric cooperatives in western and central South Dakota. Rushmore Electric buys the bulk of its power from Basin Electric Power Cooperative who operates energy facilities in Wyoming, Iowa, Montana, South Dakota, and North Dakota. The Rapid City-based company also provides a variety of services to co-ops and agencies through its Rushmore Engineering and Rushmore Communications businesses. Rushmore Electric also provides contract labor and facilities to Rushmore Electric Federal Credit Union, which provides credit union services to electric cooperative employees in western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming.
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For more information about this, please contact Rushmore Electric by calling 605-342-4759, or for interview requests please email brad.jurgensen@thehomeslicegroup.com