Since 2010, Todd Van Walleghen of rural Letcher has been the Sanborn County director for Central Electric Cooperative. Following 15 years of dedicated service, he is not seeking reelection this year, giving somebody new the chance to serve.
Board members set the strategic direction and goals for the cooperative. During his time as a director, Todd has been involved with a number of significant accomplishments, including the planning and construction of the Betts Road headquarters in 2012, a new shop in Wessington Springs in 2015 and a new shop in Howard being constructed this year. Todd was also instrumental in the hiring of General Manager Ken Schlimgen following Loren Noess’s retirement in 2015, the launch of the Operation Round-Up grant program and the adoption of the accelerated line replacement program to enhance electric reliability.
Members might be curious to know how Todd ended up on the Central Electric board of directors. In 2010, the Sanborn County director seat was being vacated, and outgoing director Ron Uttecht from the Alpena area encouraged Todd to run.
Todd had previously served with Ron’s son, Darrin Uttecht, on the Sanborn County Farm Service Agency (FSA) board. “Ron wouldn’t take no for an answer,” Todd recalls, and the rest is history.
From financial dealings to strategic planning, Todd’s farming background helped him succeed in his role as a director and eventually vice president.
“Treat it the same way you would run a business and try to make good decisions,” he said.
Farming wasn’t Todd’s first profession. After high school, he attended South Dakota State University and earned degrees in biology and microbiology with a minor in chemistry. After graduating with his second degree in 1986, Todd worked for Conagra Frozen Foods, first in Missouri and later in California, where he met his wife, Kim.
Todd knew about Conagra because his uncle worked there, and his education enabled him to become the assistant lab manager. The company is still operating today as Conagra Brands, known for products such as Chef Boyardee, Slim Jim, Orville Redenbacher’s popcorn and Marie Callender’s pot pies.
The plant Todd was working at shut down in 1992, and that’s when he and Kim decided to move to Letcher to farm with Todd’s dad, Merlin Van Walleghen. They have been growing corn and soybeans on the family farm ever since.
From working as a microbiologist and chemist to owning and operating a farm, Todd learned some lessons and acquired some wisdom leading up to his time on the Central Electric board.
He shared this advice for the next member to fill the seat. “There’s a great deal of knowledge in the board room between the other directors and the management staff. Listen and ask questions. Common sense will get you a long way.”
After his time as a director comes to a close, Todd said he will miss the people and the relationships he has built.
“I’ve made a lot of friends, and I’ve stayed in contact with retired board members, too,” he said. “It’s a good bunch of people.”
Todd and Kim have three adult children, and Kim operates a carpentry business called Aerie Construction. While the couple won’t have to worry about board meetings every month, they don’t have any big plans for Todd’s newfound time.
“It will definitely be easier to make plans,” he said. “I won’t have to schedule around meetings if we want to go do something.”
Board President Duane Wolbrink said, “Todd will be greatly missed in the board room. His various business experiences and time serving on other boards made him a huge asset for Central Electric. When the discussions were serious during a board meeting, we could always count on Todd for his common sense and business mind to give wise counsel.”
Besides serving as a director for Central Electric, Todd has also been active with the Sanborn County FSA board, Cenex CHS Farmers Alliance board, De Smet Farm Mutual Insurance board and, most recently, the South Dakota Association of Cooperatives (SDAC) board.
A new director will be elected at the Sanborn County district meeting on the evening of May 22, 2025. Todd’s term officially ends following Central Electric’s annual meeting on Sept. 9.