About Us

Utility Shareholders of South Dakota (USSD) was established in 2000 as an independent and organized effort to represent the collective interests, rights and concerns of utility investors owning stock in utility companies operating in South Dakota.

We have established a positive, credible and independent voice regarding issues affecting South Dakota's utility investors through a program of information, education and liaison with regulatory authorities and other branches of government.

Add your voice to that of more than 2,000 other utility investors who have recognized there is strength in numbers and joined USSD!

Utility Shareholders of South Dakota

Ensures the investor viewpoint is heard by state and national policy makers;
Mobilizes member action to help shape public policy;
Builds grassroots understanding of utility issues via print and electronic communications;
Maximizes support from other constituencies through coalitions with citizen groups, labor and business.

Join USSD and help protect your investment! The five investor-owned utility companies providing electric service in South Dakota are:

Black Hills Corporate - http://www.blackhillscorp.com/

MDU Resources Group, Inc. - http://www.mdu.com/

NorthWestern Energy - http://www.northwesternenergy.com/

Otter Tail Corporation - http://www.ottertail.com/

Xcel Energy - http://www.xcelenergy.com/

Board of Directors

	RON KRAFT President Ron Kraft was born and raised in Mapleton, Iowa, and is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa. He practiced community and economic development in Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, South Dakota, and Europe. Ron was Executive Director of the Yankton Office of Economic Development from February of 1995 until January 2006. Ron has retired and resides in Yankton with his wife, Pat.

	JULIE SMORAGIEWICZ Secretary Julie Smoragiewicz was born in Sioux Falls, SD. She is owner and blogger of Dakota Thyme - Adventures from a Prairie Kitchen. Julie earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in counselor education from the University of Toledo where she served as an administrator for a decade. She returned to South Dakota in December of 1994 to continue her career at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology where she served as vice president for University and Public Relations until 2009. Julie is a past board member and board president of the Allied Arts Fund Drive. She has also served on the United Way, Future Fair, and the Journey Museum boards. She is a current board member of the Rapid City Chamber of Commerce and a graduate of Leadership Rapid City. She has lead strategic development initiatives for community organizations including Faith Lutheran Church and the Rapid City Racers Swim Team. Julie and her husband have two sons, Tyler and Tony. Julie's hobbies include cooking, gardening, travel, and supporting her family's involvement in swimming, running, triathlons, and music.

	DAVID BRANDT Treasurer David Brandt was born in Estherville, Iowa. He received his BA from the University of Northern Iowa and has worked as an accountant, financial planner, and valuation analyst. David worked with McGladrey, Hansen, Dunn & Co. in Clinton, Iowa, until 1969, when he became a partner with Wohlenberg, Gage and Co. in Sioux Falls. In 1980, David became managing partner of LaFollette, Jansa, Brandt & Co. in Sioux Falls. He has served as a Board Member for the Sioux Falls School District, SD Society of CPAs, the Sioux Falls Volunteer and Information Center, Sioux Falls Literacy Council, Sioux Falls Area Jr. Achievement, and the SD affiliate of the American Diabetes Assn. He has also been involved with a number of professional organizations. David is presently treasurer of Asbury United Methodist Church. David and his wife, Ruth, have two children, Lesley and Jonathan.

	LARRY FROST Larry Frost was born and raised in Ashton, SD. He graduated from Northwestern High School and attended SDSU. Larry worked for Northwestern Public Service Co. for 40 years, and was the Region Manager upon his retirement in 1999. In 2000, Larry ran for the SD House of Representatives and was elected and served three terms. He was vice-chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee and also served on the State Affairs Committee. Larry was selected as the Conservation Legislator of the year in 2006 by the Brown County Sportsman Club. Larry is a former president of the Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce, is the immediate past president of the Aberdeen Development Corporation, and he has served on that board for the past 8 years. It was during his presidency that Molded Fiber Glass Co. was brought to Aberdeen. This company manufactures blades for wind generators. Larry is currently chairman of the Trustee Committee at Presentation College. Hobbies include golf, archery, hunting, walking and politics. Larry and his wife, Connie, reside in Aberdeen and enjoy 3 grown children and 2 college age grandchildren.

	MIKE TRYKOSKI Mike Trykoski was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago with a BS in Electrical Engineering. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force upon graduation. He was assigned to the 821st Communications Squadron at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota where he supervised the operation of the Base Communication Center. At the end of his Air Force assignment, Mike returned to Chicago and joined the Commonwealth Edison Company as an electrical engineer in August 1965. While at Commonwealth, Mike obtained a Masters in Business Administration degree from Loyola University in 1974. Mike joined the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) in Washington, DC from 1978 until his early retirement in October 1997. He then formed his own consulting company, Rushmore Professional Services, which specializes in technical writing on electric utility issues. Mike's primary consulting work has been for the North American Electric Reliability Council. Mike and his wife Mary relocated to Rapid City in July 1998. They have two children, David and Maria.

	WARREN LOTSBERG Warren Lotsberg was born in Chicago, IL in 1942, raised near Minneapolis, MN and spent most of his adult life in SD. After graduating from high school at Buffalo, MN, he spent a year in the US Navy. After being discharged from the Navy, he attended the University of MN. He went to work for an outdoor billboard company in 1964, and then purchased its SD operation 10 years later creating Warren Advertising. The business was liquidated in 1979 as a result of the Highway Beautification Act. Warren joined Northwestern Public Service Co. in 1980 as Manager of Consumer Affairs. For the next 20 years, Warren served as the voice and face of Northwestern. He rose to be vice president of Public Affairs. Through extensive public speaking his weekly radio program called "Perspective", was broadcast on 15 stations three times a week and Warren appeared in Northwestern television ads becoming known as "Mister Northwestern Public Service." It culminated when Warren retired from NorthWestern Energy in August 2005. Warren also had a second career that actually transcended all others. He is one of the senior and best known lobbyists in the SD state legislature. It began when his billboard business came under attack due to the federal Highway Beautification Act, and he became active in defending the industry as a lobbyist; something that continued through the years and became one of his primary responsibilities while at NorthWestern. Warren has been a lobbyist in the SD legislature for 38 years.

	STEVE WILLARD Steve Willard is the Executive Director of the SD Electric Utility Companies where he is primarily responsible for lobbying, legislative strategy and advocacy on behalf of South Dakota’s investor-owned utility companies. Steve is also responsible for SDEUC’s strategic planning, issue campaign participation, and other company support. Steve has been a lobbyist since 1990 and has managed associations in South Dakota for twenty years, including the SD Broadcasters, SD Beef Industry Council, SD Board of Dentistry, SD Funeral Directors, and SD Life Underwriters. Willard’s previous experience includes work for the state, a city and a school Superintendent's office. Steve and his wife Marla, have two children, Sam and Jesse, and have lived in Pierre since 1990.