Our Mission
The purpose of the South Dakota Electrical Council is to promote and improve the electrical industry within South Dakota.
The council strives to promote technical and product knowledge, continuing education, and better communication among its members through trade shows, joint utility training, newsletters, awards and individual chapters of the South Dakota Electrical Council.
The SDEC and its membership are committed to building cooperation, fostering goodwill, and developing pride among all segments of the electrical industry.
Note: The South Dakota Electrical Council is a non profit organization supporting the electrical industry in South Dakota. We are not the same as the South Dakota Electrical Commission, which is the SD State Commission in charge of licensing electricians. Their website is at Electrical Commission
SDEC Annual Conference
The 2023 Annual Conference will be held April 14-15, 2023 at the Best Western Plus Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
The 2022 Conference was held April 29-30, 2022, at the Arrowwood Resort at Cedar Shore, Oacoma, SD.
The 2021 conference was held at the Huron Event Center in Huron, South Dakota on April 16-17, 2021.
Unfortunately, the South Dakota Electrical Council Annual Conference for 2020 was canceled due to COVID-19.
2022 Person of the Year- Bob Jarding
Bob Jarding
I grew up in Humboldt, SD with 3 brothers and 3 sisters. I graduated from West Central High School and joined the South Dakota Air National Guard that same spring, serving out (2) enlistments, for a total 10 years. I came back from basic training and advanced Technical Training in September of 1982, and went to work doing general construction labor. In September of 1983 I enrolled at Mitchell Technical College. During that time I worked for Muth Electric, and in May of 1984, I was accepted into the Dakotas Areawide Local 426 Apprenticeship program. I married the love of my life Brenda in October of 1984, and we now have 4 daughters (Amy, Sarah, Becky, and Morgan) along with 6 grandchildren.
In the 1980’s we were rotated to multiple shops during our apprenticeship, to gain a variety of experience. I started working at Electric Supply and stayed there for approximately 1 year, then rotated about every six months to other contractors. I had the pleasure of working for Tunge Electric, A&M Electric, Dakota Electric, and Electric Construction during my apprenticeship. My last 6 months of apprenticeship brought me back to Electric Supply Co.
Upon completion of my apprenticeship, I tested for the JW License in 1988. I was offered a part-time position as an instructor for the Dakotas Areawide Apprenticeship in Sioux Falls and taught classes in the evenings for the next 5 years. While working as an instructor, I tested for the Inspector License in 1990 and have carried that license in addition to my JW and Contractor’s license since that time.
In 1991 the opportunity to become a partner at Electric Supply was offered, and I have been an owner/partner since then. I have served on various boards over the years associated to our electrical trade including Apprenticeship Training, Pension, Health & Welfare, and 401K Trusts, and the SDEC Board of Directors. I am presently serving on the Sioux Falls Electrical Board of Appeals.
It has been an honor to also be involved with the Dakotas Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association. Since becoming a partner at Electric Supply, I have been on the Board of Directors for the Chapter for over 25 years, served as an Executive Officer, Governor and I am presently the President of the Chapter. I have recently completed (3) full terms on the Southeast Technical College Board of Directors, which included a term as Chairman.
In addition to our electrical trade, I have been involved with our Associated General Contractors Building Chapter for a number of years serving as Associate Member Board President and also served 3 terms on the Building Chapter Board of Directors. My time within our industry has been a gift and I love our trade. I have also enjoyed being able to give back to our community by serving on the Bishop Dudley House Board of Directors and the Holy Spirit Catholic Church Parish Council. If I were asked to offer a piece of advice to those entering our trade, it would be to enjoy your work, be professional, make good relationships and give something back to our industry.
See the Person of the Year page for previous recipients
SDEC Website Sponsors include:
