Jerry Freeman was named SDEC person of the year at the 2009 Annual Conference.

Mike Sprang SDEC Chairman of Person of the Year Committee on the right presented the Award to Jerry Freeman at the 2009 SDEC Conference.

Born July 17th, 1949 the seventh child of Tom and Agnes Freeman in Rapid City, SD. Jerry grew up and attended school in Rapid City graduating from Rapid City High School in 1967. Following High School, he attended Black Hills State College while working part-time for Baumgartners Electric and Slaughter Electric. In November of 1969 he started working full time for Electric Service later changed to Freemans Electric the company his father founded which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.

In 1973 he completed the Electrical Contractors of South Dakotas four-year journeyman training course. In 1975 Jerry moved to Loveland, Colorado where he worked for Canyon Valley Electric as a journeyman electrician. Two years later he co-founded Thomas Electric Inc. where Jerry bid and worked on several projects in Colorado.

On August 2, 1980 Jerry married Annette Robinson. The couple continued to live and work in Loveland until March of 1984 when they decided to move back to Rapid City to work in the family business owned by his father and brothers, Joe and Bob. In 1997 he became part owner of Freemans Electric Service along with his present partners, Marty Larson and Steve Struble.

Jerry has served the industry of his profession: He has served on both boards of the SDEC and B.H. Chapter for over 10 years and was one of the original Board members of the Black Hills Chapter and was president 1995. In 1996 Jerry served as the president of the state SDEC.  His family has always played an active role on the SDEC. Since its inception his father Tom, brothers Joe and Bob have all served on the State board. His Dad and Brothers meant a great deal to Jerry and they all believed in giving back to the industry. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Construction Industry Center in Rapid City. He has been a member of the Elks Lodge for 28 yrs.

As a child he began hunting at the family cabin in the dead of winter and enjoying sports on the little league baseball diamond in the heat of summer. He has supported, played and coached baseball and softball for many years. Jerry has bowled for over forty years including a 300 game on March 13. 1990. His real passion now is golf playing any time he gets the chance. He recorded a Hole-In-One in September 19,1998. How many people can say they have had a Hole in One and a 300 game? Jerrys proud to say I can!