| Posted in: News
After years of dedicated service to public power and MRES, (now retired) Utility Director Brad Palmer from Pierre, South Dakota, retired from the MRES board of directors with a legacy of thoughtful leadership and commitment to member communities.
Palmer joined the MRES board in June 2022. Throughout his tenure, he helped guide important discussions involving MRES power supply resources, infrastructure investments and long-term reliability strategies that benefit member communities and customers.
A longtime public power leader, Palmer served the City of Pierre for more than 20 years, most of those as utility director. In 2025, he was inducted into the South Dakota Municipal League Hall of Fame in recognition of his contributions to municipal government and public service.
Reflecting on his time with MRES, Palmer said he is most proud of helping oversee the transition to a new generation of organizational leadership while maintaining the employee-focused culture for which MRES is known. He also noted the growing challenges utilities face in developing new generation and transmission resources to meet rising energy demands.
Palmer praised MRES for the support it provides beyond power supply, serving as a trusted resource and advocate for members at the local, state, regional and federal levels.
In retirement, Palmer and his wife, Gidget, plan to relocate to Rapid City, where they look forward to spending more time with family, enjoying the Black Hills and continuing their prison ministry work. While he may miss his board meeting trips to Sioux Falls, Palmer leaves MRES with confidence in its future and appreciation for the communities and people he has served.