The Black Hills, and western South Dakota, have always had a place in Robert Raker’s heart. With his passion for the outdoors, it is the perfect place to mountain bike, fish for walleye, and enjoy the Black Hills.
“I’ve always enjoyed the people, the culture, and the quality of life Western South Dakota has to offer,” he said.
Robert is always ready to learn something new, and as he worked his way through high school and college, rodeo was the challenge Robert looked to master.
After his rodeo career reached its peak, Robert looked to Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC) for direction in a different career. Finding an interest in energy, he set his sights on becoming an electrician.
“The coursework through WDTC introduced me to the industry and eventually I worked my way up through the ranks becoming a journeyman then eventually a master electrician in 2013,” said Robert.
In 2008, Robert joined the team at West River Electric Association (WREA) to manage the cooperative’s load management program – controlling usage on the power grid. In this position, Robert was able to use his technical background to communicate changes, updates, and opportunities to members in terms everyone understood.
“There are so many facets within the industry,” said Robert. “And with WREA’s professional development opportunities to continue education, I was able to see that there was opportunity to learn and grow [within the company].”
WREA is a western South Dakota rural co-op that consists of over 2,500 miles of line across a 4,500 square mile area. Their team works to provide utility services to community members outside of the populated areas of Rapid City, and is governed by its member-voted board of directors.
Although WREA has been in business for nearly 86 years, it has adapted and evolved as technology changes.
“Understanding that you’re never going to know everything is one of the most instrumental lessons I have learned throughout my career,” said Raker. “Our industry is evolving; and it’s not something unique to WREA—it’s business in general. [Change] is happening at a more rapid pace than what it has in the past, and it’s important to continue with a growth mindset.”
Robert’s acknowledgment of being a lifelong learner has progressed his career into multiple departments within WREA. He has contributed to marketing, member communications, strategic planning, and legislative affairs. In 2022, Robert received his Juris Doctorate from Mitchell Hamline School of Law which has proven to be invaluable considering the nature of utilities and government regulations.
While gaining credentials as a lawyer in 2022 was a milestone in his life, Robert’s family was also growing. Robert and his wife Billi Jo, along with their oldest daughter Charlee Jo, welcomed their newest baby girl to the Raker family – miss Andee Jo.
“Being with my family is the highlight of my day,” said Robert. “Whether we are out with the horses or mountain biking, being together is the best part.”
In December 2024, Robert was selected as the company’s CEO by the board of directors—officially beginning the position on January 3, 2025.
In the WREA release of the CEO announcement, the co-op’s board chairman Andy Moon explained that “the Board did a search both internally and externally to be certain that we would choose the right individual to lead West River Electric into the future. We felt Robert’s experience in the utility industry, along with his training and education, [made] him the best candidate.”
With their members’ best interest at the forefront of his mind, Robert is eager to continue building upon the firm foundation past WREA CEO’s have created before him.
“I am incredibly fortunate to follow behind past leadership who have positioned WREA to be a strong and adaptive organization. We have a talented team of men and women and I’m excited to lead WREA into the next phase of innovation and growth.”
This story was originally published in the May 2025 issue of Elevate Magazine.
