Robert Allen Wilkens

Background

Wilkens, Robert Allen was born on January 3, 1929 in Esmond, South Dakota, United States. Son of William J. and Hazel C. (Girch) Wilkens.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, South Dakot State University, 1951. Dispatcher, engineer G.O., Northwestern Public Service Company, Huron, 1953-1955, division engineer, Huron 1955-1958, division electrical superintendent, 1958-1959, division manager, 1959-1966, assistant to president, 1966-1969, vice president operations, G.O., 1969-1980, president, chief operating officer, 1980-1990, president, chief Executive officer, 1990-1994, Chairman, Board Of Directors 1994-1997, also director Vice president, past president North. Center Electric Association, past director Midwest Gas Association.

Director Farmers & Merchants.

Bank Huron; past administrative chairman, treasurer Mid-Continent Area Power Pool.

Career

Dispatcher, engineer G.O., Northwestern Public Services Company, Huron, 1953—1955. Division engineer, 1955—1958. Division electrical superintendent, 1958—1959.

Division manager, 1959—1966. Assistant to president, 1966—1969. Vice president operations G.O., 1969—1980.

President, chief operating officer, 1980—1990. President, chief executive officer, 1990—1994. Chairman board directors, 1994—1997.

Director

Vice president, past president N. Center Electric Association. Past director Midwest Gas Association. Director Farmers & Merchants Bank Huron.

Past administrative chairman, treasurer Mid-Continent Area Power Pool. Member Salvation Army Advisory Board, 1962—1987, South Dakota State R.R. Board, 1982—1987. Past president Huron United Way.

Captain United States Air Force, 1951-1953.

Achievements

• Robert Allen Wilkens has been listed as a noteworthy utilities executive by Marquis Who's Who.

Membership

Member Salvation Army Advisory Board, 1962-1987. Served to captain United States Air Force, 1951-1953. Named Distinguished Engineer, South Dakot State University, 1977.

Member North Central Electrical

Association, Midwest Gas Association, South Dakot Engineering Society, Huron Chamber of Commerce (president 1963). Lodges: Kiwanis.

Connections

Married Barbara M. Davis, April 15, 1952. Children: Bradley Alan, Beth Ann, Bonnie Sue, William Frank.

Father:

William J. Wilkens

Mother:

Hazel C. (Girch) Wilkens

Spouse:

Barbara M. Davis

child:

Beth Ann Wilkens

child:

Bonnie Sue Wilkens

child:

William Frank Wilkens

child:

Bradley Alan Wilkens