PEDCO Passes the Gavel "COVID Style"

With about half of the members attending (and social distancing) in person and the other half via ZOOM, the PEDCO board of directors Dec. 15 elected its 2021 slate of officers.

Andy Hubbart, Assistant Vice President of Ag and Commercial Lending at BankWest for the past eight years, was elected to a two-year term to replace outgoing Chairman Ron Wagner, First National Bank. Other officers elected were Kim Easland, American Bank and Trust, Treasurer; Mark Anderson, self-employed, Secretary; and Trustees Doug Abraham, May Adam Law Firm; Rick Dockter, Ameriprise Financial; Wagner; and Gordon Woods, SD Intrastate Pipeline.

During Wagner’s term the corporation approved four low-interest loans totaling $133,000 to support healthcare, daycare and small businesses. Lending practices in the areas of collections and illicit funds were reviewed and improved. Wagner’s term also saw new investment in the pulse processing plant near Harrold, two new scholarships for Leadership Pierre and Build Dakota, and the groundwork for Learn & Earn, a new post-secondary program being offered next year through Dakota Wesleyan University.

While Covid-19 dictated most of the activities during Wagner’s second year, PEDCO continued to provide technical assistance for the various federal loan and grant programs, the hotel tax Business Improvement District and existing borrowers needing to defer payments due to loss of business. Pierre’s economy based on sales tax continued to improve despite the pandemic.

Hubbart is a native of Brandon and earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from South Dakota State University and his master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of South Dakota. He serves on his church council and is heavily involved in Delta Waterfowl. In his spare time he enjoys hunting, fishing, golfing and spending time with his wife, Katie, and their 2-year-old son, Camden.

Hubbart was recently recognized as BankWest’s newest QUEST Employee, an award nominated by co-workers and presented to associates who consistently go above and beyond to deliver quality service.