Mike McQuistion: Remembering a Legacy of Service

On Feb. 17, 2026, the cooperative family lost a dedicated leader and friend. Committed to service and responsibility, Mike McQuistion had a long history with rural electric cooperatives. His unwavering service, which spanned nearly three decades, left a lasting mark on Basin Electric, its member cooperatives, and the communities they serve.

McQuistion was elected to the West Central Electric Cooperative board in 1996 at just 26 years old and quickly discovered a passion for cooperative leadership. In the years that followed, he also served on the boards of Rushmore Electric Cooperative and the South Dakota Rural Electric Association, earning respect as a thoughtful leader and committed advocate for cooperative members in South Dakota.

In 2013, McQuistion joined the Basin Electric Board of Directors representing District 7. There, he continued the work that had defined his career: helping ensure reliable, affordable power was available for the rural communities he knew so well. Though the challenges facing the energy industry grew more complex over time, McQuistion never lost sight of the cooperative mission. As he often said, the goal remained simple: keep the lights on and the rates down.

Those who worked alongside McQuistion knew him as someone who approached every issue with a practical perspective shaped by agriculture and rural life. Like the ups and downs farmers face each year, he understood that the energy industry also experiences cycles. His steady outlook and willingness to listen made him a valued voice at the board table, where discussion and collaboration were at the heart of cooperative governance.

“Mike was more than just a fellow director,” Wayne Peltier, board president and District 9 representative, says. “He was a devoted friend to all of us and the first one to be there when you needed someone.”

Director Anthony Larson, who represents District 8, says he’s thankful for the business and personal relationship he had with McQuistion and appreciates the positive impact he had on Basin Electric. “Mike’s voice was soft in volume, but it spoke loudly toward the cooperative principles and his commitment to serving the members at the end of the line.”

There’s no question that McQuistion’s knowledge, dedication, and service will leave a lasting imprint on Basin Electric and the members he supported, but it’s his commitment to cooperative principles, thoughtful leadership, and deep respect for rural America that will continue to influence the cooperative family for years to come.