Skip to main content
Kansas honors military with Statement of Support
veterans

On Veterans Day, Kansas General Manager, Jerry Watkins, along with Safety Committee Ambassador, Lorraine Heinitz, and Mr. Jim Wishart, Kansas Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) chair, convened to sign an ESGR Statement of Support. 

At the ceremony, Lorraine recognized it is also National Military Family Month, and how important a strong supportive family is, not just to service members, but to everyone.

Jerry Watkins commented on how he “could not think of a better time to highlight the value of veterans in the workplace than today, Veterans Day.”  He went on say, “Originally created as Armistice Day in 1919 to recognize the end of World War I, it was officially changed to the holiday we know in 1954 by one of Kansas’ best Ambassadors, President Dwight D. Eisenhower.”

ESGR Chair, Jim Wishart thanked Black Hills Energy on behalf of the Kansas service men and women and noted that “ESGR exists to support not only the service members, but the employers across Kansas that hire them.”

Jerry Watkins closed the ceremony by saying how proud he was to have several veterans and service members in the Black Hills Energy family. This signing is a way to show our commitment to strengthening networks within the communities we serve, and to be advocates of employee participation in the military.

We partner with our communities and customers, providing the kind of energy that fuels those areas and the lives of those we serve. Feel free to share the stories and photos. Make sure to tag us on FacebookInstagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Positive Energy

  • In October, we served as one of the sponsors for the Black Hills Works Foundation 2022 annual Recognition Gala.  This year, four recipients were recognized for their amazing accomplishments — Richelle, Shane, Shannon and Adam.  Our employee, Bianca, addressed the crowd during the gala. Bianca…
  • Arkansas employees Hollie, Brian, and Helen, took time to help fill bags at the Manila Elementary School in support of the Backpack Program. We also donated $500 to the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas to help support Manila Elementary's Backpack program. Our donation helps supply food for kids…
  • As the parent of every teenager who turns on every light in the house can attest, kids must be taught to save energy. We’ve partnered with local schools to do just that. We provide educational materials as part of our energy efficiency programs in Iowa, Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming with fun…
  • Employees and their families walked a mile in red high heels and capes to benefit Working Against Violence Incorporated (WAVI), in Rapid City, South Dakota. The event’s main purpose is to raise awareness and stand against gender-based violence and sexual assault. The Black Hills Energy team took…