Company Presidents
Neil G. Simpson
Neil Simpson, former President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Black Hills Power and Light Company, had an illustrious electric industry career. It began in 1937 with Dakota Power Company and continued until 1983. Upon retirement in 1978, he continued as Chairman of the Board of Directors. He held that position until 1981 when he stepped down at the age of 68. He remained on the Board of Directors for two more years.
Throughout his career, Neil was recognized as a leader in the industry, a dedicated community worker, and a true friend with compassion for both customers and employees.
Neil Simpson was born on February 27, 1913, at Cody, Nebraska. He attended grammar school and high school at Chadron, Nebraska. While attending the School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City he married Virginia Pier of Belvidere, South Dakota, in 1937. Neil was a member of the South Dakota School of Mines football team for four years, two as co-captain, and was an All Conference Team selection in 1937 and 1938. He graduated in 1939 with a degree in general engineering.
Neil Simpson began his electric industry career with Dakota Power Company in 1937 while he was still in college. In 1941, when Black Hills Power and Light Company was organized, he was elected Vice President. By 1946, he was elected to the Board of Directors and served for 35 years in that capacity. In 1950, he was elected Vice President and General Manager and elevated to President in 1957. He was elected Vice President of Wyodak Resources Development Corp. in 1956 when that corporation was formed.
In 1972 he became Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Black Hills Power and Light Company and President of Wyodak Resources Development Corp. (WRDC), and in 1974, he became Chairman of the Board of WRDC. Neil stepped down as President in 1972 when he became Chairman of the Board of Directors.
The community service record of Neil Simpson is challenged by few people. He provided leadership on a local, state, regional and national level. Neil was a dedicated and vocal advocate of the free enterprise system and promoted the private sector with his time, efforts, and his own money.
A note taken from the June 1948, Lamplighter demonstrates the kind of man Neil Simpson was: "We sincerely want to thank Neil Simpson for keeping in touch with everybody during the war. We can truthfully say that his 'Company Letter' was like greetings from old friends for the guys in fox holes, on ships, on lonely islands, or wherever they might have been. To people who had to stay home and work longer hours because the system was shorthanded, it gave them a chance to know where their pole buddies and co-workers were stationed. All in all, it added up to a darn swell idea and all of us are deeply appreciative."
During Company meetings with as many as 225 husbands and wives in attendance, Neil could introduce by first name every employee and wife in the room.
Neil Simpson died on May 24, 1986.