Jan. 16, 2025

Muth Electric has appointed David Muth as CEO, completing a four-year succession plan.

Muth, who previously served as president and chief operations officer, began his new role Jan. 1. He succeeds his uncle, Paul Muth, who has dedicated 46 years to the business.

The Mitchell-based family business was founded in 1970 by Dick and Darlene Muth, and almost 55 years later, the company has grown into one of the largest electrical contractors in the region, serving seven states with eight locations and more than 600 employees.

“As we look to the future, one of our top priorities has been to ensure Muth Electric thrives for generations as a family-owned and -operated business, and this leadership transition underscores that vision,” Dick Muth, board chair and co-founder, said in a statement.

“David has been an integral part of the Muth Electric team for decades, and in his previous role as president and chief operations officer, he has been a driver of significant advancements for the organization. We’re excited for his leadership as our CEO.”

David, who is Dick and Darlene’s son, joined Muth Electric in 1992.

“Muth Electric has always been about people — our employees and our customers,” he said. “As we grow, my top priority is to enhance the culture we have built where every team member feels valued, supported and safe. When our employees thrive, we’re in the best position to deliver the outstanding service our customers deserve.”

Muth also will continue as president. Paul Mayer, who has been with the company for two decades, has been named chief operations officer.

In the past several years, David and Paul Muth have worked together closely to set the stage for a leadership transition. Under Paul’s leadership, Muth Electric doubled its workforce and expanded its reach.

“Paul’s leadership has been foundational to our success, and his commitment to excellence has set a high standard for all of us,” Muth said. “We are deeply grateful for his years of service and dedication to excellence that led us to this point.”

In the past two years, the company has constructed new facilities for its divisions in Sioux Falls, Mitchell, Rapid City, Omaha and Aberdeen, as well as for Muth Technology, Prefabrication and Muth Power Solutions, and a new training center for employees.

In Sioux Falls, the company now operates out of a new 24,500-square-foot building that sits on 7 acres at Foundation Park.

Recent years also have seen an expansion of the virtual design and construction department, “which drives more prefabrication to allow us to efficiently meet our customers’ schedules and needs,”  Muth said, in addition to the growth of its Muth Power Solutions division, “focused on designing and constructing any scale of automated control systems to fit our customers’ needs.”

Muth Electric has worked recently on local projects such as The Steel District, South Dakota One Stop, Maguire and Orthopedic Institute, as well as an Amazon fulfillment center in Omaha, the SDSU First Bank & Trust Arena in Brookings, an expansion at Valley Queen Cheese in Milbank, the Lawrence County Public Safety Center in Deadwood and various biogas projects statewide.

Current or upcoming projects include:

• South Dakota Soybean Processors plant in Mitchell
• South Dakota women’s prison in Rapid City
• Rapid City Regional Airport expansion
• Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment at the Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead
• Continued build-out of the B-21 mission at Ellsworth Air Force Base
• Milstar Satellite Communications Station at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska
• Monument Health in Spearfish
• Lincoln County Justice Center in Canton
• Many large water and wastewater treatment facilities in the region

Muth Electric “marks the beginning of an exciting year as we put into action the comprehensive strategic plans we have developed,” Muth said.

“This year, we are focused on advancing key initiatives that prioritize employee safety, embrace cutting-edge technology and drive growth in both new and existing markets. None of this would be possible without our skilled and dedicated team, whose unwavering commitment continues to be the foundation of our success. We are deeply grateful for all they do and look forward to achieving great things together.”