April 23, 2025

This piece is sponsored by Xcel Energy.

The energy industry is evolving. Today, Xcel Energy serves customers in eight states throughout the U.S. and employs more than 11,000 people. The company’s broad reach has advantages for customers. It means Xcel Energy has both the expertise and the access to new technologies to deliver safe, reliable and affordable electricity that will meet customers’ growing energy needs. At the same time, the company’s almost 100 South Dakota team members are part of the community, dedicated to meeting the needs of local customers.

Xcel Energy serves more than 104,000 electric customers in Sioux Falls and its surrounding communities, which can include southwest Minnesota. As South Dakota’s economy continues to grow, Xcel Energy is focused on enhancing the electric grid of today so it can handle the energy needs of tomorrow.

“Having a group of experienced leaders is essential to providing what our customers expect: good customer service and a reliable system, all while maintaining the highest of levels of safety for both the public and our employees,” said Steve Kolbeck, Xcel Energy director of business affairs and state relations.

Steve Kolbeck, Tim Moke, Mark Miles, Jon Hoffman, Joe Anderson, Adam Amundson, Brad Sylliaasen and Eric Pauli

Xcel Energy’s local leadership team has more than 160 combined years of experience in the industry. On top of that, most of the team members grew up right here in South Dakota.

• Steve Kolbeck, director of business affairs and state relations. Kolbeck, who has been with Xcel Energy for eight years, leads the South Dakota region. A former public utilities commissioner and current state senator, Kolbeck has a breadth of knowledge in the energy industry. Kolbeck grew up in Salem.
• Eric Pauli, community relations manager. Pauli has been with Xcel Energy for 20 years and is responsible for building and maintaining effective relationships within the South Dakota communities that the company serves. Pauli grew up in Milbank.
• Adam Amundson, operations manager. Amundson oversees the line crews that work out of the Sioux Falls service center. He has been with the company for 14 years. Amundson grew up in Dell Rapids.
• Jon Hoffman, operations manager. Hoffman oversees the line crews that work outside of the Sioux Falls area and within Xcel Energy’s South Dakota service territory. He has been with the company for three years. Hoffman grew up in Bottineau, North Dakota.
• Tim Moke, distribution design manager. Moke manages South Dakota’s distribution design team that works with South Dakota customers on their construction projects. He has been with the company for 20 years. Moke grew up in Ethan.
• Joe Anderson, key account manager. Anderson has been with the company for 26 years. He manages large business accounts within the South Dakota region. Anderson grew up in Brandon.
• Brad Sylliaasen, senior engineer. Sylliaasen has been with Xcel Energy for 34 years. He is responsible for overseeing the electric distribution system in the region and making sure it is operating effectively and efficiently. Sylliaasen grew up in Garretson.
• Mark Miles, senior operations work coordinator. Miles has been with the company for 39 years and is responsible for coordinating construction projects for local crews. Miles grew up in Montrose.

“Whether it is on a hot summer day when everyone’s air conditioners are running or during a cold winter blizzard, our customers are at the center of all we do here at Xcel Energy,” Kolbeck said. “It takes a lot of good people to provide safe, reliable electricity, and I think we have the best in the business right here in South Dakota.”