The Board of Directors for BDM Rural Water System, Inc. has announced the appointment of Thomas Jones of rural Britton as the organization’s next General Manager, effective January 1, 2026. Jones will succeed current General Manager Rodney Kappes, who is set to retire at the end of this year.
Jones brings a strong background in rural infrastructure and cooperative leadership to the role. He has spent the past nine years with the USDA Rural Utilities Service, where he worked with electric cooperatives across South Dakota and the Northern Great Plains. His earlier experience includes service on the board of Lake Region Electric Cooperative and employment with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in both North and South Dakota.
A lifelong member of BDM and an advocate for the cooperative business model, Jones expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to lead the organization. “I’m excited to bring my background and experiences to BDM during such an important time,” he said, referring to the ongoing completion of the system’s new water treatment plant and the expansion of system-wide resources.
Jones will officially begin his employment with BDM on October 1, 2025. He will work alongside Kappes through the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition of leadership.
Jones and his wife Marcy, a teacher at Britton-Hecla School, have three children, all residing in the Britton area. In his spare time, he enjoys carpentry, dog training, and outdoor activities.
