Submitted Photo Bob Grant stands with Kristi Schweiss, assistant director of the Quentin Burdick Center for Cooperatives, upon receiving the center’s highest award, the Gaylord Olson Cooperator Award, on Feb. 11. Photo from NDSU.

The Quentin Burdick Center for Cooperatives honored Robert “Bob” Grant of Berthold, board president of Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative and past president of the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives, with the Gaylord Olson Cooperator Award on Feb. 11.

The award, which honors North Dakota’s unsung cooperative heroes, was presented during an awards ceremony held in conjunction with NDAREC’s 82nd annual meeting.

According to information provided by the center, Grant has served North Dakota’s electric cooperatives with courage, integrity and a commitment to cooperative values for more than 40 years.

“Cooperatives are often viewed as high-maintenance businesses because it takes a lot of time and effort to keep them running smoothly and serve their members’ diverse needs,” said QBCC Director Frayne Olson in a news release. “There are people within every cooperative who put extra effort into making the co-op strong and successful. These people are rarely recognized for this extra work. I am very happy and humbled that the Gaylord Olson Cooperator Award was created so these people can be acknowledged for their commitment.”

First elected to the Mountrail Electric Cooperative board of directors in 1981, Grant helped guide the electric distribution cooperative through a merger with neighboring Williams Electric Cooperative, forming Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative in 1991.

Over the next 30 years, Grant helped evolve MWEC. His leadership in the boardroom ensured his rural electric cooperative could successfully build out its system to meet the burgeoning power needs of the oil and gas industry in the Bakken region.

As president of NDAREC, Grant made many consequential decisions. Understanding the importance of a well-trained workforce, he led the association through a major headquarters renovation and construction of an all-seasons Lineworker Training Center. These state-of-the-art facilities provide opportunities to train current and future cooperative employees.

Under Grant’s leadership, NDAREC also formed the North Dakota Rural Electric Cooperatives Foundation. This public charity provides resources to empower rural communities to address challenges and improve quality of life.

“Always led by integrity, Bob’s dedication to the cooperative model has set a benchmark for leadership that will inspire future generations,” says QBCC Assistant Director Kristi Schweiss in the release.

Awarded since 2022, the Gaylord Olson Cooperator Award is the highest honor bestowed on those who have made significant contributions to North Dakota’s cooperatives. Past honorees include David Cobia and Frayne Olson.

The QBCC at North Dakota State University helps cooperative businesses and is the region’s source for education, outreach and research on cooperative businesses. The QBCC provides educational opportunities through university courses and executive education programs. Research activities focus on issues unique to cooperative businesses operating in the Northern Plains.