BRAD ESTES

STORY BY MICHELLE PAWELSKI PHOTOS SUBMITTED

Brad Estes was a young boy growing up in Wall, South Dakota, when he first learned the benefit of hard work and helping your neighbor.

His dad, Hugh, after serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, returned to Wall and began assisting area farmers and ranchers by buying a Jeep trencher and putting in water lines for them.

His mother, Amie, ran the cabin-style motel the family owned, making sure each guest had a memorable experience.

“I always tell people I learned hospitality 101 from my mother.”

The family’s entrepreneurial spirit grew quickly. His father purchased a local lumber yard and began building grain bins. “We built about every grain bin between Rapid and Pierre. We were one of the largest grain bin erection companies in the Midwest.” Building grain bins soon turned

into building homes. “My first jobs were around 12 or 13. I learned to mix paint and sell nails by the pound.”

After earning his business degree from the University of South Dakota in 1979, Estes returned to Wall to work for the family business. “We did work all over, including Colorado and Kansas. We traveled to several states to do grain storage projects.”

The company’s focus slowly moved from agriculture construction to commercial, and Estes began bidding jobs against some of the area’s biggest contractors.

In 1987, encouraged by his mentor and then mayor of Wall, Dave Hahn, Estes decided to run for a seat on the Wall City Council. He won the election and continued to serve until 1991. It was also around this time Estes decided to change his life. He went to treatment and has been sober for 36 years.

Estes’ connection with Hahn dated back many years earlier when Estes was an eighth grader and Hahn was the Wall superintendent of schools. “I was student of the week, and I wrote something that said I wanted to learn to fly.” Hahn, who was a man of many talents, had an airplane and asked Estes’ parents if he could teach the middle schooler to fly free of charge.

“He taught me to fly and then he ran for mayor, and I ended up on the city council. We became the best of friends.” Hahn died suddenly in 2018 and donated his body to the Sanford USD Medical School. Estes asked Carol, Hahn’s wife, if he could fly her husband down to Vermillion, having one last flight with his lifelong friend and mentor.

In 1989, when gambling became legalized in Deadwood, Estes and some family and friends decided to get in at the forefront of the industry. “We built the Gold Dust. We were one of the marquee casinos back in the day on Deadwood’s main street. For the 19 years we were in business we were probably the largest casino operator in Deadwood.”

His involvement in Deadwood continued and years later Estes and his partners built the Holiday Inn Express next to Saloon #10. “It was successful and allowed me to move my family from Wall to Rapid City. I also allowed me options to build projects for myself rather than being a competitive commercial contractor. Rather than being in the construction business to feed my family, I was able to do it to feed my passion.”

In 1991, Estes moved his family and his business, Brad Estes and Associates, Inc., to Rapid City. “At that time, my construction company was me. I didn’t have any employees. I would line up the subcontractors and manage the jobs myself.” During that time, he built the Days Inn on Lacrosse Street, First American Title, and Ashley Furniture. He loved what he was doing.

Brad and his wife Deb have been partners in business and life for nearly 20 years and their blended family includes four children, Brittani, Ian, Clint, and Mike .

Estes continued to grow his company, and at the same time felt the need to return to public service. He had previously served on the Central States Fair Board but had his eyes set on the Rapid City Common Council. “I was encouraged by Hahn and my uncle, Lyndell Petersen. He always encouraged me to give back and become involved.” Estes served as Ward 5 councilman from 2013 – 2017 with two years as council president.

He loves Rapid City and its people. “This is a city that enjoys agriculture and tourism, and the best people come from those two industries. It is second nature to ask ‘What can I do for you today?’”