Paul Madson

Paul Madson, a 1966 graduate of North Dakota State University with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering, began his career at ALCOA, where he worked as an industrial engineer. By 1968, he had advanced to division head of the drawn tube division. In 1970, he returned to Fargo and joined Border States Electric in inside sales. From 1972 to 1977, he served as a salesman before becoming a partner and manager in 1977. Paul went on to lead the company as president and CEO from 1984 until his retirement in 2002 at the age of 58. Under his leadership, Border States Electric grew into one of the nation’s leading electrical distributors. Today, the company is 100% employee-owned through an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan), operates 59 branch locations, and ranks as the 10th largest electrical distributor in the United States. Its headquarters remain in Fargo.