Chamber News May 2021
Vol. 56, No. 7
A PUBLICATION OF THE GREATER SIOUX FALLS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
MILITARY’S ROLE CONTINUES TO GROW IN SIOUX FALLS
GET BACK TO YOUR PASSION When it comes to the activities that fill your life, we have the expertise to keep you moving. The sports medicine team at Sanford Health helps athletes and active people of all ages return to peak performance after injury. Call (605) 328-2663 to schedule an appointment without a referral.
sanfordhealth.org
231-254-869 3/21
In this issue Feature
Military’s role continues to grow in Sioux Falls . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22-27
Chamber News Publisher
Top stories School board candidate profiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28-29 DE&I Activator Series launches. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 In this issue Message from the Chair. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Event Calendars. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9 Economic Indicators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Noteworthy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Faces & Places. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-20 Community Appeals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Headlines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28-36
Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce Chamber News Ad Sales
For advertising information, call Steven Herman at (605) 373-2013 or email chambernews@siouxfalls.com
Chamber News Layout/Design Jill Blom Branch Creative Co.
Chamber News Editor Jennie Doyen
For editorial information, call: (605) 336-1620 Chamber News is published by the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce, 200 N. Phillips Ave., Suite 200, Sioux Falls, SD 57104 Postmaster please send address changes to: Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce 200 N. Phillips Ave., Suite 200, Sioux Falls, SD 57104 Phone: (605) 336-1620 • Email: gsfcc@siouxfalls.com
Using Your Membership. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Chamber Mission
Ribbon Cuttings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
As the leading Sioux Falls area business advocate, the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce represents its members by advancing and promoting the economic health and quality of life of the region.
Member Anniversaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42-43 New Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Five Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 ON THE COVER
Airman First Class Branzon Underwood, 114th aircraft maintenance crew chief, prepares to launch an F-16 at Joe Foss Field, S.D., Aug. 21, 2019. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Duane Duimstra)
FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA OR VISIT siouxfallschamber.com /siouxfallschamber Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce @GreaterSFCC @SF_Advocate siouxfallschamber
Thank you to the following members for supporting the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce by being premium sponsors of the Chamber News magazine.
Read online or find archived issues: issuu.com/siouxfallschamber
chambernews.com | Chamber News 3
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Message from the Chair
Message from the Chair I suppose it is fitting that just as the seasons began to change, we began to see a tide change in our fight with the COVID-19 pandemic as vaccines became available to the general population. As we all know, spring is a time of new beginnings, new life and rebirth. Likewise, we are all working to bring our community back to its full strength.
Dan Doyle
2020-21 Chair of the Board
...we are all working to bring our community back to its full strength.
One area that could particularly benefit from our support is the Sioux Falls Airport. I am proud that because of the lobbying efforts of the Chamber team, we were able to secure the airport funding bill during the 2021 legislative session. Those dollars will not only help the Sioux Falls and Rapid City airports, but also other small essential service airports throughout the state. This funding, plus the support of Forward Sioux Falls, provides our airport the ability to assist airlines as they maintain and restore existing flight routes, plus add new flight routes to other parts of the country. As the business community continues to activate, the Chamber will soon be bringing back in-person programming that was paused over the winter. We are once again holding ribbon cutting ceremonies in person – and we have a full calendar of new members and existing members that are celebrating important milestones. In addition, we will renew in-person networking events in the form of Mixers and Morning Mingles. Please note, we plan to continue taking appropriate precautions to encourage health and safety, but we are looking forward to fostering connections in person once again. The virtual networking opportunities that we’ve offered throughout the pandemic have been very popular, so we intend to continue holding Unmuted events periodically, as some people prefer it. The Chamber’s signature professional development program, Leadership Sioux Falls, will graduate 37 members from its 35th class this month. These individuals, representing a range of industries and perspectives, have spent the past 8 months learning about our community – both its opportunities and its challenges. I was a member of LSF class 25 and I can tell you that the experience exposed me to aspects of our community that I probably would not have seen otherwise. It helped me grow as a Sioux Falls resident and I am confident that the strong and vibrant community we enjoy is attributable, in part, to the training investment made through Leadership Sioux Falls. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that last month we hosted a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Summit. It was a great event, but it was only the first step in what we see as a long-term commitment to building a welcoming community. This month, we’ll launch a DE&I Activator Series – an 11-month series of virtual workshops offered in partnership with Pathways to Inclusive & Equitable Workplaces. Through it, we are working to give you the practical tools you need to put DE&I programming to work in your company. Our community is always changing, and we, as citizens and business leaders, need to adapt along with it. All of these things only scratch the surface of what is going on in our community right now. I hope you feel, as I do, the sense of optimism and energy for the future of greater Sioux Falls.
2020-21 GREATER SIOUX FALLS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LEADERSHIP AND STAFF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chair Dan Doyle, Lloyd Companies Chair-Elect Alex Ramirez, USA Media TV Vice Chair Paul Hanson, Sanford Health Treasurer Scott Lawrence, Lawrence & Schiller, Inc. Immediate Past Chair Bobbi Thury, Legacy Law Firm, P.C. Chamber President & CEO Jeff Griffin BOARD OF DIRECTORS Miles Beacom, PREMIER Bankcard Kim Burma, Midco Martin DesLauriers, UBS Financial Services, Inc. Tamien Dysart, Think 3D Solutions Natalie Eisenberg, Click Rain, Inc. Kayla Eitreim, Junior Achievement of South Dakota David Flicek, Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center Pam Homan, Augustana University Chris Houwman, Malloy Angela Lammers, Cetera Services Valerie Loudenback, Grand Prairie Foods Tolcha Mesele, Smithfield Foods Nathan Stallinga, DakotAbilities Tony Venhuizen
EX-OFFICIO Kyle Groos, Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools Dean Karsky, Minnehaha County Commission Derrick Karsky, Farmers Insurance Group - Karsky Agency Cynthia Mickelson, Sioux Falls School Board Jay Rasmussen, Journey Group Companies Jim Schmidt, Lincoln County Commission Dr. Jane Stavem, Sioux Falls Public School System Mayor Paul TenHaken, City of Sioux Falls CHAMBER & ESF STAFF Jeff Griffin, President & CEO Diane Balk, Accounting Manager Matt Barthel, ESF Communications Manager Joan Bartling, Finance & Accounting Director Justin Bentaas, Public Affairs & Research Manager Jill Blom, Graphics & Communications Manager Casey Boerger, Events Coordinator Patrick Daschel, ESF Sales Manager Anna Derry, ESF Sales Manager Erin DeWitt, ESF Sales Manager Jennie Doyen, Marketing & Communications Director
Jami Gates, Membership Director Becky Griebel, First Impressions/Administrative Assistant Melea Harris, ESF Host City Manager Elizabeth Heidinger, Membership Services Specialist Steven Herman, Membership Development Manager Mary Hublou, ESF First Impressions Manager/Project Assistant Kayla Huizing, Young Professionals Network Manager Jay Kaltenbach, ESF Services/Resale Manager Pat Lund, Membership Engagement Manager Mike Lynch, Forward Sioux Falls Director of Investor Relations Jill Niedringhaus, ESF Sales Manager Krista Orsack, ESF Director of Marketing Debra Owen, Public Policy Director Kathie Puthoff, ESF Administrative Assistant Holly Rader, Agribusiness & Professional Development Director Emily Schaffer, ESF Creative Development Manager Teri Schmidt, ESF Executive Director Teresa Schreier, Public Affairs & Communications Assistant Susan Seachris, Administrative/Accounting Assistant Jackie Wentworth, ESF Sales Manager
chambernews.com | Chamber News 5
Calendars
CHAMBER
Events Calendar
Dates, times and locations are subject to change. For a current listing of all Chamber events, visit siouxfallschamber.com, read the weekly edition of Quickly, or call (605) 336-1620. You can register and pay for events online at siouxfallschamber.com.
FEATURED EVENTS
Business Sense Workshop: The latest in cybersecurity Tuesday, May 11 11 a.m.–Noon Zoom
DETAILS: Is all cybersecurity created equal? New and improved technology solutions are coming at us faster than ever before and businesses are adopting these new technology solutions at a rapid rate. Brad Mendel and Jimmy Burma, High Plains Technology, will explain why not all cybersecurity is equal and why every business must have four cybersecurity essentials covered. COST: $10 RSVP: cboerger@siouxfalls.com or (605) 373-2010
School Board Candidate Forum Wednesday, May 12 Armed Forces Day Ceremonies Saturday, May 15
10:30 a.m. South Dakota Military Heritage Alliance 1600 W. Russell St.
DETAILS: This annual event recognizes members of the armed forces for their service. Hosted by the Chamber’s Military & Veterans Affairs Committee. COST: Free and open to the public MORE INFORMATION: jbentaas@siouxfalls.com
7–8:30 p.m. Instructional Planning Center, 201 E. 38th St.
DETAILS: The five candidates for two open seats on the Sioux Falls School Board will answer questions on their goals if they are elected. This event is free and open to the public.
Morning Mingle Thursday, May 13
7:30–9 a.m. OsteoStrong, 5031 S. Louise Ave. DETAILS: In person networking returns with Morning Mingle in May! Join us at OsteoStrong for coffee and conversation to start your day.
COST: Free
HEY Sioux Falls Thursday, May 20
5:30–7 p.m. Orpheum Theatre, 315 N. Phillips Ave.
Wednesday, May 19
7–8:30 a.m. Hilton Garden Inn Downtown 201 E. 8th St. DETAILS: Join us for a conversation on the evolution of public safety in Sioux Falls. Sioux Falls Police Chief Matt Burns, Sioux Falls Fire Chief Matt McAreavey, and Metro Communications Deputy Director Aimee Chase, will explain how the new Public Safety Center will improve the ability of their respective organizations to carry out their missions. Breakfast will be served. COST: $30 RSVP: cboerger@siouxfalls.com or (605) 373-2010
DETAILS: Celebrate our entrepreneurial ecosystem at the 2021 Hey Sioux Falls hybrid event. Six local entrepreneurs and businesses will be recognized for building great businesses or pushing the entrepreneur community forward. COST: $10 to attend in person; free to watch online RSVP: heysiouxfalls.com
Membership Mixer Tuesday, June 8
4:30-6:30 p.m. First PREMIER Bank, 500 S. Minnesota Ave.
DETAILS: Join other Chamber members for networking, food and refreshments at the June Membership Mixer. Sponsored by First PREMIER Bank. COST: $5 or use your Mixer Pass
6 Chamber News | MAY 2021
GREATER SIOUX FALLS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
UPCOMING EVENTS
To RSVP to any of these events, visit siouxfallsypn.com, email khuizing@siouxfalls.com or call (605) 373-2002. Visit siouxfallsypn.com for a full list of events.
Morning Buzz Thursday, May 6
7:30–9 a.m. Josiah’s Coffeehouse & Café, 104 W. 12th St. DETAILS: Join other YPN members at Josiah’s for networking while getting your morning (coffee) buzz. We want to know what’s affecting you personally and professionally. Coffee will be provided by Josiah’s! COST: Free
Reservations for Six Wednesday, May 12 Noon–1 p.m. Lalibela Restaurant, 200 S. Kiwanis Ave.
DETAILS: Are you looking to get to know other young professionals in the community in a small, intimate setting while supporting Chamber member restaurants? If so, join us for a networking lunch. No agenda, just a dinner out with your peers. Limited to the first six to register! COST: Free, food & drink on your own.
Focus Workshop: Marketing through the Lens of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Representation Matters Wednesday, May 19 Noon–1 p.m. Zoom
DETAILS: A company’s visual brand identity speaks volumes to consumers, business partners, potential employees and to the community in which the organization resides. Increasing customer base and market share has everything to do with how a company shows up in the marketplace. From websites and social media to printed assets and event planning, and everything in between, there is an opportunity for businesses to create not only a company brand experience, but an employer brand experience that values diversity, equity & inclusion. Join this Focus Workshop to learn some simple strategies to create a DE&I discipline and practice to inform your marketing communication strategy. Presented by Kira Kimball, Pathways to Inclusive & Equitable Workplaces. COST: Free
Find us on social media or visit siouxfallsypn.com
Off the Clock Thursday, May 13
4–7 p.m. McNally’s Irish Pub, 6211 S. Old Village Place DETAILS: Join us at McNally’s for our May Off the Clock. In true YPN fashion, you will have a chance to make new friends and business connections by networking in a relaxed setting. No registration required— just show up and encourage other young professionals or colleagues to join you. COST: Free, food & drinks on your own.
Action Team Meetings You can help shape key areas of YPN programming by joining an Action Team. All team meetings are held at the Chamber office and are open to any YPN member who would like to get involved. Volunteering with an Action Team is a great way to strengthen professional connections and exercise your skills in collaboration, facilitation and project management. For more details on the responsibilities of each team, visit siouxfallsypn.com.
Social Action Team
Monday, May 3, 4–5 p.m.
Civic Engagement Action Team
Wednesday, May 19, 4–5 p.m.
chambernews.com | Chamber News 7
Collaboration
you can bank on. MAY
This calendar is a sampling of local events, concerts, fundraisers, seminars and more compiled from siouxfallsevents.com and experiencesiouxfalls.com/events. Visit these websites for a complete listing of events happening in the Sioux Falls area, or for more details on the events listed here.
1
Howard Wood Dakota Relays
1
South Dakota Symphony Orchestra: Centennial Season Launch with Emanuel Ax
1-2
SECT Presents: Disney’s Beauty and The Beast
7
May Art & Wine Walk in downtown Sioux Falls
7
605 Made Spring Market
8
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta at Falls Park West
8
The Texas Tenors at the Washington Pavilion
12-15
2021 NSIC Baseball Championship Tournament
13-15
The Good Night Theatre Collective Presents: Cabaret
15
AMA Coin Show
Falls Storm vs. Iowa Barnstormers Raise Your Sioux Expectations 15
All events are subject to change. 15-16 Spring Parade of Homes Please check the online events 16 Casey Donahew at The District calendars for the most recent updates. 18 Jennifer JohnsonTech N9ne at The District 18-20 Vice President 20 Branch Manager 21-23 NMLS 47075822
(605) 444-4058 22-23 25-27
Collaboration you can
bank on.
Raise Your Expectations
Casey Tomac Vice President NMLS 591693 ID 405612
8 Chamber News | MAY 2021
(605) 335-1400
Sioux Falls Canaries vs. Winnipeg Goldeyes Toby Keith at Denny Sanford PREMIER Center Sioux Falls Canaries vs. Kane County Cougars Sioux Falls Storm vs. Arizona Rattlers Spring Parade of Homes ID 405612 Sioux Falls Canaries vs. Houston Apollos
27
Summer Porch Series kickoff at Strawbale Winery
15
Jamey Johnson with Whiskey Myers
27
Night Ranger at The District
15-17
Sioux Falls Canaries vs. Milwaukee Milkmen
30
Sangria Sunday kickoff at Strawbale Winery
17-20
SECT Presents: Footloose
19
Downtown Loft Tour
19
605 Summer Classic
19
Little Big Town at Denny Sanford PREMIER Center
22-23
Sioux Falls Sunfish vs. Pierre Trappers
22-24
Sioux Falls Canaries vs. Houston Apollos
24-27
SECT Presents: Footloose
25
Foreigner at Washington Pavilion
25-27
Sioux Falls Canaries vs. Gary Southshore Railcats
25-27
Sioux Falls Sunfish vs. Hastings Sodbusters
26
Sioux Falls Pride
26
Sioux Falls Storm vs. Bismarck Bucks
29-30
Sioux Falls Sunfish vs. Spearfish Sasquatch
JUNE 1-3
Sioux Falls Sunfish vs. Wheat City Whiskey Jacks
4
Sioux Falls Sunfish vs. Pierre Trappers
4
Eastbank Block Party at 8th & Railroad
4-6
Sioux Falls Canaries vs. Houston Apollos
5
Spring Open House at Wilde Prairie Winery
5
Moonlight Movies begin at Fawick Park
5-6
SD Artisan Fair by Midwest Handmade
5-6
20th Annual Siouxland Renaissance Festival
6
Steel Panther at The District
8-10
Sioux Falls Canaries vs. Cleburne Railroaders
9-10
Sioux Falls Sunfish vs. Pierre Trappers
10
Yoga & Wine at Wilde Prairie Winery
JULY
10-11
The Good Night Theatre Collective Presents: An Iconic Cabaret
2
Eastbank Block Party
11-13
Sioux Falls Sunfish vs. Souris Valley Sabre Dogs
9
Dude Perfect at Denny Sanford PREMIER Center
12
Sioux Falls Storm vs. Spokane Shock
10
Dreamfest Midwest at W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds
13
Sunday in the Vineyard at Wilde Prairie Winery
11
Wagon Wheel: Feat. Darius Rucker at The District
The Coverage You Want. The Commitment You Need. Business | Home | Health | Life We all need insurance to protect our homes and businesses. You also need the support of professionals who stand by your side— sweating the small stuff so you don’t have to. Fischer, Rounds & Associates combines the coverage you want with the commitment you need. That’s at Your Service. At Your Side.
Call Us in Sioux Falls Phone: 605-336-4444 Toll Free: 877-789-3773
2300 W. 49th St. Sioux Falls, SD 57105 FischerRounds.com
Offices also in Mitchell, Pierre, Watertown and Rapid City
Offices also in Mitchell, Pierre, Watertown and Rapid City chambernews.com | Chamber News 9
Economic Indicators
Tracking trends in business is just one way that the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce is looking out for our members. Sioux Falls is a great place to do business, in part because of its diverse economy. Check here for economic indicators that help show growth and development.
City of Sioux Falls Building Permit Data
Regional Unemployment Rates
March 2021
February 2021
CUMULATIVE YEAR TO DATE
957 permits
2019
1,067 permits
2020
BISMARCK
5.0%
1,284 permits
2021 0
300
600
900
1200
FARGO
4.3%
1500
MINNEAPOLIS/ ST. PAUL
Source: City of Sioux Falls
4.4%
RAPID CITY
3.5%
City of Sioux Falls Total Construction Value March 2021
SIOUX FALLS
ROCHESTER
4.2%
3.2%
CEDAR RAPIDS
CUMULATIVE YEAR TO DATE
5.2%
250
OMAHA
3.9%
DES MOINES
4.6%
LINCOLN
3.6%
200
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Note: figures represent Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA), not just city; rates are not seasonally-adjusted
150
Agriculture Trends February 2021 15
100
0
$133.6 million $54.3 million
(IN MILLIONS)
50
$12.70
$213.0 million $66.6 million
12 $10.90
$12.30
$103.6 million $28.1 million
$10.70
2020
2019
Source: City of Sioux Falls
Total Construction Value
2021
9
(per bushel) U.S. South Dakota
$8.60
New Non-Residential Construction Value
Corn
$8.26
(per bushel) U.S. South Dakota
Sioux Falls Region Housing Overview March 2021
Soybeans
6 $4.75
New Listings: 556 Days on the Market Until Sale: 84 Median Sales Price: $240,000 Inventory of Homes for Sale: 870 Source: RASE (Realtor Association of the Sioux Empire)
$4.24 $3.78
$4.63 $4.01
3
$3.52
February January 2020 2021
February
2021
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture
chambernews.com | Chamber News 11
Noteworthy
Headlines, accolades and rankings — Sioux Falls is often in the news for our community’s excellent business climate and high quality of life. Look for that information to be shared again here along with other topical quick hits.
chambernews.com | Chamber News 13
Faces & Places
Faces & Places Our members do more than follow the news. They make the news. Job promotions and hirings. New projects. New partnerships. Awards. Every day we hear about exciting accomplishments, historic milestones and other positive aspects of our member businesses that deserve to be shared. Submit news to jdoyen@siouxfalls.com.
Justin Zandstra The First National Bank in Sioux Falls
Marshall Selberg Keller Williams Realty of Sioux Falls
Corey Weide
Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
Stefan Szwarc Goosmann Law Firm
Jennifer Hoesing EmBe
Brad Nelson eXp Realty
Lynda Billars
The Lynda B. Advantage Corp - Lynda Billars KW
Recognition of Chamber Volunteers & Staff The Ambassador Committee promotes the Chamber and assists in bringing new members into the organization. The Diplomat Committee works to maintain membership strength in the Chamber and provide outstanding customer service to members. Their volunteer service helps to keep the Chamber strong. Featured ambassadors and diplomats this month are: Justin Zandstra, The First National Bank in Sioux Falls, two years as an ambassador; Corey Weide, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, 10 years as an ambassador; Jennifer Hoesing, EmBe, two years
as a diplomat; Brad Nelson, eXp Realty, five years as a diplomat; Marshall Selberg, Keller Williams Realty of Sioux Falls, 13 years as a diplomat; and Stefan Szwarc, Goosmann Law Firm, three years as a diplomat. The ACE Award is given monthly to one ambassador in recognition of their sales efforts. Lynda Billars, The Lynda B. Advantage Corp – Lynda Billars KW received the ACE Award Winner for March. Chamber Ambassadors and Chamber Builders held a spring membership drive in late March and early April. Volunteers formed
teams and engaged in a friendly competition to recruit the most new members to join the Chamber. The top team is pictured on the top of the next page. It included (L to R): Cindi Johnson, Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort; Dino DePerno, Keller Williams Realty of Sioux Falls; Lynda Billars, The Lynda B. Advantage Corp. – Lynda Billars KW; Debra Peterson, CorTrust Bank; Karlie Solum, Sanford Health; Bernie DeWald; and not pictured, Tom Hackl, Colliers International. Billars was the Top Ambassador and Johnson was the Top Chamber Builder.
Professional portraits of Chamber volunteers are courtesy Chad Phillips Photography, chadphillipsphotography.com.
14 Chamber News | MAY 2021
New Faces & Promotions Rebecca Kiesow-Knudsen was named Chief Operating Officer of LSS. The COO position is new within the organization’s system and was added in response to growth and complexity of the services offered by the agency. KiesowKnudsen served as vice president of community services for the past ten years and played a significant role in the growth and stability of LSS during that time. As COO, Kiesow-Knudsen will lead the development and implementation of strategic initiatives, annual service plans, and race equity and inclusion efforts within LSS. In addition, Kiesow-Knudsen will evaluate all potential service opportunities in relation to the mission, impact, delivery and financial viability. She also will oversee the performance and quality improvement process and accreditation with the Council on Accreditation. Kiesow-Knudsen holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota, and a master’s in public administration with an emphasis in nonprofit administration from the University of South Dakota. Koch Hazard Architects added two new employees to their team. Michelle Rippentrop, NCIDQ, joined in February as the director of interior design. Rippentrop
has over 12 years of experience in interior architecture design, specializing in the areas of healthcare, corporate and hospitality design. She started her career in Phoenix, Arizona and has worked in the regional market for the past nine years. Mason O’Farrell joined in October following four years in Colorado working with DLR Group in Denver and completing his Masters of Architecture and Design-Build Certificate from the University of Colorado Denver. O’Farrel previously interned with Koch Hazard Architects while he was a student at South Dakota State University. Andrea Carstensen has joined Minnwest Bank as business development officer. She was previously at Volunteers of America. Sioux Falls Federal Credit Union has promoted nine team members. BJ Wylie to VP branch services. Wylie has been with the credit union more than 34 years and has served as branch services manager for the past five years. Joey Rotert as VP marketing and business development. Rotert has served as marketing and business development manager for the past eight years. Teresa Jorgensen as AVP mortgage services. Jorgensen has been leading
the credit union’s mortgage team for 11 years. Kari Wanke as AVP accounting and payments. Wanke has been the accounting manager since 2009. Randy VanDeVendel as AVP systems and data administration. He has led the operations team for 12 years and has been with the credit union for 21 years. Bernie Tegethoff as AVP IT. He has been leading the IT department since 2004. Travis Christoffer as AVP business services. Christoffer has been business services manager for eight years. Mickey Koepp as AVP recovery services. Koepp was previously the collections manager and has worked with the credit union for 31 years. Tim Umfleet as AVP audit and compliance. He joined the credit union last June as the risk manager and has 10 years of risk management leadership. Sandy Burgard is the lead receptionist at the new First PREMIER Bank main office in downtown Sioux Falls. Burgard joined PREMIER in November of 2015 and has eight years of experience in financial services. In her new position, she will be responsible for greeting, aiding and guiding customers and guests as they enter the building.
chambernews.com | Chamber News 15
Faces & Places
Good Deeds Insight Marketing Design, Inc. celebrated 18 years in business by providing 18 donations to a variety of worthy causes. Each employee could choose a charity to receive a $100 donation in their name. Some of the recipients included Feeding South Dakota, El Riad Shrine, Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, Sioux Falls Arts Council, Dakota Lions Sight & Health, Sioux Falls Area Humane Society, McCrossan Boys
Ranch, Union Gospel Mission of Sioux Falls and Friends of the Big Sioux River, among others. During a five-week period through the month of March, customers shopping the Furniture Mart, Unclaimed Freight Furniture or Ashley HomeStore earned an additional 10% discount by donating $20 or 10 non-perishable food items for local food
banks. More than $90,000 was raised and three tons of food was gathered for food shelves in six states. A food bank representative said the record amounts raised in this year’s campaign will provide more than 450,000 meals for local food shelves experiencing increased demand. In South Dakota, the donations were directed to Feeding South Dakota.
Honors & Awards Lloyd Companies commercial real estate team members Raquel Blount and Jordan Rieffenberger have been honored The Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR) for completing one of the top transactions of 2020. Blount and Rieffenberger were recognized in SIOR’s annual Top Transaction Awards in the category of largest dollar volume member-tomember transaction, other alternative assets, for the sale of Diamond Field Commons in east Sioux Falls for $23.5 million. SIOR is the leading society for industrial and office real estate professionals, requiring individuals to adhere to the highest levels of accountability and ethical standards to earn their SIOR designation. Blount received her SIOR designation in June of 2016 and Rieffenberger received his SIOR designation in July of 2018. Insight Marketing Design, Inc. has received 13 awards from two national competitions. The national Service Industry Advertising Awards is the only advertising awards show that specifically recognizes advertising achievements in the service industry. Insight received three gold, four silver, one bronze and one merit award for work produced for clients around the region. The national Educational Advertising Awards
16 Chamber News | MAY 2021
allowed Insight to compete with the best institutions in the U.S. for work produced for educational institutions. Insight received two gold, one silver and one bronze award. The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Greater Sioux Falls #237 chapter honored Karen Krietlow, CIT of Muth Electric, Inc., as the 2021 Influential Women in Construction award winner. Krietlow has worked for Muth Electric for 27 years in multiple roles. She is a 13-year member of NAWIC, and has served on various committees including two terms as president of the board of directors. Epicosity was recognized by the South Dakota Advertising Federation’s American Advertising Awards (AAAs) with 21 of their annual honors, including a Judge’s Choice prize. The AAAs is the advertising industry’s largest and most representative competition, attracting nearly 35,000 entries every year in local AAF Ad Club competitions. Epicosity was honored with 19 MarCom Awards for creative work from the past year. The MarCom Awards are an annual event honoring excellence in international marketing
and communication, recognizing the creativity, hard work and generosity of industry professionals. The recognition include five platinum MarCom Awards and ten gold MarCom Awards. EmBe announced the eight recipients of their annual Tribute to Women awards. Business achievement: Nikkee Rhody, Central Payments; Community service: Kira Kimball, Marsh & McLennan Agency; EmBeliever Award: Taneeza Islam, South Dakota Voices for Peace; Government and law: Rep. Erin Healy, South Dakota House of Representatives, Sanford Health; Health care and STEM: Andrea Polkinghorn, Sanford Health; Humanities and education: Cindy Heidelberger Larson, Ground Works/ South Dakota Agriculture in the Classroom; Young Woman of Achievement: Amy Moore, Lemonly; and Sylvia Henkin Mentoring Award: Valerie Hearns, USD Sanford School of Medicine. The winners were selected from nearly 50 nominees.
Be Seen
1 Andy Patterson, Sioux Falls Area Community
Foundation, and retired community leader Jeff Scherschligt speak to Leadership Sioux Falls class 35 during their final session, which focused on service to the community. 2 The Chamber relies on hundreds of volunteers to help fulfill its mission. During Volunteer Appreciation Week, chamber volunteers were invited to meet for some fun and refreshments as a small token of thanks for their dedication.
1
INSPIRED BY 2 OUR PEOPLE Congratulations to our new Sioux Falls Partners, Luke Johnson, Mandy Sutton and Nick Crank!
605.339.1999 | eidebailly.com
chambernews.com | Chamber News 17
Faces & Places
Be Seen
3
4
5
7 18 Chamber News | MAY 2021
6
3-8 The Chamber hosted the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Summit on April 14 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. More than 300 people participated in the event, with approximately half of participants joining virtually. Dr. Abdul M. Omari presented a keynote that outlined the business case for diversity, equity and inclusion programming in the workplace. A panel of local CEOs shared their experiences and answered questions regarding programming within their businesses. The event also introduced the DE&I Activator Series, an 11-month webinar series that will support participants seeking to implement DE&I programming into their workplaces. Photos by Lisa Aust Photos for the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce.
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chambernews.com | Chamber News 19
Faces & Places
Be Seen
9
9-12 The Young Professionals
Network celebrated 12 years of developing and connecting young leaders in our community at the YPN Birthday Bash. The event was held on the patio at PAve. Photos by YPN member Shelby Hartung.
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11 20 Chamber News | MAY 2021
Community Appeals
GREATER SIOUX FALLS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Community Appeals Scheduled Fund Drives The purpose of the Community Appeals Committee is to qualify and provide orderly scheduling of capital fund drives to the business community. By vetting capital fund drives, the objective of Community Appeals is to affirm the project is a sound community investment and worthy of donor consideration. It is the intent of the Chamber to encourage every business to carefully consider such requests. However, we also acknowledge that many businesses have limited resources for capital fund drives, both in an ability to properly evaluate them and a sufficient budget to contribute. Our Community Appeals process is intended to provide our members with assurance that a Community Appeals campaign is worthy of investment.
Applications for the 2021 review cycle are now available and will be accepted until Aug. 1, 2021. Contact Mike Lynch at (605) 373-2008 or email mlynch@siouxfalls.com for more information and to apply.
FORWARD SIOUX FALLS FEB. 1, 2021–JUNE 30, 2021
To provide programs that result in an improved economy and quality of life for those in our region.
SIOUX FALLS SKATEPARK ASSOCIATION NOV. 1, 2021–MARCH 31, 2022
To create a high-quality, multi-purpose, concrete skatepark/plaza in the core of Sioux Falls at Nelson Park. Once built, the skatepark will become part of the Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation Department.
THE FURNITURE MISSION OF SOUTH DAKOTA APRIL 1, 2022-JULY 31, 2022
To build a new and larger Furniture Mission facility on the Empower Sioux Falls Campus (previously the School for the Deaf Campus).
chambernews.com | Chamber News 21
MILITARY’S ROLE CONTINUES TO GROW IN SIOUX FALLS By Dirk Lammers For the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce
22 Chamber News | MAY 2021
Cover Story
The South Dakota National Guard is moving forward with the design and construction of a new $20 million readiness center in Sioux Falls, the latest of a series of projects highlighting the military’s significant and growing importance to a city home to more than 1,500 Guard members. Although Sioux Falls’ economy is far too diversified to label it as a “military city” on par with San Diego, Colorado Springs or Norfolk, such investments combined with the recent opening of the South Dakota Military Heritage Alliance and ongoing work to complete the South Dakota Veterans Cemetery showcase the military’s key role in the community. Retired Brigadier Gen. Ron Mielke, co-chair of the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce’s Military Task Force, called the Guard a “significant asset” and said he wishes more residents were aware of its ongoing contributions. “I’ve always felt that the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard presence is kind of a sleeping giant,” said Mielke, a TSP Inc. principal and senior project manager who served as the Guard’s adjutant general from 1995-2002. “The Guard is a tremendous resource for the state of South Dakota and our communities.”
A $20 million investment Units of the South Dakota National Guard, which include the South Dakota Army National Guard and the South Dakota Air National Guard, hold a mission that includes both federal and state responsibilities. South Dakota units have served in nearly every major U.S. war
or conflict since the Civil War. They also respond to such domestic crises as tornadoes, flooding, wildland fires, COVID-19 pandemic functions and civil unrest. The $20 million Army National Guard readiness center planned for Sioux Falls will provide 45,000 square feet for soldiers to conduct indoor drills, classrooms, administrative offices for full-time employees, a kitchen, a weapons vault, a motor pool and storage. A readiness center is essentially a modern, state-of-the-art version of an armory, said Lt. Col. Anthony Deiss. “They’re a little bit bigger, but the function of these places has not changed,” said Deiss, public affairs officer for the South Dakota National Guard. “They’re there to support the training and the readiness requirements for Guard units.” The South Dakota National Guard currently has 23 readiness centers across the state, and 14 of those are at least 40 years old. Approval of the new Sioux Falls facility follows a trend over the past couple of decades to consolidate community armories into regional centers. Sioux Falls was scheduled to receive $15 million in federal funding for the center in fiscal year 2024, but the National Guard Bureau contacted the state Guard and asked if it could move up the project timetable to fiscal year 2022. The 2021 South Dakota Legislature approved $500,000 from the state general fund and $15 million in federal fund expenditure authority to green-light design and construction of the project. The state cost share will eventually reach $5 million, or 25 percent of the project’s total cost.
Photo courtesy of the South Dakota Army National Guard
chambernews.com | Chamber News 23
Cover Story
“We can’t do what we do at the Air National Guard without the support of our local employers.”
A veteran’s jacket (top left). The 114th Fighter Wing conducts training. Photo courtesy of the 14th Fighter Wing, South Dakota Air National Guard (top right). The Avenue of Flags presentation at the annual Armed Forces Day ceremony (bottom left).
The South Dakota Army National Guard currently has 440 soldiers in Sioux Falls serving in five units — the 196th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, the 1742nd Transportation Company, a detachment of the 235th Military Police Company, the 115th Signal Company and the second battalion of the first 196th Regional Training Institute. The new space will allow the Army National Guard to create a Field Artillery Battery within the 1-147th Field Artillery Battalion (part of the 196th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade), adding about 120 new soldiers, Deiss said. “The current armory just cannot provide the needed space required for that large influx in soldiers,” he said. “So, it’s much more advantageous and cost feasible to construct a new Readiness Center to support that.” Initial plans call for the readiness center to be built on about 30 acres of land on the north end of Joe Foss Field, but South Dakota Adjutant General Jeff Marlette told a legislative committee that the Guard is considering a land swap with the city of Sioux Falls that could move the site to Benson Road. Deiss said construction of the facility, which will meet LEED Silver standards for energy and environmental design, will help support the training needs of the Guard for decades to come. “Many of our facilities across the state are 50 years or older, so having newer facilities helps us to keep our forces trained and ready,” he said.
24 Chamber News | MAY 2021
The Air National Guard Sioux Falls’ Joe Foss Field is home to more than 1,100 Air National Guard members who serve in the 114th Fighter Wing, which contributed $71.3 million in economic impact dollars to the area during the 2020 fiscal year ending in September, said Capt. Jessica Bak, executive support officer for the 114th. The wing consists of four groups — the 114th Maintenance Group, the 114th Mission Support Group, the 114th Medical Group and the 114th Operations Group. The 114th Operations Group encompasses the 114th Operations Support Squadron and the 175th Fighter Squadron, which has flown F-16C Fighting Falcons since 1991. Just over 400 of the 114th’s 1,100 members are fulltime employees, with the others serving part-time with one weekend a month and two full weeks a year. Those Guard members’ day jobs run the gamut of occupations including farmers, small business owners, healthcare workers, carpenters and pilots. Some Guard members perform similar jobs in the military, such as a hospital nurse who serves the Guard as a critical care nurse. Others do something completely different, such as a full-time teacher who works on military aircraft engines once a month. All bring a valuable perspective through their skills and experiences, Bak said. “Our part-time force is what really makes the Air National Guard unique over other military components,” Bak said. “We have such a diverse workforce, and we are able to share training and experience between military and civilian occupations through these members.”
And when those Guard members come to Sioux Falls to train, they provide an added boost to the Sioux Falls economy. The Best Western Plus Ramkota Hotel in Sioux Falls regularly provides overnight accommodations for Guard members in town to train, said Ted Hilleson, the hotel’s general manager. The hotel’s exhibit hall also hosts welcomehome ceremonies for Guard members who return from engagement and yellow-ribbon events for members preparing to deploy. “We’re happy to have them, and they’re a great customer,” Hilleson said. “We appreciate their loyalty.” Assisting in the partnership between the Guard members and their local employers is the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a U.S. Defense Department program promoting cooperation and understanding between those serving in the Guard and Reserve and their civilian employers. ESGR can assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee’s military commitment, and it also recognizes employers who go above and beyond. In September, ESGR named Sanford Health as one of its 15 recipients of the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, recognizing the Sioux Falls-based health system for its exemplary support for its National Guard and Reserve employees. Sanford Health is the fifth South Dakota business to receive this award. Previous in-state honorees include Black Hills Corporation (2015), the Winner School District (2008), South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (2006) and South Dakota State University (2005).
The new $20 million South Dakota National Guard readiness center in Sioux Falls is 75% federally funded.
The F-16 Fighting Falcon, flown by the 114th Fighter Wing, South Dakota Air National Guard. Photo by Mike Shafer for the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce
chambernews.com | Chamber News 25
Cover Story
The South Dakota Military Heritage Alliance is a first-in-nation model that was funded business and private donors and memberships.
The South Dakota Military Heritage Alliance (top left). Attendees at a Veterans Day Ceremony (top right).
Bak said South Dakota and the Sioux Falls area benefit from a strong ESGR network and quality employers who are supportive of the military.
• A restaurant, lounge and coffee shop
“We can’t do what we do at the Air National Guard without the support of our local employers,” she said.
• A spiritual reflection spot
Quest for the F-35s As the Air National Guard continues to fly F-16s out of Joe Foss Field, the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce’s Military Task Force, co-chaired by Mielke and Retired Brigadier Gen. R. J. Clifft, will continue to lobby for Sioux Falls to be selected as the next base of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The newer F-35 fighters are set to completely replace F-16s sometime between 2027 and 2040. The 114th Fighter Wing at Joe Foss Field was among 18 bases nationwide in the running for such a fleet but wasn’t selected in the most recent round. Mielke said the committee will renew its push when future opportunities come open.
A one-stop military shop Sioux Falls further embraces its military community through the South Dakota Military Heritage Alliance, a onestop military-themed center for active and retired military and those who support them, said Executive Director Brian Phelps. Built inside the former Badlands Pawn site at 1600 Russell Street, the Alliance features 70,000 square feet of space offering: • A gun range and armory • Event, meeting and conference spaces
26 Chamber News | MAY 2021
• A gift shop • A small movie theater • Office space for community organizations and businesses (with all but six of the 31 available spots already leased) The property and the adjacent Armory Building at 1700 Russell Street were purchased through donations to the Alliance, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by individual veterans, veteran groups, active military service members and their families, civilians, elected officials, business leaders and other key individuals. “There’s been no federal funding to make this place work,” Phelps said. “It’s all been private- and business-sponsored and member-sponsored success. The passion and compassion of the community is sustaining what we’re doing out here.” The Armory Building property, which served as the military base’s actual armory during World War I and World War II, has two meeting rooms, entrance vestibules and additional spaces under renovation. The Armory provides a new home for VFW Post 628, American Legion Post 15, several other veterans organizations, Keystone Treatment, Mountain View LLC and the American Postal Workers Union 718. Although the Alliance is a nonprofit, several entities operate under the umbrella to generate income to support military groups. “Our gun range, our restaurant, our lounge and our coffee shop are all set up to make money so we can give that money out to the veteran organizations,” Phelps said.
Phelps said the Alliance already has more than 7,000 members, and despite dealing with slowed attendance due to the pandemic it hosted a peak of more than 5,500 customers during a single month. The Alliance is open to the general public, which links residents to the military community by granting them access to such seldom-seen events as military pinning, promotion and retirement ceremonies. Future Alliance plans call for constructing a military museum, but the nonprofit will wait until it has adequate funding to “do it right” before putting anything on display. “We want a fully-interactive sight-smell-touch-taste type of a museum so kids can interact and see those who served, see those who gave all, to actually sit in a World War II jeep and have that experience,” Phelps said.
South Dakota Veterans Cemetery Another ongoing project boosting Sioux Falls’ military friendliness is the South Dakota Veterans Cemetery, which is set to open its first of 10 sections this spring. Some 50,000 of the state’s 72,000 veterans live east of the Missouri River. The 60-acre site, which sits northeast of the I-90/I-229 interchange near Slip Up Creek Road and 477th Avenue, will help ease the travel burden for family and friends wanting to regularly honor their loved ones with visits to their final resting places. Although the entire project will eventually provide more than 28,000 gravesites, the first phase covers nearly 13 acres of the site and provides more than 2,300 total gravesites. The stars and stripes already wave from a 70-foot flagpole sitting atop the site’s highest point, and the property offers an administration building with offices and restrooms, a gravesite kiosk, a connected maintenance shop, a committal service shelter, an avenue of flags, a memorial walk and an assembly area, said Jon Brown, president and principal engineer of Stockwell Engineers. Brown, whose firm provided services for the project, said Stockwell Engineers is honored to be a part of such an important project. “The number of veterans who have talked to us about it since we started the design a couple of years ago through today is just overwhelming,” he said. “We’re super excited to be a part of it.” Sioux Falls is a thriving community, and the military is sure to play a key role in its success.
The 2019 Armed Forces Day program (top). The new Veterans Cemetery is located north of Sioux Falls (center). An airman works on an F-16C Fighting Falcon. Photo courtesy of the 114th Fighter Wing, South Dakota Air National Guard (bottom).
chambernews.com | Chamber News 27
Headlines
Elections to be held for two School Board seats An election to fill two seats on the Sioux Falls School Board will be held Tuesday, May 18. The seats currently held by Kate Parker and Todd Thoelke expire in June. Parker is seeking reelection and is joined in the race by Cory Begley, Paulette Ludens, Marc Murren and Anthony Pizer. Thoelke is stepping away after serving for nine years on the School Board, including terms served as president of the board. In order to vote, you must live within the boundaries of the Sioux Falls School District and have registered by May 3. Thirteen vote centers around the city will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on May 18. Absentee ballots will be available at the Instructional Planning Center (201 E. 38th Street) beginning May 3 through May 18 from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. The Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce will host a public Candidate Forum on Wednesday, May 12 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the Instructional Planning Center.
2021 School Board Candidate Forum Wednesday, May 12 • 7–8:30 p.m. Instructional Planning Center, 201 E. 38th St.
Polling Locations
Voting will be open from 7 a.m.–7 p.m. at the following locations: Peace Lutheran Church, 5509 W. 41st St. Memorial Middle School, 1401 S. Sertoma Ave. Career & Tech Ed Academy, 4700 W. Career Circle Maricar Community Center, 400 N. Valley View Road Oyate Community Center, 2421 W. 15th St. Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2200 S. Western Ave. First Lutheran Church, 327 S. Dakota Ave. Wesley United Methodist Church, 1700 E. 6th St. Kenny Anderson Community Center, 3701 E. 3rd St. Morningside Community Center, 2400 S. Bahnson Ave. Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 5500 E. 57th St. Faith Baptist Fellowship Church, 601 W. 57th St. Instructional Planning Center, 201 E. 38th St.
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28 Chamber News | MAY 2021
Candidate Profiles Cory Begley
Kate Parker
Occupation: Active duty military
Occupation: Director of government
Family: Wife, Rhonda, and children Zachary
(12), Bella (12), Braxton (10) and Brinley (5) Number of years residing in Sioux Falls: 18 Website: corybegley.com
Facebook: Cory-Begley-for-SFSD-School-Board Why do you want to serve on the Sioux Falls School Board?
I want to be an advocate for our teachers, students and community. Public service is important to me, I have spent 22 years serving our country and now that I am in the process of retiring from the military, I believe this is my next step in serving my community.
Paulette Ludens Occupation: Retired caregiver, now work
part-time
Family: Six children and 20 grandchildren,
with four currently in Sioux Falls schools Number of years residing in Sioux Falls: 21
Facebook: PauletteLudensForSchoolBoard Why do you want to serve on the Sioux Falls School Board?
With all the things going on in the world today, I decided to step into something in our community to help make a difference. I believe as a mother of six, grandmother of 20 and a foster parent for 20 years I have the knowledge and experience needed to help in the school system.
programs, Avera Health Plans
Family: Husband, Matt, and sons Jack (16)
and Bobby (13)
Number of years residing in Sioux Falls: 16 Facebook: KateParkerSFSchoolBoard Why do you want to serve on the Sioux Falls School Board?
After navigating all the uncertainty due to the pandemic this past year, we can begin to look to the future and we have a lot to look forward to. I know I have the experience to help guide our district in becoming the best school district in the country.
Anthony Pizer Occupation: Financial advisor Family: Wife, Jessica Aguilar, and children,
James Pizer (8) and Elyse Pizer (5) Number of years residing in Sioux Falls: 11
Facebook: anthonypizerforschoolboard Why do you want to serve on the Sioux Falls School Board?
I am running for Sioux Falls School Board because I believe in the power of education to transform peoples’ lives and our community. The three areas I believe our district needs to focus on for the future are workforce development, student equity and community engagement. I am asking for your vote on May 18.
Marc Murren Occupation: Retired educator and coach Family: Wife, LuAnn; adult children Amy
Heinert, Emily Murren and John Murren; and two grandchildren Number of years residing in Sioux Falls: 55 years
Facebook: Marc-Murren-For-School-Board Why do you want to serve on the Sioux Falls School Board?
I believe in the power of education to change lives. Who serves on the board is important to the whole community. Well-educated young people impact the community and have the capacity to reduce crime, create a more skilled work force and improve the quality of life in the community.
chambernews.com | Chamber News 29
Headlines
Members of the 35th class of Leadership Sioux Falls pose for a class photo during their final class session in April.
Leadership Sioux Falls graduates 35th class Members of the 35th class of the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce’s Evan C. Nolte Leadership Sioux Falls (LSF) program graduated on Wednesday, May 5. Dr. Pam Homan addressed the graduates and their guests, encouraging them to pursue excellence in community leadership. Homan is the chief strategy officer and executive vice president of Augustana University. She is a graduate of Leadership Sioux Falls class 10 and is a current member of the Chamber's board of directors. Homan is an active community volunteer, serving on many nonprofit boards, task forces and volunteer initiatives at the local and national levels. The Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce has facilitated Leadership Sioux Falls as a community development program for 35 years. It is designed to meet the need for active participation of informed and dedicated community leaders. Main objectives
30 Chamber News | MAY 2021
Dr. Pam Homan Augustana University
of the program are: to inform and motivate participants by providing information on community resources; to identify community issues and challenges; to interact with other community leaders; and to gain a sense of community trusteeship. LSF class sessions are held monthly from October through May at various times and locations in the community. Session topics change over the years to mirror the current issues, challenges and opportunities in the Sioux Falls area. Core topics include economic development, public safety, human services, healthcare, education, non-profit volunteerism and quality of life issues. The quality of the participants is the true strength of the Leadership Sioux Falls program. They represent the public and private sectors, and civic and community organizations in the Sioux Falls area. This year’s participants were selected from more than 70 applications. Applications for the 36th class, which will begin in October, will be available at siouxfallschamber.com in June 2021.
Leadership Sioux Falls Class 35 Dustin Bonn, Marco Technologies
Lisa Leuning, Avera Health
Trent Bruce, DGR Engineering Tawni Buhler, Sullivans
Terry Liggins, The Hurdle Life Coach & Hurdle Life Foundation
Erin Bultje, Sioux Falls VA Health Care System
Maddie Mack, Lemonly
Andrew Curley, Midco
Jamison Mutschelknaus, Journey Group Companies
Rana DeBoer, City of Sioux Falls
James Oppenheimer, Dakota Alliance Soccer Club
Tom DeHaven, CorTrust Bank
Matt Paulson, MarketBeat
James Gaspar, Interstate Office Products
Rika Peterson, Maximizing Excellence LLC
Eric Hansen, Eide Bailly LLP
Kobi Ringling, Children’s Inn
Peter Hauck, Zeal Center for Entrepreneurship
Ryan Schmidtman, Sanford Health
Jay Headley, RMB Associates
Teresa Schreier, Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce
Courtney Heitkamp, Office of Congressman Dusty Johnson
Nicole Sutherland, Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center
Nathan Hofer, South Dakota Public Broadcasting
Jackie Swanstrom, Girl Scouts Dakota Horizons
Sam Hoskins, Dorsey & Whitney Trust Company LLC
Logan Thune, Midland Trust Company
Brad Jankord, South Dakota Development Corporation
Michael Tveidt, Fischer Rounds & Associates
Kjersten Joachim, Dow Rummel Village
Tara Twedt, Architecture Incorporated
Jae Kelsey, First Bank & Trust
Sara Wevik, MediRevv
Dan Kippley, Sweetman Construction
Goi Yol, Conscious Youth Solutions
Matt Krall, PREMIER Bankcard
Kelli Zimmer, Windsor Mortgage Solutions
Join us!
May 24, 2021 1 p.m. Shotgun Start Minnehaha Country Club
Solving Addiction on the Green presented by Avera Health will help us provide addiction peer coaching at no cost to those in need. Volunteer or register a team now – limited team slots are still available. Learn more at wefaceittogether.org/give. chambernews.com | Chamber News 31
Headlines
Celebrate entrepreneurship at Hey Sioux Falls An award show and celebration of entrepreneurship in our community is returning this spring. The Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce, the Zeal Center for Entrepreneurship, Startup Sioux Falls and 1 Million Cups are once again partnering to plan and host Hey Sioux Falls. The hybrid event will be held Thursday, May 20 at the historic Orpheum Theatre in downtown Sioux Falls and will be livestreamed for those who prefer to attend virtually. Orpheum doors will open at 5 p.m. and the program begins at 5:30 p.m. Six local individuals and businesses will receive awards for building great businesses or pushing the Sioux Falls entrepreneurial community forward. Awards will be presented in the following categories: Best Pivot, New Startup, Startup Champion, Small Business, Corporate Innovator and Social Impact. A description of each award category and a list of the 2021 nominees can be found at heysiouxfalls.com. Anyone that has a vested interest in the Sioux Falls startup community, from established business leaders to early-stage entrepreneurs, is invited to attend Hey Sioux Falls. Tickets are $10 for in-person attendance; virtual participation is free. Visit heysiouxfalls.com to reserve tickets.
2021 Hey Sioux Falls Award Finalists New Startup of the Year
Corporate Innovator of the Year
Helen's Plan
Boyce Law Firm
Prismatic
Eide Bailly LLP
RezBats
Midco
Startup Champion of the Year
Best Pivot of the Year
Karla Santi
Good Night Theatre Collective
Jodi Schwan
Grand Prairie Foods
Eric Weisser
JJ's Wine, Spirits & Cigars
Small Business of the Year
Social Impact of the Year
Fit My Feet Orthotics & Shoes
ACE Academy
R Wine Bar
Hurdle Life Foundation
Terra Shepherd Boutique & Apothecary
South Dakota Voices for Peace
32 Chamber News | MAY 2021
DE&I Activator Series launches A yearlong educational program that will support businesses seeking to implement diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) programming in their workplaces kicks off this month. The DE&I Activator Series is an introduction to key concepts, strategies, mindsets and skill sets to support a participant’s knowledge of how to activate a diversity, equity and inclusion workplace culture shift.
DE & I
ACTIVATOR SERIES
Business and community leaders were introduced to the new program at the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Summit, which was held on April 15. At that event, keynote speaker Dr. Abdul M. Omari, the founder of AMO Enterprise, explained the business case for DE&I programming. Building on that foundation, the DE&I Activator Series seeks to deepen a participant’s understanding of the value of DE&I in the workplace. The series offers concrete application strategies to help a workplace envision its DE&I goals and identify steps for implementation. The DE&I Activator Series is funded through Forward Sioux Falls and is offered by the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Pathways to Inclusive & Equitable Workplaces. The series consists of 11 virtual sessions running from May 2021 through March 2022. Each webinar will take place on the second Wednesday of the month from 8:30-9:30 a.m. The topics are structured to build on knowledge from the previous session. Thus, participants are strongly encouraged to commit to the full program. However, single session registration is also an option.
TO INCLUSIVE & EQUITABLE WORKPLACES
DE&I Activator Series May 12
Understanding the business case for DE&I
June 9
Foundations of DE&I: History and language
July 14
What does organizational commitment to DE&I look like?
Aug. 11
Creating your DE&I team, purpose and scope of influence
Participants who complete the entire DE&I Activator Series will be recognized as a Pathways to Inclusive & Equitable Workplaces Activator. Continuing education credit opportunities are pending with SHRM and HRCI for each of the 11 sessions.
Sept. 8 How to conduct a DE&I organizational assessment Oct. 13
How to take assessment results to craft your DE&I strategy and scorecard
Full series registration is open through May 11. Registration for single sessions will be made available on a rolling basis at siouxfallschamber.com. For more information, contact Justin Bentaas at jbentaas@siouxfalls.com.
Nov. 10
Beginner inclusion and equity strategies
Dec. 8
How to create diversity allies and advocates
Jan. 12
Fundamentals of unconscious bias
Feb. 9
Fundamentals of inclusive leadership
Mar. 9
Fundamentals of cultural competence
Register for the complete DE&I Activator Series:
https://rb.gy/afe073
chambernews.com | Chamber News 33
Headlines
Sioux Falls Regional Airport: A key Forward Sioux Falls initiative By Mike Lynch Forward Sioux Falls
The Sioux Falls Regional Airport (Joe Foss Field) is a significant contributor to the area’s economy as it provides essential flights to both business and leisure travelers and remains a key initiative within the Forward Sioux Falls program. It has seen many transformations since opening at its current site in 1939 when it was primarily used for mail transport. During World War II, the airstrip was transferred to the U.S. Army, where it served as a major radio school. In 1966, jet service began, as Ozark and Western Airlines offered service. The present-day terminal opened in 1970 and has seen multiple upgrades since that time including investments of over $45 million in the past ten years on terminal and parking improvements. Currently, there are five carriers (Delta, American, United, Allegiant and Frontier), which combined offer non-stop service to nine destinations as well as five seasonal locations. And while commercial air service may be the airport’s highest profile service, there are several other users that also make a significant impact upon our area. Joe Foss Field is home to the 114th Fighter Wing of the South Dakota Air National Guard, which alone boasts a $71 million economic impact to the Sioux Falls area. UPS and Federal Express transport over 60 million pounds of cargo annually, in addition to 18 million pounds of mail. Sanford and Avera health systems operate air med flights. General aviation includes Signature Aviation and Maverick Air as fixed base operators. Finally, the airport provides U.S. Customs and Port of Entry services. Passenger enplanements peaked at 582,500 in 2019, but dropped sharply due to the pandemic. However, after a low mark of just under 294,000 in 2020, travel has increased and is showing signs for a strong rebound in 2021. Sioux Falls Regional Airport Executive Director Dan Letellier, says people are eager to resume flying. “With vaccines continuing to be 34 Chamber News | MAY 2021
more readily available and airlines taking steps to enhance sanitation, distancing and air filtration, we’ve seen many travelers motivated to fly and therefore, we expect to end 2021 in a strong way.” Major improvements are ahead for the airport. The concourse/gate area will see new interior finishes as well as restaurant seating and food options upgrades, in addition the security checkpoint will expand screening options to improve passenger flow. Completed improvements over the past year include a remodeled/expanded baggage claim area and a new rental car quick-turn facility which will greatly improve the ability to make rental cars available for area travelers. An expansion of the economy lot will also ensure that future spring break travelers, as well as snowbirds, have ample parking. To cap off these significant updates, construction will soon begin on a modern parking ramp, to be located on what is now a portion of short-term/long-term parking. Over the past ten years, the airport has focused much of its marketing efforts to promote that flying out of Sioux Falls is economical and efficient. As a result, FSD has increased its local market share for those departing from Sioux Falls by 23 percent. Funding within the Forward Sioux Falls 2026 program will augment efforts to expand marketing Sioux Falls as a preferred destination to new regions, increasing passenger enplanements, continuing to reduce leakage to airports such as Omaha and Minneapolis, expanding provider routes, increasing the level of commercial air service and providing financial incentives to carriers to add new service destinations. “We very much value the partnership that the Airport Authority Board has formed with Forward Sioux Falls,” Letellier said. “In addition, as a major investor, we’ve realized a positive return on investment and appreciate the significant role this economic development program plays within the entire Sioux Falls region.”
Thank you. Being in business is never easy. But it seems even more difficult these days. Thank you for doing business in our community. It matters.
SNBSD.com
9057_SNB_ThankYou_7.25x9.875_SF Chmbr_Color_SNBSD.indd 1
Headlines
The 2019 Armed Forces Day ceremonies.
Public invited to attend Armed Forces Day ceremonies The Military & Veterans Affairs Committee of the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce is hosting the annual Armed Forces Day program on Saturday, May 15. The program will take place at 10:30 a.m. at the South Dakota Military Heritage Alliance, located at 1600 W. Russell St. President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to come Maj. Gen. Jeffrey P. together and thank military members for their Marlette patriotic service in support of the country. On Aug. 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force Days. The single day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under the Department of Defense. The 2021 event features a keynote address from Major General Jeffrey P. Marlette. Maj. Gen. Marlette was appointed by Governor Kristi Noem as South Dakota’s 22nd Adjutant General on June 8, 2019. He also serves as Commanding General for both the South Dakota Air and Army National Guard. He is responsible for federal and state missions, assignment of leaders, recruiting, training, equipping, mobilization, facilities and public relations. He is also responsible for formulating,
36 Chamber News | MAY 2021
Armed Forces Day
Saturday, May 15 10:30 a.m. South Dakota Military Heritage Alliance Program will be livestreamed at facebook.com/siouxfallschamber
developing and coordinating all policies, plans and programs affecting Army and Air National Guard members in South Dakota. In addition, Maj. Gen. Marlette is South Dakota’s Secretary of the Military, serving as the principle advisor to Governor Kristi Noem on all matters involving use of the National Guard. In addition to a formal military program and an Avenue of Flags Ceremony, “Stars & Stripes” awards will be presented to selected Sioux Falls citizens who proudly fly the American flag year-round. Outstanding Achievement Awards will be presented to selected guardsmen/women and reservists for outstanding military achievement and commitment to their country and community. Oath of Enlistment Ceremonies will induct South Dakota volunteers into the U.S. Armed Forces.
Forward Sioux Falls
2021-2026
Projected Impact & Return on Investment
5-Year Strategies
4,500 500M 300 12 1,000 25,000 $
• Talent Attraction, Retention & Development • Business Retention, Expansion & Attraction • Innovation & Entrepreneurship • Business Advocacy & Quality of Place Enhancement • Air Services & International Trade
NEW P ER SON A L IN C OME $
Goals & Outcomes New Direct Jobs (at or above median wage) New Capital Investment Existing Companies Assisted Talent / Workforce Recruitment / Diversity Programs New Housing Units (Housing Trust Fund) New Residents
NEW BUSINESS OUTPUT $
TO TAL NEW JOBS
9,222
600,184,856
2.15 Billion
DIRECT: 4,500 INDIRECT: 2,355 INDUCED: 2,367
(ANNUALLY BY 2026)
(ANNUALLY BY 2026)
NEW ANNUAL BUSINESS OUTPUT IN MILLIONS Management of Companies Real Estate Wholesale – Appliances & Electronics Hospitals Housing Banks & Credit Unions Insurance Agencies Insurance Carriers Wholesale – Equipment Offices of Physicians
67.8
$
44.0
$
40.0
$
39.9
10,312,883
$
$
34.6 33.4 $ 33.3 $ 29.5 $ 22.4 $ 18.5
Minnehaha & Lincoln County Municipalities
$
$
3,062,225
$
Minnehaha & Lincoln Counties
1
13.27*
$
*Based on $12,500,000 5-year investment from private sector and 7.7% avg. profit on $2.15 billion in new annual output.
PUBLIC SECTOR
P R I VAT E SECTOR
PROJECTED RETURN ON INVESTMENT $
A N N U A L TA X REVENUE INCREASES
1
$
9.28**
$
*Based on $2,500,000 5-year investment from public sector and new annual tax revenues of $23,196,441.
Analysis Source: Economic Strategy Center IMPLAN Input / Output model for Minnehaha and Lincoln Counties
9,821,333
$
Special Tax Districts
31,829,801
$
State of South Dakota
Using Your Membership
Chamber members network at a Membership Mixer hosted by Montgomery’s in February of 2020.
Grow your network with the Chamber Networking events offered in a variety of formats One of the benefits of Chamber membership that many people appreciate is the opportunity to meet other professionals, form connections and grow your business through networking. The Chamber holds monthly networking events so members can meet and exchange ideas, develop business relationships and expand their professional network. Events can take on a range of sizes and formats, with attendees from all industries and backgrounds.
Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce
We are excited to welcome you back to in person events on a more regular basis, starting this month. Ribbon Cuttings, Membership Mixers and Morning Mingles are popular networking and celebratory events that we chose to pause over the winter as a safety precaution. With the arrival of spring, and progress on the vaccine front, we look forward to networking in person with members again! In person ribbon cuttings resumed in late April. In May, we’ll have a Morning Mingle hosted by OsteoStrong and June brings a Membership Mixer at the brand new First PREMIER Bank building. While we look forward to networking in person again, we want to assure you that our commitment to health and safety remains a priority. We’ll continue to encourage appropriate social distancing and
38 Chamber News | MAY 2021
June 8
First PREMIER Bank
Aug. 17
Sanford Health
July 13
Jami Gates
Save the Date Membership Mixers South Dakota Military Heritage Alliance
Sept. 14 American Bank & Trust
masking measures in accordance with CDC guidance. Since the start of the pandemic over a year ago, we’ve offered virtual networking opportunities as a way to continue to help people connect, even when we were physically separated. Our Unmuted virtual mixer has become very popular, and we’ve decided to continue to offer that option indefinitely. If you are not ready to network in person yet, or you just prefer the structure and format of the virtual experience – Unmuted is a great option. Whether you are bumping elbows at an in-person Mixer or exchanging introductions over Zoom, we’re committed to helping you connect with other Chamber members and take advantage of all the services the Chamber offers.
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PREMIUM SPONSORED CONTENT
How you build a bank In March of 2019, First PREMIER Bank broke ground on a new Main Office in downtown Sioux Falls. This month, we will open the doors and celebrate the culmination of over three decades of strategic initiatives and investments into our customers, our employees and the communities that we serve. The story of 500 S. Minnesota Avenue began 35 years ago with a vision to create an organization that people were proud to be a part of. That required strong leadership, a set of shared values and a commitment to develop a positive culture. Today, we’re proud to say we have an amazing team of employees committed to exhibiting the PREMIER Attitude and living The PREMIER Way. We always say that our employees are our greatest asset, and their ability to develop strong customer relationships is our key strategic advantage. It’s how we built our bank. One customer relationship at a time. It’s also why we built a new building in downtown Sioux Falls. Customer and community-centric construction
When everything we do is employee, customer and community focused, it’s important to continually invest in each. Our new fivestory Main Office and Corporate Headquarters does just that. It was designed with the bank’s employees, customers and community members in mind. First PREMIER Bank now has the space needed to bring all business lines together. You’ll find personal and business banking, mortgage, wealth management and brokerage services all under one roof. We believe this generates better synergy for our teams and provides increased capacity to serve our customers’ financial needs. We designed our new building to have ample conference rooms and meeting spaces to ensure we could meet privately and comfortably with our customers. Our large training room and catering kitchen provide space for education, professional development and strategic planning sessions – with incredible views of downtown Sioux Falls. Purposefully placed at the corner of 14th Street and Minnesota Avenue, we stand as the gateway to our beautiful and growing downtown. The building adds to our city’s skyline and helps showcase the bustling commerce that we are experiencing in the heart of and all throughout our community. We also wanted to create a comfortable and welcoming space. The building’s layout and design are based entirely around the customer experience and our PREMIER brand was incorporated throughout
Image of bank
each floor. Guests who look closely will see our PREMIER “wave” in many of the architectural features and our corporate colors can be found in the artwork, workspaces and signage. The next chapter
Much like the story of Sioux Falls, First PREMIER Bank has become a tale of remarkable success. We’ve experienced exponential growth on a local, regional, and national level. In 2020, we were recognized by American Banker as one of the “Best Banks to Work For” for the sixth consecutive year, and S&P Global Market Intelligence just named us the “best-performing” large community bank in the U.S. First PREMIER has achieved this success by continually investing in its customers, communities and employees. Our most recent investment was a $100 million gift from First PREMIER Bank, PREMIER Bankcard and philanthropist T. Denny Sanford to create a need-based scholarship program in South Dakota. This program, combined with the Build South Dakota scholarship program, will help ensure South Dakota has a viable workforce and healthy business community for generations to come. This commitment extends to PREMIER’s 2,200 employees who help support nearly 700 local non-profit organizations, and annually give back over 30,000 hours of personal volunteer service, in an effort to make Sioux Falls and South Dakota a better place for all. Our new building at 500 S. Minnesota Avenue was made possible by our PREMIER employees and their hard work and dedication to our customers. It’s proof positive that when you have the right people, financial solutions and a spirit of service, you can build not just a beautiful building but one of the nation’s strongest community banks.
Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. AA/EOE
Ribbon Cuttings
Ribbon Cuttings
The Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce offers a ribbon cutting ceremony or member spotlight video for members to celebrate joining the Chamber, milestone anniversaries, expansions or remodelings. The public and all Chamber members are invited to share in the celebration. Call (605) 336-1620 for more information or to schedule your event. Groundbreaking ceremonies are coordinated by the Sioux Falls Development Foundation. Call (605) 339-0103 for more information or to schedule your event.
Gordon Flesch Company
NEW MEMBER
2600 W. 49th St. gflesch.com The Gordon Flesch Company is a third generation, family-owned business committed to providing premier customer service as an integrated business technology solutions provider, serving companies large and small across all verticals. L to R: Grant Westemeier, Jay Rasmussen, Anna Jankord, Patrick Flesch (president), Jeff Griffin, Mark Flesch, Lynda Billars and Derrick Karsky.
chambernews.com | Chamber News 41
Membership
Member Anniversaries Founding Members Bechtold Jewelry Jewelry bechtoldjewelry.com Member since 1907
Electric Supply Co., Inc.
Electricians & Electrical Contractors electricsupplyfsd.com Member since 1923
Innovative Office Solutions
Congratulations to the following members who are celebrating their milestone membership anniversaries this month. They are part of a continued commitment to our community through their investment in the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce. To learn more about Chamber membership, contact (605) 336-1620 or gsfcc@siouxfalls.com. Find a complete Membership Directory online at siouxfallschamber.com.
45 Years
A-OX Welding Supply Co., Inc.
Office Equipment & Supplies innovativeos.com Member since 1907
Industrial Equipment & Supply aoxwelding.com
75 Years
Specialty Industrial jerkeconstruction.com
Lewis Drug, Inc.
Drug & Convenience Stores lewisdrug.com
50 Years
Interstate Office Products Office Equipment & Supplies i-o-p.com
Malloy
Industrial Equipment & Supply malloyelectric.com
Associations siouxempirefair.org
30 Years
Jerke Construction Co.
AgriCare Nutrition, LLC Pets agricarenutrition.com
Chuck Sutton Auctioneer and Land Broker, LLC
40 Years
Northern Truck Equipment Corp.
Ag Services suttonauction.com
Heavy Equipment ntecorp.com
25 Years
Orthopedic Institute
Brende & Meadors LLP
Physicians & Surgeons orthopedicinstitutesf.com
“
Sioux Empire Fair Association
Attorneys bsmllp.com
Inter-Lakes Community Action Partnership Associate Member interlakescap.com
20 Years
Short-Elliott-Hendrickson, Inc. Engineering sehinc.com
15 Years
Dakota BUSINESS Finance Associate Member dakotabusinessfinance.com
Skinner Financial Services Financial Planning skinnerfinancial.net
For Cornerstone, being a community bank isn’t just a place holder. It’s the hard work we do day in and day out, year in and
“
year out.
- Jeff Thomas, CEO
www.cornerstonebanks.net | 605-305-3400
42 Chamber News | MAY 2021
South Dakota Rehabilitation Center for the Blind Associate Member state.sd.us/dhs/sbvi
Hartman Architecture, LLC Architecture
MarketBeat
AFLAC - Melissa Beck Affiliate-Insurance aflac.com
Chad Phillips Photography Artists & Photographers chadphillipsphotography.com
The Electric Crayon Personal Services theelectriccrayonsd.com
Affiliate-Real Estate fishersisters.com
South Dakota Wind Energy Association
Fisher Sisters Real Estate Danielle Fisher
Associate Member sdwea.org
Building & Remodeling millirongq.com
Clothing & Shoes walmart.com
Allstate - Pickering Agency
Insurance & Benefits agents.allstate.com/daniel-pickeringsioux-falls-sd.html
South Dakota Rock and Roll Music Association
Associate Member southdakotarockandrollmusicassociation.com
IT Outlet, Inc.
Calico Skies Vineyard & Winery
Computer Sales & Service itoutlet.com
Schoenhard’s Custom Cabinetry Inc.
Associate Member calicoskieswine.com
5 Years
Associate Member southdakotaalliance.org
Affiliate-Real Estate fishersisters.com
Wal-Mart South
First Year Reinvestors
Milliron Granite & Quartz
South Dakota Military Heritage Alliance, Inc.
Real Estate-Residential fishersisters.com
Fisher Sisters Real Estate Brit Whalen
Financial Services marketbeat.com
10 Years
Fisher Sisters Real Estate
Cabinetry schoenhards.com
CNC Food Factory, LLC Restaurants cncfoodfactory.org
Sioux Valley Grille
Associate Member facebook.com/siouxvalleygrille
Edward Jones - Jennifer Tolk Financial Planning edwardjones.com/jennifer-tolk
A good employment lawyer today prevents problems tomorrow. Running a business is hard. You can wait until employee issues come up to seek counsel, or you can get peace of mind by proactively staying compliant with the law. We know the issues you face, and we'll help you through them. AMANDA BAHENA
SETH LOPOUR
GARY P. THIMSEN
MORGAN F. BREKKE
TIM R. SHATTUCK
ALEXIS WARNER
MELANIE L. CARPENTER
JEFF SHULTZ
JENNIFER L. WOSJE
DAVID C. KROON
HEATHER R. SPRINGER
www.woodsfuller.com 300 S Phillips Ave, Suite 300 | Sioux Falls, SD 57104 | (605) 336-3890
Knowledge. Heritage. Innovation. chambernews.com | Chamber News 43
Membership
New Members All American Gymnastics Academy Sporting Clubs & Associations Gene Luke, (605) 334-4311 7321 S. Grasslands Place, 57108 allamericangymnastics.com
Amy’s Cleaning Inc.
Cleaning Services Amy Mellegard, (605) 929-9731 amyscleaningsf.com
Capriotti’s
Restaurants Tonya J. Niewald, (605) 271-7303 2504 S. Marion Road, 57106 capriottis.com
Dakota Territory Custom Homes & Contractors
Building & Remodeling Patricia Bender Lawrence, (605) 370-8234 dakotaterritorycustomhomes.com
ELBO Computing Resources, Inc. IT Consulting Kyle Boese, (605) 361-3720 P.O. Box 1632, 57101 elbo.net
eXp Realty
Real Estate–Residential Jon Mehlhoff, (800) 674-6089
Fully Promoted
Promotional Products Derek Haffner, (605) 274-0105 7407 E. Arrowhead Parkway, 57110 fullypromoted.com/locations/sioux-falls-sd
Hunters Pointe Shooting Complex Associate Member Chris Chamness, (605) 363-6489 45761 260th St., Humboldt, SD 57035 hunterspointesd.com
Hurdle Life Foundation
Associate Member Terry Liggins, (605) 838-7898 facebook.com/thehurdlelifecoach
44 Chamber News | MAY 2021
New members are printed in each issue of Chamber News. Following is a list of businesses or individuals who have invested in the greater community by joining the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce. An online Membership Directory can be found at siouxfallschamber.com. Want to become a member? Call (605) 336-1620.
Innovative Basement Authority Building & Remodeling Melanie White, (605) 231-8041 1330 41st St. N., Fargo, ND 58102 innovativebasementauthority.com
Jessi Schmeichel, Realtor
Real Estate–Residential Jessi Schmeichel, (605) 360-3168 6300 S. Connie Ave., 57108 justcalljessi.com
Keller Williams Realty – Kelly Brack Real Estate–Residential Kelly Brack, (605) 400-2610
Mark & Sandy McClung Associate Member
Mike Crane
Associate Member
Minnekota Markets LLC
Wholesale Jody Japs Jung, (612) 670-8022 minnekotamarkets.com
Mission Nutrition
Nutrition & Supplements Sarah Wambach, (605) 306-4429 3400 W. 49th St., Suite 114, 57106
Northwestern Mutual – Justin Black Affiliate–Insurance Justin Black, (605) 940-5263 2307 W. 57th St., 57108 justinpblack.nm.com
Northwestern Mutual – Vince Byers Affiliate–Insurance Vince Byers, (605) 361-9788 2307 W. 57th St., 57108 vincebyers.nm.com
Pascoe Chiropractic – Dr. Sam Alfred Chiropractor Dr. Sam Alfred, (605) 271-4109 2101 W. 41st St., Suite 4, 57105 drpascoe.com
Pathways to Inclusive & Equitable Workplaces
Associate Member Kira Kimball, (605) 351-0794 facebook.com/PathwaysSF
Rod Carlson
Associate Member
Sal’s Construction
Contractors Salvador Madrigal, (605) 305-6474
South Dakota Republican Party Associations Dan Lederman, (712) 251-1992 sdgop.com
Staples
Printing Tyler Reichelt, (605) 338-9276 515 W. 41st St., 57105 staples.com
The Thrift Shop
Associate Member Craig Nichols, (605) 323-8283 3422 S. Minnesota Ave., 57105 facebook.com/thethriftshopsf
Tim Sturdevant Associate Member
Tri-State Nursing
Home Health Care John Stollberg, (605) 271-9980 3410 S. Western Ave., 57105 tristatenursing.com
Yakkity Yak Coffee Shack
Associate Member 7321 S. Grasslands Place, 57108
Share your message with the business community Advertise in Chamber News Chamber News is a direct business-tobusiness publication that reaches the decision-makers in Sioux Falls area businesses. It is mailed directly to more than 5,000 Chamber members and distributed free at select locations around Sioux Falls.
Promote your business in Chamber News. Contact Steven Herman at (605) 373-2013 or chambernews@siouxfalls.com.
Five Questions
Five questions is a monthly feature on a Chamber volunteer, Chamber member or staff member. Want to be featured here? Call (605) 336-1620.
Five questions with Casey Hatch Casey Hatch is a broker associate/realtor with Keller Williams Realty Sioux Falls. He is a U.S. Army Paratrooper veteran from the 3/325 Airborne Combat Team of the 82nd Airborne Division. While he is no longer in active military service, he has remained engaged with the military in Sioux Falls and is currently serving as chair of the Chamber’s Military & Veterans Affairs Committee. Casey has three adult sons and is also a proud new grandpa to 5-month old Colton.
How do you describe Sioux Falls to people who don’t live here? As a real estate professional, I meet people daily who are considering Sioux Falls and South Dakota as their home. I tell them that the freedoms that America was founded upon still live here in Sioux Falls. I grew up 35 miles west of here, have been all over the world and circled back....not only because it’s home to me, but because of the culture of giving, helping one another, freedom to be who you are, neighborly environment and it is culturally one of the most well-rounded cities I’ve seen. Almost everyone I meet in business or otherwise seems to have grown up in a smaller ag community outside of Sioux Falls. I think it’s that small town feel that makes Sioux Falls such a great place to live.
Name a tool could you not live without. Why? Casey Hatch
Keller Williams Realty Sioux Falls
It would have to be my bow. My bow has not only put food on my table for my family and I, but it serves as a “tool” to bring us all together during the hunting seasons and off season 3D tournaments. When I’m on a mountainside, in a blind or in a tree with my bow and I have a friend or family member with me, life is good!
How did you choose your profession? As a stay-at-home father, I wanted to find a career that I could choose my hours and not have to be locked down to a 9-5 day. As a realtor, I could slowly enter the field of real estate sales while still watching my young boys wrestle in the mud in the backyard. As the boys got older, I got busier and soon they went to school during the day. At that point, my career took off and I soon opened my own real estate office, got into new construction/developments and later into investing in real estate myself. After 19 years in the business, it’s given me the freedom to do the things I love and also make a decent living.
What is a skill that you’d like to learn and why? I know this might sound strange coming from a bowhunter and fisherman, but I’d like to learn how to dance. I’ve always wanted to be the guy with the gal that could cut a rug on the dance floor but never had the guts to do it. Someday soon, I’m going to take lessons and break out of my comfort zone!
In what ways did your military service impact you long-term, either personally or professionally? Wow, this is a loaded question. My military experience impacted and molded me to who I am today. Adjusting to civilian life was harder than I thought possible, but I feel like it gave me a competitive advantage over anyone else. In the Airborne Infantry, we were up at “zero dark thirty” daily, physically training and running missions. There was a specific chain of command and you followed it. Failure wasn’t an option; you may hurt a little but you got there and when you did, you were stronger for it. Success breeds more success and that is motivating! And nobody truly succeeds alone...whether that’s your spouse, your commander or your co-worker, we all need someone to push us to the next level, to make us uncomfortable and to lift us up when we feel like we can’t do anymore.
46 Chamber News | MAY 2021
Are You Running Your Business, or Is It Running You? May 27 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Hilton Garden Inn | 201 E. 8th St., Downtown Sioux Falls
A workshop for entrepreneurs and high-performance management teams who want to: • Build focus, discipline and accountability throughout your organization • Solve problems once and for all and produce real, permanent change • Define what’s important, who owns it, and exactly what success looks like • Become more profitable and increase the value of your business No theory. No management fads. Just practical, useful actions and tools that help people in all industries get more of the right stuff done every day. Guest Speaker:
Joe Paulsen, Certified EOS® Implementer Pinnacle Business Traction
An EOS® Workshop sponsored by
Seating is limited. Register at http://bit.ly/MyCFSEvents or by calling 605-357-8553. No fee to attend. Pre-registration is required.
www.MyCFSGroup.com | info@MyCFSGroup.com Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse Joe Paulsen or Pinnacle Business Traction. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Cornerstone Financial Solutions Inc. is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services. Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc.
Nation’s Best Performing Large Community Bank By always doing what’s right for our customers, communities and employees, First PREMIER Bank has grown into the nation’s best-performing large community bank*. The right people. The right financial solutions. A spirit of service. That’s how we built our bank.
*S&P Global Market Intelligence, Best-performing community bank with assets between $3 billion and $10 billion, 2020.
PERSONAL | BUSINESS | MORTGAGE | WEALTH MANAGEMENT
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