BOARD OF DIRECTORS & STAFF

Bob started in 1997 and is a fourth-generation family member to be involved with the bank. He is proud of the Bank’s corporate values and culture and enjoys building long-term relationships with clients as he helps them prosper and succeed. Bob grew up in Sioux Falls and attended college at the University of Montana. He then continued his education through the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Colorado.

Jay Buchholz is Sioux Valley Energy’s Key Account and Community Relations Executive. Jay graduated both South Dakota State University and Mitchell Technical Institute were he puts his media and technical skills to use. Having worked at KELOLAND Media group for over 10 years in sales, marketing and management, Jay ventured into the utility and economic development world at Sioux Valley Energy. 

David Doxtad has over 10 years of professional leadership and business development experience with ISG, a multi-disciplinary architecture, engineering, environmental, and planning firm with 10 Midwest offices in four states. As a civil engineer leading the Public Works Business Unit, David has held several leadership positions within the firm including Sioux Falls Office Leader, Associate Principal, and his current role as President, where he continues to build upon ISG’s growth and multi-market, multi-disciplinary structure.

·         Joan Franken is the Managing Director and one of the owners of Costello Companies. She has been with the company for 26 years and has gained extensive knowledge and experience in management, development and compliance of affordable multifamily housing properties that utilize several state and federal programs. Joan received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an accounting emphasis from the University of South Dakota; is a licensed real estate broker in Iowa, South Dakota and Wyoming and is a certified Housing Development Finance Professional. She serves as a board member for several local and national housing affiliated agencies and communities.

Chad is IT professional with 16 years experience. In addition to having a passion for developing his community through local government, he currently manages Raztech with his business partner, where they are focused on growing and optimizing Managed IT services for small to mid-sized businesses.

Mike Wendland is the Development Director for Grant Park Capital, LLC.  Mike graduated from Augustana College and worked for Citi for 31 years.  While working at Citi, Mike also served 4 years on the city council for the City of Baltic and then 18 years as the Mayor.  Mike then became the City Administrator and Economic Development Director for the City of Baltic.  Mike served on the Board of Directors and the President of the Board of Directors for the South Dakota Municipal League. Mike received the Excellence in Municipal Government Award.  Mike and his wife Dawn have three children.

Dennis moved to Brandon in 1986 and has been married to wife Cathy for 50 years and have two daughters and six grandchildren.  Olson served as the Brandon City Administrator from 1986 to 2010 and has been activity involved with the Brandon Development Foundation since 1986 and participated in the development of all six industrial parks in the City of Brandon.  Dennis is recently retired from his part time role as the Brandon Economic Development Director. 

Mike Jaspers joined the East River Electric team in July of 2018, following two years of service as South Dakota’s Secretary of Agriculture.  As Business Development Director, Mike leads efforts to expand opportunities for existing members of the rural electric cooperative system, as well as recruiting and assisting new members through economic development growth.

Previously, Mike as served as the South Dakota State Director for USDA/Rural Development and was a member of the SD state legislature for 8 years, serving in both the House and Senate. 

With more than 20 years of experience in telecommunications, Heather, a resident of Salem, South Dakota has been a significant contributor to TrioTel’s growth and success during her long tenure with the company. Prior to stepping into the CEO and General Manager role in 2022, she served as the Director of Internal Operations.

·         Tyler Tordsen is a lifelong South Dakotan who was born in Sioux Falls, grew up in Rapid City and is an enrolled member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in political science and economics from the University of South Dakota.

Tyler has spent the last eight and half years serving U.S. Senator Mike Rounds as his Southeast Regional Director and State Director of Tribal Affairs. In this role, Tyler served as the lead representative on behalf of Senator Rounds in the southeast region, lead a team of dedicated staff in helping South Dakotans with issues arising with the federal government, and frequently connected constituents and communities in the 22-county region to helpful resources.

In 2022, Tyler was elected to the South Dakota House of Representatives for District 14 and is a member of the House Education and House Judiciary Committees. He also serves as a commissioner to the Midwestern Higher Education Compact representing South Dakota, along with being selected as a 2023 National Conference of State Legislatures Youth Homelessness Fellow.

Tyler, his wife Erika, and their two sons Emmett and Atlas currently live in Sioux Falls.

Tyler has previously served on the South Dakota Board of Educational Telecommunications and on the Senate Bill 55 taskforce for higher education. He’s currently a member of the Sioux Falls YMCA Board of Directors, the USD Alumni Association and Foundation Board of Directors, and is a member of Downtown Sioux Falls Rotary Club.

Ryan Solberg is originally from Mitchell, SD and attended Augustana University where he majored in Government and International Affairs and minored in Economics and History. He graduated with his Bachelor of Arts degree in May of 2020. While in college, Ryan interned for the City of Sioux Falls Planning and Development Services Department as well as the Office of Congressman Collin Peterson (MN).

·         SMGA is starting 2024 with their newest Economic Development and Member Relations Specialist, Bryce Healy. Healy joins SMGA with over a decade of leadership as the Executive Director of the Associated General Contractors of South Dakota. There he gained invaluable economic development experience as he worked with AGC-SD’s membership, developers, and industry experts. Healy is looking forward to bringing his talents and expertise to SGMA and is eager to help empower regional growth.

·         Chris Fields is originally from Overland Park, KS, near the Kansas City Metro. Upon graduating high school, Fields attended the University of Kansas, earning his bachelor’s degree in Political Science. While at KU, he served as the Risk Management Chair as a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, as well as served as an intern in the State of Kansas Senate for Sen. Pete Brungardt (Saline County).

Recently, Fields received his Master’s of Public Administration, with honors, from Bellevue University. Along with his B.A. and MPA, he also brings to SMGA a wealth of knowledge in sales, customer service, and leadership.

Fields and his wife, Sarah reside in Tea, along with their five children – Caydence, Connor, Eli, Olivia and Gabriel.

Karen Ruhland started her career in economic development with an internship at the Sioux City Chamber of Commerce while completing her degree at Briar Cliff University.

With a knack for editing, attention to detail, and a love of demographics and stats, Ruhland serves as a valuable resource for the entire Sioux Metro.

Ruhland also serves as the Director of Research, Membership & Communications at the Sioux Falls Development Foundation and joins SMGA in a support capacity to assist with project management and other administrative support functions.