Leadership

Sally Anderson, Honorary Member, Mesquite, TX
Occupation: Retired

Sally and her husband, Ken, live in Mesquite, TX. They have five adult children. Sally is a graduate of the University of North Texas with a BA in Journalism. Sally is the great-great-granddaughter of Elizabeth Bixby Sherrard, Children’s Home Society’s founder, and as such holds an honorary seat on the Children’s Home Society Board of Directors.

Matt Benne, Rapid City, SD
Occupation: Owner/Manager, Buffalo Wild Wings

Matt’s hometown is Rapid City. He and his wife Sarah have three children: Ezra, Lane, and Reagan. Matt graduated from Augustana University with a degree in Business Administration and has volunteered with Special Olympics. His hobbies include spending time with family and friends, golfing, skiing, and anything in the outdoors.

Jim Berman, Sioux Falls
Occupation: President/General Manager, Dakota News Now

Jim’s hometown is New York, NY. He and his wife, Theresa, currently reside in Sioux Falls and have two children, Claire and David. Jim enjoys running, working out, coaching/mentoring, sports and spending time with his family.

Jim received an English degree from Rutgers University. He has also served on the Board of Directors for Make-A-Wish, Junior Achievement and Family Services.

Darla Crown, Rapid City

Darla is originally from Wall. She received her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Black Hills State University and her Masters of Education and Masters of Science in Guidance Counseling and Human Resource Development from South Dakota State University. Darla is retired from the South Dakota Army National Guard and the US Army. She is married to Douglas and they live in Rapid City.

Darla belongs to Rushmore Rotary, Women’s Veterans of the Black Hills and American Legion #246. She serves on the Central States Fair Foundation Board, Veteran’s Court, Rushmore Rotary Board, the ESGR (Employer Support of Guard and Reserve) and on the Liturgy Committee at Blessed Sacrament Church..

Paulette Davidson, Rapid City
Occupation: President/CEO, Monument Health

Paulette’s hometown is Waukegan, IL. Paulette and her husband, Dru, live in Rapid City and have three adult children: Alanna, Payton, and Alyssa. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a BS in Business Administration and earned her MBA from the University of Notre Dame. She is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and a Certified Member of the American College of Medical Practice Executives. Paulette also serves on the boards of Elevate Rapid City, South Dakota Chamber of Commerce, South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations, and Monument Health Systems. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, horseback riding, and spending time with family.

Tim Dougherty, Sioux Falls
Occupation: Lawyer, Dougherty & Dougherty, LLP

Tim Dougherty is a lifelong resident of Sioux Falls. He graduated from the University of South Dakota. In 1984, he received a law degree from the University of South Dakota School of Law. He is a partner in the law firm of Dougherty & Dougherty, LLP. His practice includes lobbying, business and real estate transactions, wills and trusts, probate and family law. Tim is a member of the Board of Bar Commissioners of the State Bar of South Dakota and serves on the board of managers of Dougherty Trust Company LLC. He formerly served on the boards of Avera at Home LLC, Friends of South Dakota Public Broadcasting, South Dakota Art Museum, Wegner Arboretum Society, Washington Pavilion of Arts Sciences, Senior Citizen Services Inc, and Sioux Empire Fair Association. He also served as a member of the South Dakota Transportation Commission, the Governor’s Commission on Child Support and the Sioux Falls Board of Adjustment. Tim is married to Federal District Court Judge Karen E. Schreier.

Heath Ducheneaux, Kyle
Occupation: Oglala Sioux Tribe Vocational Rehabilitation Program Counselor

Heath’s hometown is Eagle Butte, South Dakota. Heath lives in Kyle with his family and has two children who fill him with immense pride. He graduated from the Oglala Lakota College in 2013. Heath formerly served on the boards of the Lakota Waldorf School and the Oaye luta Okolakiciye.

Steve Flanery, Rapid City

Steve’s hometown is Huron. He and his wife, Helen, live in Rapid City, and have two adult children and three grandchildren. Steve graduated from the University of South Dakota with a BS in Political Science and History. He currently serves on the Black Hills Area Community Foundation, South Dakota Hall of Fame and Hanson-Larsen Memorial Park Foundation boards. Steve enjoys skiing, mountain biking, traveling, reading history and biographies, good conversation, listening to music/jazz, and fine foods and wine with family and friends.

Lafawn Janis, Rapid City
Occupation: Human Relations Commission Coordinator, City of Rapid City

Lafawn is a seventh-generation member of the Oglala Lakota Tribe, born on the Pine Ridge Reservation and a longtime resident of Rapid City. She has two sons, Grey and Dominic. Lafawn is a Black Hills State University alumni and worked as a consultant for 13 years before her current position. She gives time to causes close to her heart, which are protecting children, domestic violence prevention and support and helping create culturally inclusive environments. When not working, you will find Lafawn traveling, skiing, mountain biking, hiking or eating. Lafawn states that she is “honored and excited to help Children’s Home in whatever ways I am capable.”

Laura Johnson, Reva
Occupation: Retired from Harding County Schools, Rancher, Instruction Manager with Apex

Laura’s hometown is Sturgis. She attended college in the Black Hills where she received a BA in Education and later received an MA in Administration at Grand Canyon. Laura and her husband, Bill, have four children: Robin, Keri, Katie, and Brad and 12 grandchildren. Laura is a nationally registered EMT and her hobbies include reading, walking and sports.

Laura belongs to the National Association of Music Educators and National EMT.

Melissa Johnson, Sioux Falls
Occupation: Founder/CEO, Oh My Cupcakes! and Sweet Cream Candle Company, Writer and Speaker at Melissa J Creative

Melissa’s hometown is Larchwood, IA. She is a member of SME, CQ (a high level women’s professional development group), and the South Dakota Retailers Association. Melissa also serves on the VOA Foundation Board and Avera Philanthropy Council. She is a writer and a public speaker who facilitates professional development for teams of all sizes. Melissa has four children: Randi, 27; Emily, 24; Brandon, 19, and Lyric, 10, and one grandson, Elias, 18 months. She enjoys writing, reading and hiking.

Amy Koenig, Rapid City
Occupation: VP - Governance, Corporate Secretary and Deputy General Counsel, Black Hills Corporation

Amy’s hometown is Yankton. She earned a BS in ChemE at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, and a JD from the University of South Dakota School of Law. Amy is a member of the South Dakota State Bar, the Wyoming State Bar, the Association of Corporate Counsel, the Society of Governance Professionals and the National Association of Corporate Directors. She is a certified governance professional and serves as an advisor for the Women in Leadership Program at the University of North Dakota. Amy has two children: Mason, 12, and Ellie, 10.

Eric Lee, Rapid City
Occupation: Owner/Wealth Advisor, Purple Wealth, LLC

Eric resides in Rapid City with his wife, Terri. They have two daughters: Hannah attends the University of Utah, and Julia attends Augustana University. Eric attended the University of Wyoming and has been a Wealth Advisor for nearly three decades. He loves wake surfing and powder skiing with family and friends, mountain biking in the Black Hills and traveling with Terri..

Luke Lindberg, Harrisburg, SD
Occupation: President & CEO, South Dakota Trade

Luke, his wife Brittany, and two children live in Harrisburg, SD, where he leads a public-private partnership association that navigates international trade for companies across the state. Previously, Luke served as the Chief of Staff and Chief Strategy Officer at the Export-Import Bank of the United States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the America First Policy Institute and has been featured by Fox News, The Washington Times, The Hill, The Daily Caller, The Federalist and The Farm Journal for his thought leadership on international affairs.

John Nooney, Rapid City
Occupation: Lawyer, Nooney & Solay, LLP

JJohn K. Nooney was born and raised in Yankton, SD. He graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1984 with a law degree and an MBA. John is a partner in the law firm of Nooney & Solay, LLP. His practice focuses on complex commercial litigation. He is married to Kimberly Nooney, SVP and CFO of Black Hills Corporation. They have two children: Jared and Elizabeth. John is an avid skier and spends considerable time in Colorado pursuing his passion.

John Rozell, Sioux Falls
Occupation: Retired Businessman

John’s hometown is Rapid City. He graduated with a BA in Sociology from the University of South Dakota. He also attended the University of Colorado and University of Oklahoma three-year banking courses. John and his wife, Kay, have one adult daughter, Katy. She is married to Joe Gaspar and has two sons, Drew and Alex. Hobbies include biking, fly fishing, reading and music. He serves on the Lifescape Board of Directors and the Mount Rushmore Society. John is a CHS Director Emeritus who served as President of both the Foundation and Society Boards.

Jim Schmidt, Sioux Falls
Occupation: Lincoln County Commissioner

Jim’s hometown is Lennox. He attended Augustana University, the University of South Dakota and the University of Wisconsin. Jim is a member of the South Dakota Association of Counties, National Association of County Officials and the National Association of Housing Partnerships. In addition, he serves on these boards: SDML Workers’ Compensation, Inter-lakes Community Action Programs, Southeastern Council of Government, Glory House, Sioux Falls Accessible Housing Advisory Board, Sioux Empire Leadership Council and South Dakota Economic Development Finance Authority (EDFA). Jim and his wife, Teri, have three adult children: Anthony, Brittany and Brianna. Jim’s hobbies include public speaking, farming, and golf. Jim states that it is “an honor and privilege to serve and hopefully make a difference in the lives of CHS children.”

Greg Schweiss, Rapid City
Occupation: Chief Risk Officer, Pete Lien & Sons, Inc.

Greg’s hometown is Watertown. He attended the University of South Dakota and graduated with a BS in Business Administration. Greg and his wife, Melissa, have three children: Erin, Jamie and Nathan. Greg’s hobbies include kids’ activities, hunting, fishing and outdoor activities. Greg belongs to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and South Dakota CPA Society. Other boards he serves on include Blessed Sacrament Church, Western South Dakota Catholic Foundation and Youth & Family Services.

Scott Scofield, Sioux Falls
Occupation: Owner, Scofield & Associates, LLC

SScott’s hometown is Sioux Falls. He attended the University of South Dakota and has served on the boards of Dakota State University, Great Plains Zoo, South Dakota Symphony, Ottertail Energy Services, ANZA, Inc. and The Dolphin Group. Scott also has nine grandchildren!

Chirag Shukla, Sioux Falls
Occupation: Chief Information & Technology Officer, Risk Administration Services, Inc.

Chirag graduated from South Dakota State University with an MS in Engineering. He has over 25 years of experience in IT across various sectors such as finance, insurance, manufacturing, health care, public safety and academia. He mentors young talent in Sioux Falls and worldwide through well-known sites like Udacity and StackOverflow. His connection to CHS began seven years ago when his wife served as a volunteer.

Scott Sletten, Sioux Falls
Occupation: President/CEO, JDS Industries, Inc.

Scott’s hometown is Sioux Falls. He received a BS in Business from the University of South Dakota and an MBA from Arizona State University. Scott and his wife, Ronna, have two children: Nathan and Melissa. Scott’s hobby is coin collecting. He serves on the University of South Dakota Foundation Board of Trustees as well as the University of South Dakota Beacom School of Business Dean’s advisory board.

Carolynn Stavenger, Sioux Falls
Occupation: Retired, Education

Carolynn’s hometown is Sioux Falls from the third grade on. She attended Iowa State, South Dakota State University and Augustana University where she earned a degree in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education. Carolynn and her husband, Jim, have three married children and six grandchildren who live in South Dakota and Colorado. She says, “They are the light of my life!” Carolynn enjoys bridge, mahjongg, baking, travel, wines, needlepoint, spending time with her grandchildren and relaxing at their home in the Black Hills.

Carolynn has been a CASA Advocate for 15 years and belongs to the Junior League of Sioux Falls. She has volunteered at Children’s Home Shelter for Family Safety (formerly Children’s Inn) for 19 years and continues to do this weekly. Carolynn also mentors former CASA and CHS little buddies.

Michelle Lavallee, Chief Executive Officer, Sioux Falls

Michelle’s hometown is Huron, and she continues to maintain a farm there as well as a home in Sioux Falls. Michelle and her husband, Paul, have one child, Kris, and two grandchildren, Rebecca and Deacon. Prior to assuming the CEO role at CHS, Michelle held executive level positions with Avera, University of South Dakota and Raven Industries. She earned her BS and MBA from Northwestern University in Chicago. Michelle enjoys traveling, reading, cooking, exercise and family. She is immediate Past President of the South Dakota Hall of Fame and serves on the boards of RAS and Sioux Falls Development Foundation. She is Past President of the South Dakota Symphony, Past President of Downtown Sioux Falls Rotary and Past Board Member of Ronald McDonald House, Washington Pavilion and the University of South Dakota Foundation. Michelle serves on the Advisory Council of the Beacom School of Business at the University of South Dakota.

Shannon Clark, Chief Financial Officer, Sioux Falls
Shannon grew up in Huron. She and her husband, Nathan, have two sons: “little” Nathan and Aidan. She earned an MPA from the University of South Dakota. Prior to joining the CHS team, Shannon worked for The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society doing affordable housing development for 14 years. Prior to working at Good Samaritan, Shannon worked in public accounting as an auditor for 10 years in Sioux City, IA, and Sioux Falls. Shannon enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and reading.

Deanna Larson, Brandon
Occupation: Chief Operations Officer

Deanna’s background includes years of experience in the healthcare industry. She has held executive leadership roles within rapidly-changing environments, including acute and critical care settings at Mayo and Avera McKennan, acute behavioral healthcare and community health nursing. Deanna transitioned from direct care responsibility to oversight of quality and accreditation success across the healthcare continuum as SVP of Quality at Avera where multiple licensures and accreditations for different areas of the care continuum were achieved. As leader of the innovative Avera eCARE platform for virtual care delivery to the rural and unserved populations, she experienced the necessity of support through advocacy and public policy. Deanna and her husband, Dan, live in Brandon, where they raised three children: Mandy, Kelly and Matt and are now enjoying their five grandchildren. Family camping, cribbage and card night are among her interests.

Jon Mammenga, Chief Philanthropy Officer Sioux Falls
JJon grew up in Marion and currently lives in Sioux Falls. He and his wife, Jenny, have six-year-old twins, Wilson and Sloane. Prior to joining the CHS team and Foundation, Jon worked for six and half years in various fundraising and leadership positions with the University of South Dakota Foundation. Most recently Jon spent three and a half years as the Associate Vice President for Development at Augustana University. He earned his BA and MPA from The University of South Dakota. Jon holds the Certified Fundraising Executive credential and has a Certificate in Fundraising Management from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Jon enjoys golfing, travel, time with friends and family, University of South Dakota sporting events and attending Wilson and Sloane’s many activities. Jon is a member of Sioux Falls Downtown Rotary, he is also a classroom volunteer for Junior Achievement and serves on the Resource Development Committee for Lost&Found.

Mark Niemeyer, Chief Human Resources Officer Sioux Falls

Mark’s hometown is Alvord, IA. Mark and his wife, Shannon, have two children: daughter Madison is a registered nurse at Sanford Health and son Isaac is a senior at Augustana University. Prior to assuming the CHRO role at CHS, Mark held HR and operational leadership positions with Elanco Animal Health (Eli Lilly), Novartis Animal Health, and Marsh & McClennan Agencies. He received a BA from Dordt University and a MBA from the University of Sioux Falls. He enjoys hunting, fishing, outdoor activities and travel with his family. Mark is a current board member of Pathways To Inclusive and Equitable Workplaces and is also a current member of the Sioux Falls Rotary, Sioux Empire Society of Human Resource Management, and the national Society for Human Resource Management.