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NETTIE H. MYERS
President/CEO
Nettie, a native of upstate New York, has lived in Sioux Falls, South Dakota since 1972. She has an accounting degree from Sioux Falls College and received her nursing degree from Bellevue School of Nursing in New York City. She is a CPA who managed her own accounting firm for eight years. She then merged with the accounting firm of Lafollette, Jansa, Brandt & Co. in Sioux Falls. In 1995, Governor Bill Janklow appointed her as the Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources. She served in that capacity until June of 2000 when she became President and CEO of Utility Shareholders of South Dakota. Nettie is also a commercial instrument rated pilot who, in 1979, became the first woman to win a National Aerobatic Competition. She is married to a fellow pilot and aircraft builder, Ed Ludtke, and has three grown children and 10 grandchildren.
DIANA LEE
Secretary
Diana Lee was born and raised in Colman, SD. She completed high school in Rapid City and received her Degree in Education with math and biology majors from NSU in Aberdeen. She then taught junior high science and math, and senior high math. After working with LTV in the Missiles and Space Division, Diana continued her career in the computer world with Univac and, eventually, IBM. She completed her MS in Computer Science at USD and then became co-founder of Software Unlimited, Inc. in Sioux Falls in 1979, specializing in public school accounting software. She retired in September of 1999. Both of her married children each have one daughter and live within 2 miles of Diana in Sioux Falls. Diana enjoys golf, downhill skiing, biking, exercise, dance, travel, skydiving, and spending time with her wonderful family and friends.
DAVID BRANDT
Treasurer
David Brandt was born in Estherville, Iowa. He received his BA from the University of Northern Iowa and has worked as an accountant, financial planner, and valuation analyst. David worked with McGladrey, Hansen, Dunn & Co. in Clinton, Iowa, until 1969, when he became a partner with Wohlenberg, Gage and Co. in Sioux Falls. In 1980, David became managing partner of LaFollette, Jansa, Brandt & Co. in Sioux Falls. He has served as a Board Member for the Sioux Falls School District, SD Society of CPAs, the Sioux Falls Volunteer and Information Center, Sioux Falls Literacy Council, Sioux Falls Area Jr. Achievement, and the SD affiliate of the American Diabetes Assn. He has also been involved with a number of professional organizations. David is presently treasurer of Asbury United Methodist Church. David and his wife, Ruth, have two children, Lesley and Jonathan.
RON KRAFT
Ron Kraft was born and raised in Mapleton, Iowa, and is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa. He practiced community and economic development in Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, South Dakota, and Europe. Ron was Executive Director of the Yankton Office of Economic Development from February of 1995 until January 2006. Ron has retired and resides in Yankton with his wife, Pat.
CHUCK LIEBE
Chuck Liebe attended USD in Vermillion. He was the President and CEO of Liebe Properties, Inc., which operated shoe stores and departments in a three state area until 1988. He served on the Board of Directors for the Milbank Chamber of Commerce and is a past president of the Community Development Corp. Chuck was on the Board of Directors of the Chautauqua Community Concert Association for 12 years and served 2 years as president. He was awarded the Friends of 4-H and FFA Chapter award and was named Conservationist of the Year by the Soil Conservation District. Chuck is currently a real estate broker, specializing in commercial property and dairy farms, with Liebe Properties, Inc. and is on the Board of Directors for Lutheran Social Services Foundation. He also was a Youth Sponsor and Sunday school teacher at American Lutheran Church and is involved with a number of community organizations. Chuck has three grown children. He and his wife, Ann, continue to reside in Milbank.
MIKE TRYKOSKI
Mike Trykoski was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago with a BS in Electrical Engineering. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force upon graduation. He was assigned to the 821st Communications Squadron at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota where he supervised the operation of the Base Communication Center. At the end of his Air Force assignment, Mike returned to Chicago and joined the Commonwealth Edison Company as an electrical engineer in August 1965. While at Commonwealth, Mike obtained a Masters in Business Administration degree from Loyola University in 1974. Mike joined the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) in Washington, DC from 1978 until his early retirement in October 1997. He then formed his own consulting company, Rushmore Professional Services, which specializes in technical writing on electric utility issues. Mike's primary consulting work has been for the North American Electric Reliability Council. Mike and his wife Mary relocated to Rapid City in July 1998. They have two children, David and Maria.
WARREN LOTSBERG
Warren Lotsberg was born in Chicago, IL in 1942, raised near Minneapolis, MN and spent most of his adult life in SD. After graduating from high school at Buffalo, MN, he spent a year in the US Navy. After being discharged from the Navy, he attended the University of MN. He went to work for an outdoor billboard company in 1964, and then purchased its SD operation 10 years later creating Warren Advertising. The business was liquidated in 1979 as a result of the Highway Beautification Act. Warren joined Northwestern Public Service Co. in 1980 as Manager of Consumer Affairs. For the next 20 years, Warren served as the voice and face of Northwestern. He rose to be vice president of Public Affairs. Through extensive public speaking his weekly radio program called "Perspective", was broadcast on 15 stations three times a week and Warren appeared in Northwestern television ads becoming known as "Mister Northwestern Public Service." It culminated when Warren retired from NorthWestern Energy in August 2005. Warren also had a second career that actually transcended all others. He is one of the senior and best known lobbyists in the SD state legislature. It began when his billboard business came under attack due to the federal Highway Beautification Act, and he became active in defending the industry as a lobbyist; something that continued through the years and became one of his primary responsibilities while at NorthWestern. Warren has been a lobbyist in the SD legislature for 38 years.
JOE NADENICEK
Joe Nadenicek was born and raised in Yankton, South Dakota. He received a Bachelor's degree, Juris Doctorate and Masters of Public Administration from the University of South Dakota. He has worked as a Deputy State's Attorney for Pennington County and as an Assistant Attorney General for the South Dakota Department of Revenue and Public Utilities Commission. He currently lives in Pierre and for the past sixteen years he has served as staff attorney for the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Mr. Nadenicek is a commissioner on the State Emergency Response Commission and South Dakota's commissioner to the Southwestern Low-Level Radioactive Waste Commission (AZ, CA, ND and SD). Joe was a past board member of the Pierre chapter of Habitat for Humanity and he is currently on the board of Oahe Presbyterian Church and a commissioner to the Presbytery of South Dakota. Joe enjoys reading, history, news/politics, motorcycling, gardening, guitar and music.
JULIE SMORAGIEWICZ
Julie Smoragiewicz was born in Sioux Falls, SD. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in counselor education from the University of Toledo where she served as an administrator for a decade. She returned to South Dakota in December of 1994 to continue her career at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology where she currently serves as vice president for University and Public Relations. Julie is a past board member and board president of the Allied Arts Fund Drive. She has also served on the United Way, Future Fair, and the Journey Museum boards. She is a current member of the Rapid City Chamber of Commerce and a graduate of Leadership Rapid City. She has lead strategic development initiatives for community organizations including Faith Lutheran Church and the Rapid City Racers Swim Team. Julie and her husband have two sons, Tyler and Tony. Julie’s hobbies include cooking, gardening, travel and supporting her family’s involvement in swimming, running, triathlons, music, and Destination Imagination.
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