April 2024 Elevate Magazine | Rapid City SD

APRIL 2024

Volume 5. Issue No. 03

Jade Herman

First chief of staff at Mines PG. 18

Career change for Carda PG. 14

2024 Under 40 People to know in the Black Hills

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APRIL 24 Volume 5 // Issue No. 03

23 ANDY BARTLING 14 JENNA CARDA 24 NICK DAVIS 20 ELEVATE TEAM 18 JADE HERMAN 31 TYLER HARRIS 13 KYLE LAMBERT

APRIL

inside

11 CHEYENNE MCGRIFF 11 CHRISTOPHER MCKILLOP 29 KATIE MURRAY

CONNECT

WITH US @ELEVATERAPIDCITY

30 NICHOLAS KINGSBURY 33 CALLIE MEYER 13 OLIVIA SIGLIN 15 SAEED SULAIMAN 25 KELSEY SMITH 22 KELSEY STINE 32 TIFFANY TRASK 12 CALLIE WAGNER 26 AMELIE WILCOX

Just So

23 SARAH WHITE 27 JOANNA WISEMAN

ELEVATE • APRIL 2024

Photos submitted

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“If you’re not nervous, you’re not ready.”

- Jade Herman

123 Anywhere St., Any City, ST 12345

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Elevate is a monthly publication produced by Elevate Rapid City. It is the premier business magazine for the Black Hills region telling the stories that make our area unique and vibrant.

AGE IS BUT A NUMBER

PO Box 747, Rapid City, SD 57709 605.343.1744 elevaterapidcity.com PRESIDENT & CEO Tom Johnson

The 16th-century proverb, "If youth knew; if age could," suggests a tragic disconnect—youthful energy and enthusiasm are forever lost with the passage of time, replaced by experience and wisdom.

But what if this didn’t have to be true? What if it was simply an illusion?

Imagine possessing the boundless energy and daring of youth, coupled with the knowledge gained from experience. This potent combination—raw talent with a depth of perspective—would be the proverbial cake from which we’d all take a slice.

Welcome to this issue of Elevate, our Under 40 Issue, where we try to eat that cake, one bite at a time. For us, 40 is the new 20. It’s also the new 60. We’re bold enough to combine skinny jeans with vintage sweaters, kale with shuffle boarding, and side hustles with bifocals.

ELEVATE • APRIL 2024

The “young” people you’re about to meet in this issue are making a huge difference in Rapid City and the Black Hills: in government, the private sector, and in the non-profit world. Some of them are your neighbors, some are your friends, and some are even in the next office over. Our own organization, Elevate Rapid City, has more than a handful, and we couldn’t be prouder of the impact they are having in the community.

All of them are proof you can disrupt the status quo, in a good way, at any age, without disrupting your Netflix queue or your stack of vinyl records.

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Stay safe and God-speed.

Tom Johnson, President & CEO

SENIOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & PARTNERSHIPS DIRECTOR Taylor Davis SENIOR MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Shiloh Francis SENIOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Lori Frederick SENIOR PUBLIC POLICY DIRECTOR Garth Wadsworth OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Liz Highland EVENTS & MARKETING DIRECTOR Rachel Nelson WORKFORCE & EQUITY DIRECTOR Reese Niu HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Laura Jones EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT MANAGER Alyssa Larkey INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP MANAGER Dillon Matuska ECOSYSTEM SUPPORT & PROPERTY MANAGER Loni Reichert BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Kallie Ruland INVESTOR RELATIONS MANAGER Jason Wittenberg EVENTS & MARKETING COORDINATOR Maddie Bazala DIGITAL CONTENT COORDINATOR Sydney Riendeau EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Ashley Simonson RESEARCH & DATA COORDINATOR Karissa Ellis DESIGN AND LAYOUT Bailey Sadowsky Shadow Sky Creative Co. PRINTED BY SIMPSONS PRINTING

RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA

ECONOMIC INDICATORS JANUARY 2024

MSA POPULATION 154,841

AVERAGE WEEKLY WAGES $ 962

Data as of March 15, 2024

LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATE 66.29%

EMPLOYMENT UNEMPLOYMENT RATE 2.1%

EDUCATION AND HEALTH SERVICES 12,900

LEISURE AND HOSPITALITY 9,400

PRIMARY SECTOR 14,300

ECONOMY RAPID CITY GROSS SALES $ 891,028,601

REGIONAL CONSUMER PRICE INDEX 2.7%

AIRPORT PASSENGERS 45,701

REAL ESTATE ACTIVE LISTINGS 201

PRIME RATE 8.50%

HOUSING

MSA MEDIAN LISTING PRICE $ 385,000 Month-over-month increase

NEW HOUSING PERMITS 180 Month-over-month decrease

BUILDING PERMITS 161

No Change

Monthly comparisons, industry analysis and additional economic indicators available on exclusive investor report.

RAPIDCITYBUSINESSJOURNAL.COM

333 West Boulevard Ste. 200 Rapid City, SD 57709 605.343.6161 rapidcitybusinessjournal.com

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Mark Houston

Mark Houston

PUBLIC SERVICE DIRECTOR Leslie Cline

Dean Taylor

THE CAST Leslie Cline

IT/ENGINEERING Chris Jaques

Kevin Phillips

PRODUCER Amber Clement

Summer Sones

Amy Rose Mitchell Stafford

PRODUCTION Oakley Tye

DRay Knight

PROMOTIONS Mitchell Stafford

Brandon Jones

WEBSITE DESIGN Ricky Clark Jr

Oakley Tye Gary Matthews Francie Ganje

DATA MANAGEMENT Hannah Masters

Another HomeSlice Audio

OPERATIONS Maryanne Whittle

Production TheHomeSliceGroup.com

elevaterapidcity.com

Rapid City Business Journal is a weekly show and a business news website produced by Elevate Rapid City and The HomeSlice Group. We strive to produce daily and weekly business news supporting Rapid City, The Black Hills, and South Dakota.

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events

4 April

APRIL

CRITICAL ISSUES LUNCHEON | CHILDCARE The Rushmore Hotel & Suites elevaterapidcity.com/events

6 April

YFS KIDS FAIR The Monument themonument.live/events

6 April BHCT’s Well Done Players: On the Verge Historic Theater performingartsrc.org/events

6 April Black Hills Farmers Market

245 E Omaha St. blackhillsfarmersmarket.org

6 April STEAM Weekend

The Journey Museum visitrapidcity.com/event

13 April

Breaking Benjamin with special guests Daughtry and Catch Your Breath The Monument themonument.live/events

13 April STEAM Weekend STEAM Weekend

ELEVATE • APRIL 2024

The Journey Museum visitrapidcity.com/event

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13 April Black Hills Farmers Market

245 E Omaha St. blackhillsfarmersmarket.org

13 April Wrangler Team Roping

James Kjerstad Event Center centralstatesfair.com

17 April Shen Yun - Premier classical Chinese dance company The Monument themonument.live/events

20 April Spring Annual Black Hills Indian Artist Market Dahl Arts Center rapidcityartscouncil.org/events

20 April ESPN Knockout

Deadwood Mountain Grand deadwoodmountaingrand.com/event

20 April Tracy Bryd at the Loud American

Loud American loudamericanroadhouse.ticketspice.com

20 April National Park Free Entrance Days visitrapidcity.com/event

20 April Kountry Junkin’ Spring Market The Monument themonument.live/events

20 April Black Hills Farmers Market 245 E Omaha St. blackhillsfarmersmarket.org

20 April STEAM Weekend

The Journey Museum visitrapidcity.com/event

20 April Jennifer Lyn & The Groove Revival for “The British Invasion – A Tribute to the Beatles, Stones, Zeppelin, and Beyond” Historic Theater performingartsrc.org/events

25 April Brantley Gilbert with special guests Dylan Marlowe, Struggle Jennings, and Demun Jones The Monument themonument.live/events

27 April Candlelight: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons & More hosted by Fever 27 April Black Hills Farmers Market 245 E Omaha St. blackhillsfarmersmarket.org

27 April STEAM Weekend

The Journey Museum visitrapidcity.com/event ELEVATERAPIDCITY.COM/EVENTS

elevaterapidcity.com

Historic Theater performingartsrc.org/events

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b l a c k

20 24 under

ELEVATE • APRIL 2024

People to know

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h i l l s

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Dakota State UniverSity applieD reSearch lab Sioux FallS, SD Coming Summer 2026

F R E E ELECTRONICS RECYCLING! Sponsored by:

Part of the

family

ELEVATE • APRIL 2024

10am - 3pm

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WESTERN DAKOTA TECHNICAL COLLEGE | 800 MICKELSON DRIVE

Christopher

32 Project manager | HDR Engineering, Inc.

M killop c

Acting as a Project Manager since joining HDR in Rapid City, Chris immediately started acquiring additional responsibilities both in the workplace and the Black Hills community. In the Power Delivery department, Chris developed a new power delivery team while establishing business relationships with local clients and engaging with local universities. Over the last 18 months, Chris has created a team of four engineers and two drafters while increasing business opportunities with local clients.

vision

I want to see the power delivery industry continue to upgrade its infrastructure to provide electrical services which are more reliable, safer for the community it serves, and better for the environment than past designs.

Motocross and riding dirt bikes/mountain bikes through the Black Hills trail system with my wife.

Cheyenne

29 Real Estate Broker Associate | Re/max Results

Advice

Patience with regard to your career development. Do not expect perfection from yourself, but always demand some level of improvement. Developing a level of emotional intelligence higher than your peers will get you further in your career than experience and hard work.

M griff c

Cheyenne McGriff is a tireless advocate for the benefits of living in the Black Hills. As a real estate agent, she does more than sell homes. “Beyond facilitating home purchases, I aid families in creating lives in Rapid City,” she explained. “I connect them to the community where they'll raise families and contribute to growth.

I assist sellers in investing wisely, fostering community prosperity.”

Inspiration

Advice I would advise those aspiring to become a real estate agent to prioritize hard work, client care, and attention to detail. Real

estate is a challenging industry, as it involves facilitating what often constitutes the most significant financial transaction for buyers and sellers. This is a big deal! Remaining well-informed, actively engaging with local associations, and consistently striving to represent clients with excellence are vital to success.

elevaterapidcity.com

The most inspiring aspect of my professional journey is undoubtedly my clients. I've had the privilege of working with first-time home buyers who initially doubted their ability to own a home. Witnessing their dedication, perseverance, and eventual success in realizing their homeownership dreams is truly gratifying. I love watching them transform a house into a home, as they grow their families and make the Rapid City area their community.

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In my role as Vice President of Marketing at Security First Bank, I oversee marketing strategies across multiple locations, driving brand awareness and engagement. I continuously pursue educational achievements, including graduation from Bank Marketing School and Leadership Spearfish. Beyond my professional endeavors, I actively participate in the Zonta Club of Spearfish and the Monument Health Hospice Ball planning committee. I am fortunate to work in an industry where community volunteerism and philanthropy are highly encouraged and fostered.

Callie Wagner 35 Vice President of Marketing | Security First Bank

ELEVATE • APRIL 2024

Advice

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My advice for someone starting out in marketing is consider all your options - even the ones that don't seem like an obvious fit.

I never dreamed I would work at a bank, but have found this environment to be extremely rewarding and aligns with my personal values. My second piece of advice is never stop learning! Take on additional courses or volunteering, you'll be surprised you pick up along the way.

passion I love that I can be creative in a space that is often not associated with creativeness. As someone coming from a background of design and photography, I never imagined I'd find my calling at a bank, but here I am! Financial marketing has become a part of me and I enjoy the fast-paced, unpredictable environment - every day is different!

Inspiration I would have to credit my boss and mentor, Marnie Herrmann. Marnie is a strong community leader in Rapid City, who I admire her strength and determination - especially as a woman in business.

She has always treated me as a counterpart, even in my role as a marketing assistant, and always made it a priority to provide me with the tools and encouragement to achieve more.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending my time with my husband and our two, young sons. You can often find us attending community events, camping in the summer, and in my own free time I enjoy decorating and home improvement projects.

O l iv i a s i g l i n

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Senior Deputy State's Attorney/Law Enforcement Liaison | Pennington County State's Attorney's Office

Olivia Siglin doesn’t worry so much about making headlines with her work. It’s all about making a difference in Pennington County. “I have the privilege of advocating for crime victims and doing my best to make our community a better and safer place to live every day,” she described. In 2023, Olivia tried seven felony cases (the second-highest trial number in the State’s Attorney’s office). She received guilty verdicts in six of the seven cases, and received the Prosecutor of the Year award.

In 2022, Olivia was chosen as the office’s law enforcement liaison, focusing on building and maintaining positive working relationships with law enforcement agencies, facilitating training opportunities, and providing special attention to high-priority cases and community safety issues.

Advice Your reputation and credibility is everything as an attorney.

There's no case worth risking your bar license or your values for. Do the right thing, even when it's hard.

Ky l e L a m b e r t 36 Chief Financial and Operating Officer | A&B Business Solutions

Three years ago, Kyle Lambert joined the A&B Business Solutions team. Through his leadership, A&B Business Solutions and its subsidiaries achieved a record year in 2023. Most recently, he helped facilitate the acquisition of Robert Sharp and Associates in Rapid City. When he’s not leading, Kyle serves as a Junior Achievement Champion for the Rapid City area – finding and encouraging others to teach Junior Achievement classes. He also oversees the A&B Give Back Program that helps employees in need.

The owner of A&B Business Solutions, Dennis Aanenson, taught me personal development is the key to great success. He gave me the professional opportunity of a lifetime and provided me the resources to better myself personally and professionally. Once I tapped my true potential, I have made it my life’s mission to help others find success.

Advice

If you are given the opportunity to train or work on a different project, take it. The only way to get stronger is to learn or do new things. Everyone worries about the money you are going to make but really, they should be worrying about the experience they are gaining. High paying careers are offered to experienced individuals.

elevaterapidcity.com

Inspiration

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Visit Us Online

READY TO GROW ELEVATE • APRIL 2024

Behind every business and bold move were those who believed it was possible to do more.

We’re proud to support and energize our community’s dreams.

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See how we’re helping the places we serve do more. ©785850_24

MEET OUR

HOMIES NOT IN THEIR 40s.

At the HomeSlice Group, having fresh perspectives and innovative ideas is essential to our creative environment. The energy and enthusiasm this group brings inspires our entire team to think outside the box and embrace new approaches.

605.343.6161 605.347.5336 TheHomeSliceGroup.com

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333 West Boulevard • Suite 200 • Rapid City 1612 Junction Ave. • Suite 4 • Sturgis

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Jade Herman’s ultimate goal is to make a positive impact and help others become the best versions of themselves. She is the first-ever Chief of Staff at SD Mines who believes in the importance of strategic leadership, community service, and lifelong learning. “As a first-generation college student who grew up on the Rosebud Reservation, I strive to pave a path for others coming behind me,” she said. She is also the only Native American on the executive leadership team from Mines, something that as given her “opportunities to lead transformative initiatives.”

ELEVATE • APRIL 2024

Jade 1616

Outside of work, Herman serves in several volunteer capacities but her role on the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation board is one she holds closest to her heart. “My great-grandfather was one of the Lakota elders who attended the original dedication of the monument and is featured in several photographs in the museum. Fast forward almost 76 years later—I am now in my third year serving on this board and was elected secretary and co-chair of the museum and cultural affairs committee last fall. I consider it an honor to be a part of the organization’s continuing mission to protect and preserve the culture, traditions, and living heritage of North American Indians, and hope to continue doing so for years to come.”

Herman

38 Chief of Staff | South Dakota Mines

I have had several sources of inspiration throughout my professional journey. First, my mom—she worked for legal services for many years while I was growing up and later the ran the State Bar’s pro bono program. She taught me the importance of compassion and service to others. Second, each of the presidents I have worked for here at Mines have taught me so many lessons about leadership. I’ve been fortunate to have their great examples to learn from. And third, our students—as a proud Mines alumna and current staff member, I get a front row seat to watch our students grow into the future leaders in the STEM fields. They will each positively impact their industries and our society throughout their careers, and its very exciting to witness their journeys.

Share your vision for the future of your industry?

STEM degrees provide students with solid foundations for building successful careers and gives them the ability to make positive impacts in the world. At Mines, our vision is to develop world-class leaders in science and engineering to benefit society. Although we are in an era where the value of higher education is being questioned, I believe the need for having exceptionally qualified STEM graduates will remain high. I see the need for leadership development that complements their technical skills. Our challenge is to help mold students into well-rounded professionals with solid technical skills who contribute to their communities and their industries in meaningful ways, and can work effectively with diverse, global teams. I also see the need for diversifying our student body and the workforce in the STEM fields.

I will continue being an advocate for underrepresented people who have the desire to pursue a career in STEM.

If you could give advice to someone just starting in your career, what would you say?

Be open to things you never thought were possible and embrace the chaos that often comes with great periods of growth. Find mentors everywhere you go and don’t forget to thank them for their support and guidance. Use negative things that are said by people who doubt you as fuel to succeed. Lastly, as my high school golf coach told me many times, “If you’re not nervous, you’re not ready.”

What about Rapid City keeps you here?

I have now lived in Rapid City longer than I lived in my hometown, Mission. I have family here in Rapid and am only a few hours away from home. There is so much to do in the beautiful Black Hills and I have grown to love the community organizations I am involved with.

Ultimately, South Dakota Mines is both what brought me to and what keeps me here. As a sixth-grade student attending the regional science fair on the Mines campus, I knew that’s where I wanted to go to college. After earning my bachelor’s degree from Mines and my master’s from USD, I was hired for a position in public relations at Mines. I initially thought I would stay for two years then move on to the non-profit sector like my mom. Well, 12.5 years, six positions, and a doctorate later, I’m still at Mines. I have been very fortunate to have worked for people who continue to challenge me and help me grow. Now, I can’t imagine working anywhere else. As if the rewarding career isn’t enough, I’ve met some pretty amazing people at Mines who became best friends, mentors, supporters, or colleagues.

They’ve become my second family and Mines is certainly my second home. • elevaterapidcity.com

Who or what inspires you most in your professional journey & why?

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ELEVATE • APRIL 2024

ELEVATE

UNDER 40

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Elevate Rapid City boasts a team of 14 staff members under 40, many of whom hold leadership positions within the organization while actively contributing to the local community through their involvement in various boards and organizations.

Pictured from left to right, Standing:

GARTH WADSWORTH, 30 Senior Public Policy Director SYDNEY RIENDEAU, 29 Content Manager

ALYSSA LARKEY, 35 Employer Engagement Manager KARISSA ELLIS, 25 Research and Data Coordinator KALLIE RULAND, 26 Business Development Manager DILLON MATUSKA, 27 Innovation & Entrepreneurship Manager LIZ HIGHLAND, 28 Operations Director Seated:

LAURA JONES, 38 Housing & Community Development Manager TAYLOR DAVIS, 30 Senior Director of Community Development & Partnerships MADDIE BAZALA, 22 Event & Marketing Coordinator ASHLEY SIMONSON, 33 Executive Administrative Assistant SHILOH FRANCIS, 33 Senior Marketing & Communications Director Not pictured:

REESE NIU, 35 Workforce Readiness & Equity Director RACHEL NELSON, 30 Events & Marketing Director

elevaterapidcity.com

As part of a new generation of young professionals and community leaders, these 14 individuals at Elevate Rapid City are committed to driving positive change and fostering the growth and prosperity of Rapid City and its surrounding areas.

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Amelie

Wilcox

18 Founder rocke grace foundation

Customer

Opportunity at a time

ELEVATE • APRIL 2024

We are more than tires, we are your full-service auto repair shop!

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2223 Jackson Blvd. • Rapid City

605-342-1876

BlackHillsTire.com

vision My future vision is to “See the Invisible.”

I want to help people who are not seen whether it be from illnesses like Autoimmune Disease or young girls who aren’t sure of themselves. I have spent all of high school creating fundraisers, volunteering, playing music, becoming a licensed practical nurse and a high school graduate. I will use all of these things to continue blending music and medicine and growing my cause across the nation.

Amelie Wilcox is a young power-house upand-comer in Rapid City. In addition to establishing The Rocke Grace Foundation for Music and Medicine she is a touring bass player in The RathCo, Miss Rapid City’s Teen ‘23-24, and the first student to graduate from Central High School and Western Dakota Tech simultaneously as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She has raised and donated over $15,000 for Autoimmune Disease Awareness and given $11,000 to Monument Health.

Murphy's Pub

favorite

When she’s not helping attract new talent to the Black Hills, Joanna Wiseman is involved in various ways throughout the Rapid City & Black Hills Community. She graduated from JTVF Emerging Leaders, Lean Yellow Belt, and Jr. Leadership Rapid City. Additionally she has served in volunteer roles for organizations such as: Day of Excellence, Suzie Cappa Arts Center, Black Hills Works, United Way, Community Clean Up Day, Feeding South Dakota and more. “I am proud of the work I do. I am proud of the place I live,” she said. “I am proud to be a Rapid City Local and see our City grow!”

Joanna wiseman 29 Talent Acquisition & Marketing Specialist | Monument Health

I find inspiration from health care workers and those who care for & support other people. Those who pour their hearts into their work, showing compassion and selflessness in the toughest situations, it's something else. Seeing others go above and beyond to improve and save lives is a constant reminder of the difference one person can make.

vision

passion I love that my work is creative, strategic, and helpful! Though I don't work directly with the patients we serve, my work plays a part in finding and supporting those who do! Every day is a learning opportunity and I get to work with incredible people who make a difference.

Home Rapid City & the Black Hills keep me here because of the people, the location, and the overall synergy. I live in a small town with big opportunities and kind people. As Rapid City continues to grow, I believe the people will keep the spirit of the Black Hills alive and excel our communities forward in a positive direction.

I hope the future of Health Care can "grow its own" and continue to help saving & impacting lives for the better. So many were devastated by the events of 2020. There is a shortage of health care workers nationally & I wish to contribute to helping solve that challenge by sharing how health care helps so many and is an incredible career path.

My role is to support Monument Health Talent Acquisition by effectively marketing & advertising open positions and explain why Monument Health is a great place to work. A hospital is essentially its own town, and the careers vary from nursing & patient care to electrical & food service to lab & diagnostics and so many more! Though I am not called to work the front line, I hope to inspire those just starting a career to consider health care and remind those deep into their professional career, it’s never too late to start again or try something new.

elevaterapidcity.com

Inspiration

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If you were to ask Kelsey Stine, her purpose, she would say it “is to improve people’s lives.” She does this by supporting organizations in expanding their missions with intention, advocating for equitable opportunities for people with disabilities, and helping people reach their full potential through personal development.

“Growing two businesses over the past five years has taught me that true success comes by serving others—and I’m just getting started.” Through her marketing agency, Vela Creative Co., Kelsey works with small businesses and nonprofits to help them expand their purpose. Through Accessible Black Hills, she showcases and promotes local businesses while providing information for people with disabilities to visit with confidence.

inspiration What inspires me the most is when people

Kelsey

Stine 32

Founder & CEO | Vela Creative Co. / Accessible Black Hills

ELEVATE • APRIL 2024

What keeps you here?

Rapid City and the Black Hills are beautiful places to

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be; that is a fact. But what really keeps me here are the people. I was born in Rapid City and have lived here–my whole life. The people in this community truly care about each other, and I see it every day. My passion for making other people’s lives better has formed because I have had my own life made better, right here, in this community, with support from the community.

find the best version of themselves and live authentically every day. People who have done the self-work, and gained the confidence to show up every day in congruence with their best self. People who don’t let ego or imposter syndrome get in the way and who cultivate fulfillment in all areas of their lives. These people, to me, are unstoppable and have the power to make incredibly positive impacts.

Vision My vision for the future of my industry is

more inclusivity, both online and offline.

For people to have the ability to live their best lives, they deserve equitable opportunities to engage in their communities and society. I will contribute to the future of my industry by advocating for people with disabilities and creating education opportunities for everyone to learn more about what it means to live in an equitable society. In marketing, this looks like accessible websites, social media, materials, and representation in imagery. In environment, this is the ability to fully engage in the space, whether that is access to a building through a ramp, or appropriate lighting for those with low vision. Many advancements are being made, and I want to be a part of seeing these changes become a reality.

a n dy b a rt l i n g 38 Financial representative | Modern Woodmen of America

Andy Bartling built his financial services practice from the ground up starting right out of college. Today, his practice is in the top 10% of the industry. “Along the way, I have taken every opportunity to give back to my community as well as my industry through a variety of volunteerism. I take to heart the saying that community service is the rent we pay for the space that we occupy within our community.”

vision I believe in the saying that you can do well for yourself by doing what is

right for others. In my industry we have the incredible opportunity to change people’s lives. We can help provide generations with financial security, peace of mind, and dignity. We get to protect families with insurance, help our clients save funds to put their loved ones through college, and help to ensure that they can have the retirement that they have always dreamed of. Our industry has a noble calling, and it is incumbent upon us to use the opportunity that we are given to serve our clients and our communities. But our industry is under constant attack from overreaching and burdensome rules and regulations. In order to continue to allow insurance agents and financial advisors to continue to take care of their clients we need to push back on the overreach.

I am very involved in multiple industry organizations where we first advocate for what is best for our clients and secondarily what is best for our industry. I want to help make certain that my industry is able to continue to serve our clients far into the future.

Sarah w h i t e

36 Founder & executive director | South Dakota Education Equity Coalition

Sarah White’s personal leadership philosophy is grounded in the wisdom shared by Shawnee Chief Tecumseh, who said, "love your life, perfect your life, and beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people." Her professional track record demonstrates what she describes as a “constructively critical commitment” to developing and catalyzing solutions to address the inequity in our community, and across our state.

Thai Thai or El Sombrero

favorite

elevaterapidcity.com

Inspiration

I have been awe-inspired by the generations of women who have influenced my professional path. I have been on a journey of rematriating leadership through the wisdom of women and matriarchs ranging from the posthumous influences of my grandmothers, to the loving encouragement and accountability of my mom, sisters, aunties, friends, colleagues, and mentors. Most of all, I am constantly inspired by the younger generations whose wisdom grounds and guides my daily work. I commit to always learn and grow from their leadership, influence and collaboration.

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Our team believes design is for people.

That’s why we’ve developed a highly collaborative process that engages all key stakeholders and leads to a clear understanding of the problems to be solved.

DISCOVER YOUR PLACE

ELEVATE • APRIL 2024

sdsmt.edu

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T E A M T S P • C O M /A B O U T

3 In 2014, Katie Murray started with an entry-level role for Senator Mike Rounds.

Ten years later, she is now a senior leader on Representative Dusty Johnson’s team, managing his West River office and activities. “I’ve gotten to meet so many people who have encouraged, mentored, and inspired me,” she said. “Every day I get to help people, I get to learn something new, I get to live in the Black Hills but engage in national politics. I really get to have the best of both worlds.”

Katie murray 32 West River Director | US Representative Dusty Johnson

passion

Politics shouldn’t be as toxic as it is. I have always been especially engaged with those in my life who work hard, love their family, love their country but feel like politics is too scary to participate in, too much work to follow properly and don’t want to even vote because “what’s the point?”Mother Teresa said, “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one.” Which I take in my professional life to mean when you see this huge mess of national (or local) politics, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and like you can’t make a difference and disengage.

I don’t have feel like it's my job to change national politics, it’s enough to just change and inspire my circle.

Advice

I love that every day is different but with the same mission of serving South Dakotan's. Sometimes it is helping someone get the tax return they have been waiting for three years, sometimes it is helping a veteran get an appointment or helping getting a passport. Other times it is scheduling community meetings for Dusty and getting to tour great local businesses and meet the best people with him, all while trying to keep him on time, coordinate media, take notes and take photos. It is so much fun, and even better, I get to work with an amazing team.

Your boss/manager/coworkers matter more than the actual job description. You spend a lot of time at work and if you don’t like the people there, it’ll be very hard to enjoy the tasks you are doing.

elevaterapidcity.com

vision

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jenna

carda

Design Assistant & 32 Interior Operations Specialist | At Home Design Jenna Carda is a self-described jack-of-all-trades. Prior to a career change last year, Jenna spent more than 10 years in marketing. “I'm best when I'm helping people, promoting community engagement, and getting to be creative.” She is well-connected to many in tourism and always happy to brainstorm fun events or promotional ideas to bring others to the area. “It's important to me to support small businesses whenever I can.” In a volunteer capacity, Jenna has dedicated countless hours to rebuilding the Black Hills chapter of the American Advertising Federation.

She’s been a local board member for 7 years and now serves on the district board where she represents western South Dakota across 4 states.

Home

ELEVATE • APRIL 2024

I've lived in Rapid City for 10+ years now, and although my initial plan was to leave after a couple of years – I stay because it's consistently changing. The area is growing, becoming a vibrant destination, and I truly love how beautiful it is here with a mix of "urban" and rural areas.

26 26

advice

vision

Connections are invaluable.

Getting out of your comfort zone and taking opportunities as they arise will open more doors than you can ever imagine.

passion

I love the creativity my work brings - both in interior design and marketing.

And, I get to help others reach their goals. It's a winwin.

I enjoy operations and that is the reason why I've hopped industries/professions in the last year. From a RIF in March of 2023 to working for myself and multiple others, breaking into the building world through Interior Design is both exciting and a great challenge. I'm consistently continuing my education in marketing, as well. I still freelance for multiple organizations throughout the Hills.

Tally's & Bashful Bison

favorite

South Dakota's financial literacy is one of the lowest in the country. A big part of Saeed Sulaiman’s mission is to help change that. “I believe strongly in incremental steps to help build up our community on a personal and financial level. When you love what you do and you love the people you do it with, you are very blessed,” he said. “So I'm glad that I can be part of the growth of our community.” One of the ways Saeed works towards that mission is through Financial Education. He teaches financial concept classes in middle school classes, home school co-ops and even church or other organizations. “I learned years ago that everyone has something they're gifted with, I try to lean into that gift to help out our community.

Especially young people who are often the most neglected in terms of financial health.”

I want to help people grow and learn about themselves and take control of their future.

If you don't make the choice, a choice will be made for you by someone else. I want to help encourage them to be intentional and make it for themselves.

I think the industry will change. But there will always be a human element. I hope that I can provide guidance to anyone who seeks help.

saeed

advice

Dig. Ask the uncomfortable questions. Whether to perspective employers or clients. When starting in a career people can be very timid and worried about what people think or their answer. If I had asked more and harder questions my path would have been much less challenging along the way.

Fun I've become an ancient coin collector recently, that has

really opened my eyes to the past and become an enjoyable hobby for me. I have 3 young kids so I spend a lot of time with them.

I also enjoy playing guitar and eating ice cream!

sulaiman

33 Owner-Financial Advisor | Shield Financial

elevaterapidcity.com

vision

Honestly I would have thought financial planning would turn all AI or roboadvisor. I've been surprised by how many young people still want human connection and help with their specific financial issues.

Sometimes it has little to do with finance and numbers and a lot more to do with people's personal struggles or the paradigm they come from growing up.

27

Nick Davis is a dedicated insurance agent in Rapid City committed to helping reshape his ever-changing industry. With a focus on innovation, he modernized client experiences to streamline processes and enhance customer satisfaction while keeping the personal relationships clients deserve. He stated, “I'm passionate about making insurance accessible and understandable for the next generation.”

Prior to purchasing the insurance agency, Nick spent 11 years working for the Rapid City Police Department. For 11 years he worked closely with various groups to solve community-based problems. While at the RCPD he was awarded 3 Life Saving Awards, Meritorious Service Medal, Exemplary Conduct Medal, and the Noon Optimist Club Respect for Law Enforcement Award.

Advice Keep your head up! This is an ev-

er-changing industry and there are many unknowns in front of you, but you'll make it through this with determination and resilience.

vision The insurance industry is in one the big-

gest changes in its existence. Some might even call it an industry identity crisis.

In the future, the insurance industry is poised for changes driven by technological advancements. Insurance agents will play a crucial role in this evolution by embracing and leveraging cutting-edge technologies to enhance customer experience, streamline processes, and mitigate risks more effectively. Insurance agents will continue to be trusted advisors, utilizing their expertise to guide clients through the complexities of an ever-changing risk landscape. Continuous learning and adaptability will be paramount for agents to stay ahead in a dynamic industry. Overall, the future of insurance lies in a blend of human expertise and technological innovation, where insurance agents serve as the bridge between advancing technologies and personalized, client-focused service.

ELEVATE • APRIL 2024

Nick

28

davis

| Davis & Associates, LLC 39 President American Family Insurance

Armadillo's Ice Cream

favorite

Kelsey

Smith 36

Director of Development and Grants Management}| Black Hills Special Services Cooperative

In her role, Kelsey Smith works to develop partnerships, make connections, and pursue opportunities that help organizations and individuals reach their full potential. “I love South Dakota and there is no place better than the Black Hills. Opportunities to learn about the region and network are incredibly valuable.” fessional journey. She is a talented professional with strong leadership and communication skills. That's impressive, but several people are impressive. Pam has found a way to balance passion and caring for her employees with accountability and a strong work ethic. She shows appreciation better than anyone I know, whether it's a hand-written note, a quick email, or a thoughtful gift.

Vision Black Hills Special Service Cooperative is a unique

organization. We are classified as a public school district (a local educational agency, or LEA) but we have five unique divisions which cover health and human services, education and workforce development, training and professional development for K-12 educators and school leaders, others services for schools including family engagement and data support, and developmental disabilities. Each division has a somewhat unique future, but in general I see BHSSC continuing to play a role in fulfilling unmet needs in the region. My contribution will continue to come from relationships and funding opportunities.

Que Pasa

favorite

Passion I love that we do work that is mean-

ingful and I appreciate the variety I get in my job. Right now, I'm working on a grant to offer free afterschool and summer programming to students in North Rapid, and I'm also working with the Department of Health to improve the state's newborn screening program. I also appreciate how BHSSC values professional development and other learning opportunities. Finally, it's refreshing to work at a place that feels like a family, and cares about the personal side of our lives, too.

elevaterapidcity.com

inspiration My boss, Dr. Pam Lange, inspires me daily in my pro-

29

When Nicholas Kingsbury first graduated from the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, he thought he had to leave Rapid City to find the job he was looking for.

After five years working for Caterpillar, he had the opportunity to return to Rapid City to work for Phase Technologies. In that time he has played a pivotal role in growing the company. What once was 14 employees in a 10,000-square-foot facility now employs more than 160 people in a 225,000-square-foot headquarters.

His passion for improving STEM opportunities in the community continues to drive him.

He speaks at “Engineers Make Great Entrepreneurs” to share about running a company.

He also volunteers his time to teach electricians and engineers about power electronics to give opportunities for continuing education credits.

passion

As Phase Technologies has grown over the years, I love seeing what a lean, driven company can do.

We are designing better products in a year than our competitors are churning out in a decade.

Nicholas

Kingsbury 39 CEO | Phase Technologies

ELEVATE • APRIL 2024

Advice

30 30

Stay uncomfortable. If you are willing to do all the hard things that few others are, you will succeed at levels you could never imagine. Also, don't chase money. If you do the right things the money will come. I took a 50% pay cut to leave Caterpillar. Best decision I ever made.

Inspiration Coming from a smaller city and seeing so few opportunities for engineers in Rapid City when I graduated from the School of Mines was disheartening. Then seeing many companies that started to really grow and make an impact sell out and move on from the town made it seem as though Rapid City just couldn't get a foothold in the manufacturing sector. So as Phase Technologies began to grow rapidly, and I was able to influence more of that path. It became clear that the great team we had built at this company had the capability to influence the path that manufacturing would play in Rapid City. We don't want to be a small to mid-size company in Rapid, we want to compete on a global scale and win. We want to show that manufacturing cannot only succeed in the US, but in Rapid City and win.

Tyler h a r r i s 26 Marketing Manager | Hotel Alex Johnson / Liv Hospitality

Tyler Harris was grown and raised in Rapid City. Throughout his life he has developed an affinity for “the very community that shaped me into the person [he is] today.” In a community-facing role at the historic Hotel Alex Johnson, he has the unparalleled opportunity to steer the next generation of historic hospitality in Downtown Rapid - overseeing a living legend and its outreach in the community – bringing a zest to the table like no other.

favorite thing

Hiking, without a doubt! I am my bestself when cruising the trails around the Black Hills with my friends and family. As someone who once left the beauty of the Hills to go to college, I now make sure to take advantage of every moment I have with the surrounding beautiful scenery.

Advice

Embrace your essence! I feel like young professionals are often apprehensive to embrace their essence/zest/personality when surrounded by professionals who have years more of experience on top of them - a one-way ticket to impostor syndrome! Be you, do you, and be your best self and life will carry you on the course you're meant to take!

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31

Tiffany Trask is a small-town ranch girl with big dreams. She believes it’s important to inspire others like her to know those big dreams can be achieved in South Dakota and hopes they see even a small glimmer of the potential future through her. “I want [them] to know that with persistence and grit, compassion and passion, and a genuine belief that we can be the top of our chosen career field, even in our small and rural state, we can have an incredible and lasting impact on the lives of those in our community.”

tiffany trask 36

ELEVATE • APRIL 2024

c0-owner | Dakota speech and Swallow Center

32

Inspiration

Passion

vision

The further I get down the line of being a small, local business owner, the more I am inspired by anyone who ever started a small business and made it stick. People often see the two extremes of owning a business: the great success of it, or the failed closing of it. They rarely get to see the elements that go into making it a success from the ground up; the continual grind, hours logged, personal resources given, failures, great joys, parts of a life put on hold, heartbreaks, worry, and absolute pride that goes into it all.

Being able to positively affect another human's life trajectory has to be the greatest work there is. Knowing that someone is going to live a fuller life because they can communicate, connect and engage with others, breathe with ease, express them self, and eat and drink without difficulty is a gift.

The industry of speech-language pathology is one of the least understood and most under appreciated, but fastest growing in the US. There are many services that are readily available to patients elsewhere but aren’t even offered anywhere in our state.

We will continue to increase access and awareness by being the ones to boldly jump in and bring these services here, utilizing our team of highly trained specialists who can guide patients of all ages.

Advice

Never stifle your curiosity and always question the status quo. It's the starting point for learning, connecting, challenging, solidifying, and growing.

Independent Ale House, Harriet & Oak, Tally's

favorite

Callie Meyer has a passion for downtown Rapid City. She cares deeply and puts in the work each day to develop and maintain a vibrant place to be. “I want people to be excited (and proud) about the incredible things already happening down here,” she said. “And I want them to have faith in where we can go next.” She joined the Downtown team only one year ago, April 2023. In that time that the organization as already seen increased attendance in annual events such as the Pumpkin Festival and Restaurant Week. One of her most memorable events so far has been the All-Ability skate events at the ice rink. “I am a firm believer that Main Street Square was built for everyone in this community so being able to ensure we have equitable opportunities for experiencing things, like ice skating, is deeply important to me,” Meyer shared.

Callie meyer 30 Executive director | downtown Rapid City/Main Street Square

There are two things I wish I had learned sooner: 1. Always assume someone's actions are coming from a place of positive intent before responding to a situation you might perceive as tense.

You're going to save yourself a lot of headaches (and avoid having to eat crow) by looking at a situation from different perspectives before reacting.

2. Feedback is a gift. It can be uncomfortable to hear constructive criticism about yourself but you're never going to grow unless you're willing to hear it and then, most importantly, act upon it. If someone is giving you feedback it's because they care (you should also give feedback if you care) so don't become defensive, be thankful.

vision People are collectively starting to feel how important a thriving (and cool) downtown is to a community. The wonderful thing about a city's downtown is that you’re never going to replicate the experience you have there anywhere else. The charm and joy is always unique to that downtown. As we look to the future, I envision a world in which there are more people living downtown, more businesses, and more quality of life experiences for the community to participate in. There isn’t going to be one singular thing that is going to “make” downtown, it’s going to be a lot of different initiatives and some of them are going to take time and I want to be there for the journey, telling the story of how this is the best place to be.

My husband is from Rapid City and we were long distance for the first year of our relationship while I lived in Sioux Falls. When it came time to decide who would move where, it was a no-brainer that Rapid City was the right place for us to build our lives.

We have such a great group of friends here and I will never not be in awe of the Black Hills. My life here feels very full.

elevaterapidcity.com

Advice

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YOU’RE ONLY AS OLD AS YOU FEEL

The FMR Clinic has same day appointments, and assists in scheduling consultations with specialty physicians should you need them. Family Medicine Residents also provide continuity of care, seeing their patients in the hospital setting, should you ever be admitted.

FMR also offers outpatient counseling services, a Community Closet and Food Pantry on site, striving to meet the needs of the whole patient.

FMR accepts most insurance, including Medicare.

“

Great people! From the ladies at the front desk to the nurse and Dr. So happy to have found such a great team. Thank you!

“

The Family Medicine Residency (FMR) Clinic in Rapid City is staffed by resident doctors who specialize in family medicine. Working closely with experienced family medicine physicians, an in-house laboratory and imaging services, it is a one stop shop for your health care needs.

To schedule an appointment, call: 605-755-4060 Family Medicine Residency Clinic 502 East Monroe St., Rapid City

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