Jeff Scherschligt
Business Sioux Falls, SD
Jeffry J. Scherschligt was born November 17, 1955, to Lester and Arlette Scherschligt in Sioux Falls. As a child, his working father provided lessons in hard work, business acumen and giving back, while his mother added zest for life in the family’s “Beaver Cleaver” style neighborhood. His early years provided inspiration to work harder when he was cut after tryouts for the Junior Bantam baseball team, and a passion for hunting and conservation was influenced by his father, leading to a deep love for parks and the environment. A “soso” student, Jeff was challenged and motivated by his high school English teacher, Joyce Lauer, and attended the College of Insurance at St. John’s University of New York. Before leaving for college, Jeff made an epic move of “bold pig-headedness,” as he broke a record time running naked across the Sioux Falls Arena. His first lesson in philanthropy followed, as he had to donate all proceeds raised from his streaking to charity.
profitability, and the mantra “Client is King,” Jeff and numerous partners and a passionate and committed team grew Howalt from a solid base to a regional leader in its field. The firm solidified its reputation for professionalism, friendliness and a workplace culture of teamwork and giving back to the community.
Under Jeff ’s leadership, he and Howalt+McDowell achieved a broad range of industry and community recognitions during the 1990s and 2000s including: Jeff returned for a semester of college at Augustana 1996 - Sioux Empire United Way Campaign Chair, 1997 in Sioux Falls and met his future wife, Katie Williams. - Great Bear Recreation Park Chamber Drive Co-Chair, They experienced New York life and soon returned 2000 - Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Award, 2000 to Sioux Falls. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Jeff - Argus Leader Best in Business Inaugural Award, 2005 was mentored by his father and started a family. His - Marsh Berry Insurance Pinnacle Award Winner, 2006 daughter Anne was born in 1981, and Sarah was born Sioux Falls Business Journal Top 10 Leaders. in 1985. Jeff settled into a 60-plus-hour workweek, With Howalt flourishing, the family growing and a hunted on weekends, spent time at the Williams family solid team of associates driving the Howalt culture, Jeff cabin in Minnesota, and volunteered for numerous in 1995 at age 40 pursued a childhood passion inspired by visiting the Brockhouse Big Game Collection at nonprofits related to kids and parks. West Sioux Hardware. In order to escape the day-toIn 1984, at age 29, Jeff was handed the keys to Howalt day rat race, he committed to biannual, two-week McDowell Insurance as his father transitioned to retirement. Leveraging the lessons of hard work, big game hunts over the next 20 years. He bagged his professionalism, financial acumen for growth and “Grand Slam of North American wild sheep” and more, testing his mettle in some of the most remote, rugged,
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South Dakota Hall of Fame
