Garrett Schweitzer is the Market President of Dacotah Bank's locations in Lemmon and Bison. He understands the important role community banks play in rural economic development and takes great pride in helping business owners and farmers and ranchers reach their financial goals. He is active in the community, having served on the Lemmon City Council, Lemmon Area Charitable and Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors, West River Cooperative Telephone Company Board of Directors, and Lemmon Country Club Board of Directors. Garrett and his family love the outdoors and enjoy spending time in the vast, rural areas of western South Dakota and other western states.

Ryan is the Sioux Falls Market President for American State Bank. With more than 24 years of experience in the financial services industry, Ryan assumed his current role with the bank in 2018. Prior to American State Bank, he was employed with HSBC/Capital One. He joined HSBC in 1999 as an entry level unit manager. He managed several different departments over the years including customer service and credit bureau disputes. Ryan holds a bachelor’s degree from Dakota State University in Madison. He has served as a committee Chair for the Sioux Empire United Way and an 18-year classroom volunteer for Junior Achievement.

Serving as the Community Affairs Manager for Black Hills Energy, Lynn is dedicated to fostering strong partnerships and making a positive impact on the community in South Dakota. With over 15 years of professional experience in community building, advocacy, and engagement, Lynn’s journey began with the Rapid City Chamber of Commerce and later with the South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority. Her involvement in policymaking at the state level and her active participation in local and statewide election campaigns reflect her passion for driving positive change. Prior to her career in community affairs, Lynn served in the United States Air Force for a decade in the Munitions Systems career field, stationed at Kadena AB, Osan AB, and Ellsworth AFB. Lynn earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science from Black Hills University and her Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis in Civic Engagement from Claremont Lincoln University. Additionally, she holds the Institute of Organizational Management designation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Lynn is an active member of her community and currently serves on the boards of the Central States Fair, YMCA of the Black Hills, Leadership South Dakota, and the Board of Trustees for Western Dakota Tech. Her dedication to civic service extends to her personal life, where she and her husband are raising two children.

Skya Ducheneaux is deeply rooted in her native heritage and a passion for community development. An enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Skya spent her formative years on a cattle ranch on the CRST Reservation in South Dakota, forging a profound connection to her land and culture. Skya’s educational path led her to earn an MBA in Business Administration, equipping her with the knowledge and skills to make a meaningful impact on her community. Her journey into community development began during her summers interning for the Intertribal Agriculture Council, where she was introduced to the work of Native Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). With dedication and vision, Skya took on the challenge of creating the first national Native CDFI dedicated to Indian agriculture, successfully launching this groundbreaking initiative in 2019. Her work continues to bridge the gap between finance and agriculture, benefiting Native communities across the nation. While Skya has transitioned to the other side of the agriculture table, her commitment to the land, her people, and her mission remains unwavering.

Attorney, licensed in both Illinois and South Dakota. My practice is primarily business and estate planning. Originally from Lapeer, Michigan. Currently on the Board of Trustees for theBoys & Girls Club of Watertown and Vice-President of the Watertown Rotary Club. As part of my civil service to the community, I am currently the President of the Watertown Municipal Utilities Board and have served as the interim City Attorney for the City of Watertown. Prior to opening my own practice here in Watertown in 2008, I served as General Counsel to the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Indian tribe from 2003 to 2007. What I enjoy most about my law practice is helping non-profits and those wanting to start their own businesses and watching them grow and helping them navigate the landscape as they grow and encounter new challenges.

Bryan Breitling’s journey is a testament to his unwavering dedication to serving his community, his state, and his fellow citizens. Born and raised in Roscoe, SD, Bryan’s commitment to making a difference in the lives of others began early in life and has continued to define his career. After completing his military service, Bryan attended Northern State University (NSU) and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting and finance. Bryan later attended the University of Sioux Falls (USF) and graduated with an MBA, with an emphasis on Healthcare Administration. Bryan began his career as the administrator at Storla Sunset Home near Letcher. Subsequently, he took on the role of hospital and nursing home administrator at Bowdle Healthcare Center. For more than 20 years, Bryan dedicated his efforts to Avera Hand County in Miller, where he served as an administrator. During this time, his leadership abilities shone brightly, leading to his eventual appointment as a regional administrator, responsible for overseeing four other rural Avera hospitals. In 2020, Bryan took on a new challenge by entering the world of politics. He ran for public office and secured a position of State Senator from District 23. Now in his second term, Bryan serves as the Vice Chair of Senate Appropriations. Bryan’s commitment to community development is evident in his involvement with On Hand Economic Development, where he initially joined as a member and later became the Chair. During his tenure, On Hand partnered with Dakota Resources on several projects that positively impacted the region. Outside of his professional and political roles, Bryan has a rich history of serving on numerous nonprofit boards, demonstrating his dedication to various causes and organizations that make a difference in people’s lives.

Rita Anderson spent her career as an economic development practitioner, with over three decades of experience in the field. Her career started in Yuma, Colorado in 1991 and wrapped up with her retirement as the Executive Director of the De Smet Development Corporation in 2023. During her career, Rita oversaw projects such as the recruitment of manufacturing and retail businesses to the community, housing development, development of community facilities in several different communities, to name a few. She is an active advocate for community & economic development and rural communities with her involvement in statewide organizations to promote economic development efforts, including workforce, housing, childcare, trails, tourism, community projects and wellness efforts with South Dakota Legislature and strong working relationship with State of South Dakota Departments. She continues to serve on the De Smet Development Corporation board.

Patri brings over 20 years of design expertise, cultural sensitivity, and a wild and wonderful wit to her work. Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Patri resided in New York, Florida and Texas before making the Black Hills her home. As an architect and community member, Patri finds joy in creating solutions that catalyze smart growth and renewal with a special love for rural and remote communities. An engaged and passionate civic leader, Patri is a 2021 Bush Foundation Fellow. During the fellowship, she expanded her knowledge of public policy and social justice and her capacity for intercultural development, with the goal of creating a more equitable approach to architecture through policy, planning, practice, and participation. She understands that architecture is powerful and permanent and seeks to make the design and construction of places and spaces more just.