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Name: VACANT
Position: At Large
City:
Term End Date:
Political Party:TBD
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Name: Jeffrey Burket
Position: Chairman / Finance
City: Spearfish
Term End Date: 10/30/2023
Biography:
Appointed 2014. Jeff Burket is a director of operations at Minerals Technology, Inc., where he manages bentonite mining operations for the United States including safety, logistics and P&L. Jeff is a native of South Dakota and has been in the mining and logistics industries with 20+ years experience. A graduate of the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, with a degree in Accounting. He currently calls Spearfish home.
Political Party:Republican
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Name: Gregory Carmon
Position: Operation of Rail Service
City: Brandon
Term End Date: 10/30/2022
Biography:
Appointed 2018. A farm kid from DeSmet, Greg Carmon started his career in the railroad business working at General Electric Railcar Repair. Achieving inspector status gave him an excellent understanding of railcar repair and when an opportunity to buy a small outdoor railcar repair shop in Sioux Falls presented itself, he took the leap and began Midwest Railcar Repair. In 1999, Greg built a state-of-the-art repair shop in Brandon. Greg also owns two railcar leasing businesses, Carmath and M&C Leasing. Greg has served on the Brandon Chamber of Commerce as well as assisted in developing the Brandon Community Foundation and served on its board. He has served on Forward Sioux Falls and on the Sioux Falls Community Foundation Board, chairing the SFACF Grant’s Committee, and he serves on the Build Dakota Board. He also serves as leadership of Brandon’s Celebration United Methodist Church. Greg is a husband, father, and grandfather who loves to spend time at his lake home fishing and hunting.
Political Party:Republican
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Name: Jerry Cope
Position: Vice-chair
City: Rapid City
Term End Date: 10/30/2022
Biography:
Appointed 2014. Jerry Cope works in grain marketing for Dakota Mill & Grain Inc. (DMG) in Rapid City, SD. Primary responsibilities are split between grain merchandising, elevator transportation logistics, developing strategic marketing plans with farm customers, soliciting new business and facility development. Current involvement includes National Grain & Feed Association Rail Shipper & Receiver committee; South Dakota Grain & Feed Association Board; School Booster board and the Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee. Jerry grew up on a cow/calf ranch near Hot Springs, South Dakota. Jerry is an avid pheasant hunter with the family Labrador. Together, Jerry and wife, Lori, enjoy most anything outdoors, travel, and time around the dinner table with their three daughters.
Political Party:Republican
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Name: Jon Kirby
Position: At Large
City: Sioux Falls
Term End Date: 10/30/2022
Biography:
Appointed 2019. Jon Kirby was born and raised in Sioux Falls. Jon holds a B.S. from Colorado Christian University and an MBA from the University of Sioux Falls. Jon currently resides in Sioux Falls where he is a Senior Associate of Investor Relations at Bluestem Capital Company. Prior to joining Bluestem, Jon has held positions in various companies dealing in finance, marketing and business development. He wants to be involved in South Dakota as much as possible. Jon and his wife Tracy have three children, and he loves spending time golfing, hunting and skiing.
Political Party:Republican
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Name: Jack Nelson
Position: Marketing
City: Volga
Term End Date: 10/30/2023
Biography:
Appointed 2017. Jack Nelson grew up on a farm near Lake Preston. After high school, he started working in the local elevator. After 3 years, he was given the opportunity to be a General Manger at two coops where he'd stay for 21 years. In 2002, he made a career change to his current position and entered the ethanol industry. Jack has held positions on both the Lake Preston and Arlington City Councils as well as served on multiple church boards. During his years in Lake Preston, he was trained and certified as an emergency medical technician, which he utilized on local ambulance crews and fire departments. Jack is married and has two children and three cherished grandchildren. Hobbies are aviation, fishing, and spending time with his family.
Political Party:Democrat
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Name: Steve Scharnweber
Position: Business Management
City: Pierre
Term End Date: 10/30/2023
Biography:
Appointed 2017. Steve Scharnweber grew up in central Iowa and went to work at C&NW in 1970 after one year at Iowa State University. He worked through several positions until promoted to management in 1977 in Boone, Iowa. Steve left C&NW in 1995 when the Union Pacific purchased the company and came to Pierre SD as Director of Engineering for the DM&E. Promoted to Vice President of Engineering in 1998, he served in that position until retirement in 2008. During that process, the DM&E acquire the old IMRL Railroad and together formed the Cedar American Corporation with Headquarters in Sioux Falls. Retirement with his wife Mary involves traveling to Iowa, Fargo (ND), Helena (MT), and Phoenix (AZ) to see kids and grandkids. Steve's hobbies included hunting and fishing.
Political Party:Republican
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