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Name: Chris Frick
Position: Area 2
City: Yankton
Term End Date: 4/18/2027
Biography:
Appointed June 2023.
Chris Frick is from Yankton, South Dakota and has a bachelor’s degree in teaching from the University of Sioux Falls. He worked at a family-owned livestock order buying business before starting his own livestock market in 1994. Frick went on to work in sales for a wholesale propane company. He is now part owner of a HVAC company.
Political Party:Republican
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Name: Lynn Jensen
Position: Area 1
City: Lake Preston
Term End Date: 4/18/2025
Biography:
Appointed August 2021.
Lynn Jensen is from Lake Preston, SD. He attended Lake Area Technical Institute in Watertown where he graduated with a degree in Agricultural Production and is currently a Private Banker with Structured Asset Finance and also continues to manage the family farm. Previous positions include President/ Co-CEO of the Nation Corn Growers Association, State Director of USDA Rural Development, President Bush’s appointee as the USDA liaison to FEMA during Hurricane Katrina recovery, and board member of several non-profit and for-profit organizations. His personal objectives are to develop and manage successful organizations that focus on bettering the opportunities and lives of people that reside in rural America. Lynn describes himself as a well-rounded individual that has a unique ability to multi-task and manage the details of business.
Political Party:Republican
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Name: Jafar Karim
Position: Area 4
City: Rapid City
Term End Date: 4/18/2027
Biography:
Appointed 2019.
Jafar J. Karim is Director of Governmental Affairs for Black Hills Energy, a customer-focused natural gas and electric provider across eight states and headquartered in Rapid City. Jaf previously served as South Dakota’s State Director for USDA Rural Development, managed public affairs for a regional railroad headquartered in Sioux Falls, and served as Director of the South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development. Before returning to South Dakota in 2005, he spent ten years in Washington, DC, with accolades including being a congressional advisor on a range of issues, including transportation, to then-U.S. Congressman John Thune. Jaf is a graduate of the University of South Dakota and grew up in Pierre. He and wife Jess live in Rapid City with their three girls.
Political Party:Republican
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Name: Larry A. Nelson
Position: Area 2
City: Canton
Term End Date: 4/18/2026
Biography:
Appointed 2017.
Larry Nelson received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, with a major in Government and minors in Psychology and History, and received his Juris Doctorate from the University of South Dakota, School of Law, Vermillion in 1977. Larry is married to Edith Nelson and they have two grown sons who are married. Larry is currently a Partner in the law firm of Frieberg, Nelson & Ask, LLP, in Canton, South Dakota.
Political Party:Democrat
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Name: Donald Roby
Position: Area 1
City: Watertown
Term End Date: 4/18/2025
Biography:
Appointed 2011.
Don Roby is a Watertown native and a 1980 graduate of Watertown High School. He attended the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, graduating in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and is currently a partner in R&R Investments, LLC. He and his wife, Kelly, have three children. Don is active in the community and serves on the board of various foundations and organizations.
Political Party:Republican
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Name: Ronald Rosenboom
Position: Area 4
City: Sturgis
Term End Date: 4/18/2028
Biography:
Appointed 2014.
Ron Rosenboom and his wife, Bev, have lived in Sturgis for more than 30 years. He has his undergraduate teaching degree from Black Hills State and a Masters Degree from South Dakota State University. He is retired from his position of Executive Director of Black Hills Special Services Cooperative and now serves as the Executive Director of West River Foundation. He and Bev have two grown children. Ron is active in the Sturgis community and currently serves on the finance committee at Life Springs Wesleyan Church, the Sturgis Economic Development Corporation Board and the local transportation board.
Political Party:Republican
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Name: Austin Simons
Position: Area 3
City: Mobridge
Term End Date: 4/18/2027
Biography:
Appointed June 2023.
Austin Simons is a lifetime resident of South Dakota and has a bachelor’s degree in banking and finance and professional accountancy from Northern State University. He was a public accountant at Cahill Bauer & Associates in Mobridge, South Dakota before going on to become the manager at Thorstenson Trucking, LLC in Selby. In this role, Simons has applied performance data to evaluate and improve operations, target current business conditions, and forecast needs.
Political Party:Republican
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Name: Rick Vallery
Position: Area 3
City: Pierre
Term End Date: 4/18/2026
Biography:
Appointed 2024.
Rick was raised on the family ranch near Nisland, SD. He attended a country school through eighth grade and graduated from Newell High School. Rick attended Mitchell Vo-Tech. Rick farmed and ranched with his dad and brother for twelve years. In 1984, Rick left production agriculture to begin a career with South Dakota Farm Bureau. In 1997, Rick began serving as Executive Director for SD Wheat Inc. In March of 2013 Rick began work as a Congressional staffer for Congresswoman Noem which concluded in December of 2018. In 2019, Rick took a Senior Policy position within the SD Department of Agriculture and later transferred to the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and retired in March of 2022. Rick lives in Fort Pierre with his wife Carrel. Rick is very active in Community Bible Church (Pierre) where he attends. Rick’s hobbies include visiting kids and grandkids, traveling, touring state capitols, touring history museums, reading, and hunting.
Political Party:Republican
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Name: Mike Vehle
Position: Area 2
City: Mitchell
Term End Date: 4/18/2028
Biography:
Appointed 2017.
Mike Vehle is a graduate of Chamberlain High School. After graduating from the University of South Dakota, he worked four years in Washington, DC as a Legislative Aide to then Congressman Jim Abdnor. Upon returning to South Dakota, Mike worked at Shanard Inc., a grain, feed, seed, and fertilizer company, eventually becoming President and then later became a Vice President at CorTrust Bank. In 2004, he was elected to the SD House of Representatives and in 2008 the SD Senate where he was Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee for eight years. Working on many transportation initiatives and issues, in 2015, he was the author and Prime Sponsor of Senate Bill 1, which was the most comprehensive transportation funding package enacted in decades. Mike served on several local, state, and national committees and organizations. In 2015, Mike was inducted into the South Dakota Transportation Hall of Honor for his Legislative work.
Political Party:Republican
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