BOARD OF DIRECTORS & STAFF

Bob started in 1997 and is a fourth-generation family member to be involved with the bank. He is proud of the Bank’s corporate values and culture and enjoys building long-term relationships with clients as he helps them prosper and succeed. Bob grew up in Sioux Falls and attended college at the University of Montana. He then continued his education through the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Colorado.

Jay Buchholz is Sioux Valley Energy’s Manager of Public Relations. Jay graduated both South Dakota State University and Mitchell Technical Institute were he puts his media and technical skills to use. Having worked at KELOLAND Media group for over 10 years in sales, marketing and management, Jay ventured into the utility and economic development world at Sioux Valley Energy. 

Mike Jaspers joined the East River Electric team in July of 2018, following two years of service as South Dakota’s Secretary of Agriculture.  As Business Development Director, Mike leads efforts to expand opportunities for existing members of the rural electric cooperative system, as well as recruiting and assisting new members through economic development growth.

Previously, Mike as served as the South Dakota State Director for USDA/Rural Development and was a member of the SD state legislature for 8 years, serving in both the House and Senate. 

Commissioner Dean Karsky was first elected to the Minnehaha County, South Dakota Board of Commissioners in 2016. Prior to serving on the board of commissioners, Commissioner Karsky was a Sioux Falls City Council member from 2011 to 2016. Commissioner Karsky is an active member in church, professional, service and business organizations, having served on the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Past President of the Sioux Falls Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, Character Counts, SME Executive Board and St. Michael’s Parish Council. Since the inception of The Link community triage center, Commissioner Karsky has served as its board vice president. In addition to his role as county commissioner, Commissioner Karsky is an insurance agency owner. He received an associates degree from the Community College of the Air Force, bachelor’s degree from Troy State University and undertook graduate studies at the University of South Dakota.

Jeff Eckhoff has served as director of planning and development services for the City of Sioux Falls since May 28, 2019. His department staffs the project teams responsible for planning, zoning, building services, housing, transit, neighborhood revitalization, code compliance, historic preservations, and the visual arts commission. Jeff’s career path includes 16 years as executive director of the Lincoln and Minnehaha County Economic Development Associations, seven years as state director of the South Dakota Small Business Development Center, and over five years with the City. He earned a bachelor’s degree at South Dakota State University and a master’s degree at the University of South Dakota.

Marcus Mahlen joined NAI Sioux Falls in February of 2017 as a broker associate. Since the beginning of his time at NAI Sioux Falls, negotiating his first deal at the age of 23, Marcus has shown a passion for putting his client first. His strong work ethic and ability to form strong personal connections in the community has allowed him to work on a number of significant projects for the firm. Marcus’ accomplishments include being involved in the Deal of the Year for 2018 & 2023, and being named the Broker of the Year in 2022 & 2023. His expertise primarily involves investment sales and leasing in the industrial, office, and retail asset classes. Marcus also serves the Sioux Metro region in his capacity as Board Chairman of the Harrisburg Economic Development Corporation. 

Mike Wendland is the Development Director for Grant Park Capital, LLC.  Mike graduated from Augustana College and worked for Citi for 31 years.  While working at Citi, Mike also served 4 years on the city council for the City of Baltic and then 18 years as the Mayor.  Mike then became the City Administrator and Economic Development Director for the City of Baltic.  Mike served on the Board of Directors and the President of the Board of Directors for the South Dakota Municipal League. Mike received the Excellence in Municipal Government Award.  Mike and his wife Dawn have three children.

Tony has been involved in the construction industry for over 25 years. Self-motivated and charismatic, Tony constantly strives to better himself, people around him, and construction projects he is involved with. Tony knows construction and the Construction Management process. Construction is a fluid and ever-changing process filled with eclectic issues and personnel. Using exceptional communication skills and keen senses of adaptability, Tony channels projects, and team members into their most efficient flow.

·    Bryce joined the SMGA team in late 2023 as an Economic Development & Member Relations Specialist. Healy joins SMGA with over a decade of leadership as the Executive Director of the Associated General Contractors of South Dakota. There he gained invaluable economic development experience as he worked with AGC-SD’s membership, developers, and industry experts. Healy is looking forward to bringing his talents and expertise to SGMA and is eager to help empower regional growth.

·     Chris Fields is originally from Overland Park, KS, near the Kansas City Metro. Upon graduating high school, Fields attended the University of Kansas, earning his bachelor’s degree in Political Science. While at KU, he served as the Risk Management Chair as a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, as well as served as an intern in the State of Kansas Senate for Sen. Pete Brungardt (Saline County).

      Recently, Fields received his Master’s of Public Administration, with honors, from Bellevue University. Along with his B.A. and MPA, he also brings to SMGA a wealth of knowledge in sales, customer service, and leadership.

      Fields and his wife, Sarah reside in Tea, along with their five children – Caydence, Connor, Eli, Olivia and Gabriel.

Joshua Chase is a lifelong South Dakotan who joined the SMGA team in 2024. He graduated from Dell Rapids Public HS in 2018 and holds two degrees from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. Joshua earned his BA in Political Science in 2023 and graduated from USD’s Accelerated Master of Public Administration program in 2024.

While in college, Joshua interned for Ho-Chunk Inc., a tribally-owned economic development company in Winnebago, NE, U.S. Senator Mike Rounds’ Offices in Sioux Falls, Pierre, and Washington, DC, as well as serving as an intern to the Majority Leader in the South Dakota Senate for the 99th Legislature.

      Tyler Tordsen is the President & CEO of the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance, South Dakota’s largest regional non-profit economic development organization. In this role, Tyler oversees the day-to-day operations of SMGA’s staff and mission in its efforts to serve its 17 member municipalities, 5 counties, and multiple chambers of commerce, economic development offices and more in the greater Sioux Falls region.

      Before taking this role with SMGA, Tyler spent eight years serving in the Office of U.S. Senator Mike Rounds as the Southeast Regional Director and State Director of Tribal Affairs. His duties included helping South Dakotans through issues arising with the federal government, promoting communication to and from the Senator’s office and overseeing the operations and management of Senator Rounds’ Sioux Falls office.

      He is a lifelong South Dakotan who was born in Sioux Falls, grew up in Rapid City and is an enrolled member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe. He has a Bachelors of Science in political science and economics from the University of South Dakota, where as an undergraduate he served as the president of the USD Student Body, Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, and Tiospaye Student Council. He also holds a Master of Military Operational Art and Science with concentrations in Leadership and Warfare from Air University.

      Tyler was elected to the South Dakota House of Representatives for District 14 in 2022 and was sworn into office on January 7, 2023. During his first term, he served as a member of the House Education and House Judiciary Committees, and in 2024 was appointed to the Select Committee on Legislative Relationships with Ellsworth AFB. During his legislative service Tyler also served as a commissioner to the Midwestern Higher Education Compact representing South Dakota, along with being selected as a 2023 National Conference of State Legislatures Youth Homelessness Fellow. In October 2023, Tyler was chosen as a “50 Under 50” of up-and-coming conservative state legislators in the nation by the American Legislative Exchange Council and in 2024 was named a “Legislative Champion” by the Foundation for Government Accountability.

      Service and community are important to Tyler. He has served on the Sioux Falls YMCA Board of Directors, the USD Alumni Association Board of Directors, the Midwest Food Bank – Tristate Advisory Board, the Issues Management Council of the Sioux Falls Chamber, and is also a member of Downtown Sioux Falls Rotary Club and the Sales and Marketing Executives of Sioux Falls.

      Tyler and his wife Erika currently live in Sioux Falls with their two sons Emmett and Atlas, and daughter Soliene.

Nate Welch serves as the Economic Development & External Relations Specialist at Sioux Metro Growth Alliance (SMGA), bringing nearly two decades of proven leadership in economic development, strategic marketing, and community transformation.

Prior to joining SMGA, Nate served as President & CEO of the Vermillion Chamber and Development Company (VCDC), where he led the organization through unprecedented growth. Under his leadership, Vermillion saw a 290% increase in organizational assets, a 160% growth in annual operating budget, and the highest membership and community engagement metrics in its history. He spearheaded the Vermillion NOW!3 capital campaign—exceeding goals by over 30%—and championed multiple major development projects, including housing expansions, business recruitment, and downtown revitalizations.

Nate’s innovative spirit is matched by a commitment to integrity and impact. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he led award-winning relief programs like Vermillion Victory Bonds and was recognized by the Mid-American Economic Development Council with the “Resiliency in the Face of Adversity” Award for outstanding community response.

He has also served in the South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development, led investor relations for a real estate development firm, and held roles in media, sports management, and university development. His marketing savvy has launched viral campaigns, earned a national Telly Award, and attracted state and national events to the communities he’s served.

After studying Mass Communication in Journalism at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Nate returned to South Dakotan and graduated from the University of Sioux Falls, with a degree in Management and Entrepreneurial Studies.  Nate is also a Leadership South Dakota alum. His passion lies in building stronger, more vibrant communities—one relationship and one strategy at a time.