April 16, 2019

Jeff Eckhoff has been named director of planning and development services for the city of Sioux Falls.

Eckhoff has led the South Dakota Small Business Development Center since 2012 and was the executive director for the Lincoln County and Minnehaha County Economic Development Associations from 1996 to 2012. He served as director of operations for Turning Point, now Volunteers of America, from 1993 to 1996.

He will replace retiring director Mike Cooper.

“I am honored to join Mayor TenHaken and the planning and development services staff,” Eckhoff said in a statement. “Sioux Falls has a long trajectory of success, and the opportunity to be a part of this great history and to serve this wonderful city is exciting and humbling. I look forward to meeting the staff, engaging with the community and joining in the mayor’s vision for the future.”

Eckhoff is a 1982 graduate of South Dakota State University and completed his master’s degree in administrative studies from the University of South Dakota in 1997.

His community involvement includes serving with the Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation; Southeast Technical Institute Council; South Eastern Council of Governments executive board and operations committee; Sioux Council, Scouts BSA  executive board and executive committee; Better Business Bureau advisory board; South Dakota Chamber and Economic Development Council; and the Washington High School Booster Club executive board.

He won the South Dakota Municipal League’s Excellence in Municipal Government Award in 2006, and during his tenure with LCEDA/MCEDA, the organization was recognized with the Governor’s Excellence in Economic Development Award in 2002 and communities within the organization were six-time recipients of the Governor’s Community of the Year Award.

“To get things done, it’s important to surround yourself with top-shelf talent. You would be hard-pressed to find anyone better for this role than Jeff,” Mayor Paul TenHaken said. “The relationships, planning and government experience that Jeff brings to the city are going to be critical assets in continuing to propel Sioux Falls forward. I’m honored to now call him my colleague and excited to have his steady hand at the development and planning wheel.”

The planning and development services department includes zoning, building services, housing and code enforcement divisions, all located in the City Center building.

The City Council is scheduled to vote on Eckhoff’s appointment May 7.