March 11, 2025

This week’s Up-and-Comer is Turner Gaines, director of Unified Champion Schools for Special Olympics South Dakota.

Name: Turner Gaines

Age: 29

Hometown: Omaha

What brought you to Sioux Falls?

Growing up, Sioux Falls was a vacation destination for my family as my mom grew up here and still has family here. I loved everything about my visits, from sledding at Tuthill to walking around the Falls. When I graduated college and started looking for work opportunity, I kept a close eye on jobs in Sioux Falls as my wife and I were open to relocating. I’m glad it worked out and was able to start my professional life here.

What keeps you in Sioux Falls?

Starting a career and establishing roots in this city is very different from visiting as a child. However, my wife, Betsy, and I have fallen in love with Sioux Falls because of the people — co-workers and friends — our neighbors and the ever-growing food and attractions.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

My favorite thing about my job is seeing the good in multiple communities across South Dakota. Special Olympics South Dakota brings communities together for a purpose bigger than one person. The Unified Champion Schools program teaches students pre-kindergarten through college the importance of including everyone of all abilities.

How did you get connected to your industry?

I made two friends throughout my life who had different abilities than me. Both of my friends and I bonded over sports. I grew up idolizing anything sports. So when I began to contemplate my dream jobs, Special Olympics was always at the top of my list.

Describe your workplace in three words.

Striving for opportunities.

What is something someone might be surprised to learn about you?

The SiouxFalls.Business readers might think that someone who was nominated for the Up-and-Comer feature was a straight-A student and successful in everything they have ventured through. That is not my case. I struggled to get through school and took the long route through college. However, I searched for what I was passionate about, and once I found that career, nothing was going to stop me from being successful.

What’s your favorite way to give back to your community?

My favorite way to give back to the community is by giving my time supporting or volunteering for a cause that will improve the lives of people in my community.

I also want to mention the round-up campaigns around town. The round-up campaigns that partner a nonprofit with a local business to round up purchases to the nearest dollar is a small but effective way to support a cause. I love supporting every was possible.

What’s one business you’d like to see in Sioux Falls that isn’t here now?

My wife and I talk about this frequently. The business opportunity we talk about most is a dog park bar. The bar is ideally family-friendly that provides an indoor/outdoor dog park and lounge area. The dog park bar will, of course, hire people of all abilities.

If you had $1 million to start a business, what kind of business would it be?

If I had $1 million dollars to start a business, I would start a transportation nonprofit. The business plan isn’t laid out completely yet, but too often Special Olympics athletes are held back from opportunities due to transportation. I believe there is already a nonprofit in the area, Shift Garage, that does an amazing job helping underprivileged people find cars and fix them up. I would like to do the same but also provide transportation options for individuals that can’t drive, whether it be another bus option or providing bicycles. The goal of the business is to not let transportation hold anyone back in Sioux Falls.