May 28, 2024

This week’s Up-and-Comer is Karst Way, job captain at JLG Architects.

Name: Karst Way

Age: 28

Hometown: Mitchell

What brought you to Sioux Falls?

After graduating from Oklahoma State, I realized that I wanted to be closer to home and family. Growing up in Mitchell, I saw how much everyday Joe Schmoes like myself could really shape their community. That is something that really inspired me to move to Sioux Falls and really get involved in the community. Sioux Falls is the perfect size for someone to have their voice heard and really have the ability to make a major impact. There are events for people of all ages, and social groups for all interests.

What keeps you in Sioux Falls?

The things that keep me in Sioux Falls are the same things that brought me here: the community, the opportunity, the entertainment and now the friendships that I have gained all over the city. I can’t imagine myself anywhere else. There really is something for everyone here, and the people are some of the best in the world.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

There are two things that I absolutely love about my job. The first one, which is why I got into architecture, is seeing that final product. There are very few careers that would have let me have such a big impact on the place that I live. At the end of every project, no matter how difficult it was, seeing the building in use and full of life makes it all worth it. I take tremendous pride in that. The other thing I love about my job, which I never considered until I got out into the real world, is the relationships with clients. Throughout the design process, we are allowed to meet so many different people from all walks of life. Starting those relationships and delivering solutions to the people involved is really something else. I love it.

How did you get connected to your industry?

I had an art teacher in middle school, and she told me one day, “You would be a great architect.” I didn’t really know what that entailed at the time but thought she was crazy. Of course, I was going to be a professional athlete even though I stood a rock solid 4-foot-6 and 100 pounds soaking wet. However, as I continued to find interest in the arts, that comment stuck with me. A way down the road, another teacher left me with a final comment: “Mr. Way, that creativity will never leave you.” It was really at the moment I started to consider it. I loved making things and took great pride in the final product; it all started to make sense. By the time I went to college, I knew this was what I wanted to do.

Describe your workplace in three words.

Vibrant, creative and collaborative.

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

John Stockton is my cousin.

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

My two favorite things to volunteer for are Levitt concerts and the monthly DTSF block parties. I think those two events offer so much to our community. Free entertainment every single weekend is truly a blessing to the community; they are really beautiful and unique programs that we have in Sioux Falls.

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

I would love to see an indoor mini putt/bar combo eventually. I think we have entertainment for days during the summer months but could use a few more indoor winter activities here and there.

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

I have a major interest in getting into commercial development — investors, call me.