March 5, 2024

This week’s Up-and-Comer is Jesse Carlson, a treasury management solutions consultant at Dacotah Bank.

Name: Jesse Carlson

Age: 26

Hometown: Faulkton

What brought you to Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls has always been known for being young and fun! There is always something exciting to do every day year-round! I actually read a SiouxFalls.Business article about Sioux Falls being among the best places to live in 2020, and it inspired me to try it out myself.

What keeps you in Sioux Falls?

The people; I was a little nervous moving to the biggest community in South Dakota, but being in the Midwest, it didn’t take long for Sioux Falls to feel like home.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

Dacotah Bank’s commitment to positively impacting our communities resonates with me deeply. That’s why I love my job and working directly with business owners. I help them boost interest income, trim expenses and reduce fees. It’s incredibly rewarding to support their financial success. Even better, I learn about their unique histories and passion for the businesses they’ve built – that connection to the community is truly inspiring.

How did you get connected to your industry?

As a freshman at SDSU, I attended a Dacotah Bank event for college students that sparked my interest in finance. I had the chance to connect with employees across different departments – those conversations were pivotal. Inspired, I applied for a part-time teller position the same year and have worked my way up ever since.

Describe your workplace in three words.

Alliance of friends.

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

I was my dad’s wedding officiant this year!

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

I’m passionate about sharing my knowledge, whether at work, through the SDSU Alumni Association or with local organizations. With fraud on the rise, I’m especially focused on educating businesses and seniors about protecting themselves and their finances. Hosting informative lunch-and-learns is my favorite way to empower our community and make a tangible difference.

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

 We already have a lot of fast-food options, but having an In-N-Out Burger would be amazing!

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

Inspired by Homes Are Possible Inc., HAPI, in Aberdeen, South Dakota, I would start a nonprofit business that would focus on revitalizing neighborhoods and/or building new affordable homes in Sioux Falls and supporting low-income community members to find and purchase housing. As of December, Sioux Falls is short nearly 4,000 units for people with low income.