Barr resigns from Sioux Falls Development Foundation

Sioux Falls Development Foundation president Slater Barr resigned suddenly Tuesday, following almost a decade at the economic development organization.

Before coming to Sioux Falls in 2008, he  was an economic development executive in suburban Atlanta. Post-resignation, he will be “pursuing new opportunities,” according to a statement from the development foundation.

Barr announced his resignation to board chair Steve Statz on the day it was effective.

“I’m proud of the accomplishments we have seen during my nine years as president of the development foundation,” Barr said. “Working with the board of directors and a dedicated staff, we have achieved significant milestones in growing the Sioux Falls-area economy.”

Vice president Dean Dziedzic has been named interim president during the process of recruiting a president for the organization. Founded more than 60 years ago, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation is the community’s leading economic development group, responsible for the creation of the Sioux Empire Development Parks, home to 145 companies employing almost 13,000 people.

Dziedzic will lead a staff of eight in daily operations that include business recruitment, coordination with expanding Sioux Falls-area companies, workforce-development initiatives and the administration and growth of Foundation Park, which this year saw its first completed infrastructure projects and the construction start for Win Chill, a $45 million distribution company.

“We are grateful for Slater’s leadership and wish him well in his transition,” Statz said. “The board has great confidence in Dean and his solid economic development leadership for our community. The development foundation will be in good hands as we explore our options for naming our next president.”

Barr’s is the second departure from the organization in the past month. Lon Clemensen, vice president of workforce development, left for a job in the banking industry.

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Barr resigns from Sioux Falls Development Foundation

Sioux Falls Development Foundation president Slater Barr resigned suddenly Tuesday, following almost a decade at the economic development organization.

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