Feb. 15, 2023

Sioux Falls city attorney Stacy Kooistra is becoming the new chief operating officer and general counsel for the Dakota State University-Applied Research Corporation.

His new role will help “stimulate a vibrant cyber-research industry that supports national security, offers workforce and economic development opportunities and establishes South Dakota as a cyber state,” according to a statement from DSU.

Kooistra was appointed to his role with the city by Mayor Paul TenHaken in 2018.

The DSU-ARC was established recently as a nonprofit corporation, separate from the university. Its mission is to develop, operate and expand the DSU Applied Research Lab. The lab currently is on campus in Madison and will expand to Sioux Falls in a building currently being designed that will be near the Sanford Sports Complex.

The corporation will operate the lab, and DSU will transfer lab personnel to the corporation later this year.

When it opens in 2025, the 100,000-square-foot Sioux Falls facility will be able to house approximately 400 researchers.

Together, the facilities in Madison and Sioux Falls “will create a cyber-research hub that will support important national security research with government, military, business and industry partners,” DSU said. “This hub promises to be a strong, emerging industry for the state of South Dakota.”

Kooistra’s background includes experience with the city of Sioux Falls and the region, training and education in law and cyber law, a military background as staff judge advocate for the South Dakota Air National Guard and joint staff for the South Dakota National Guard, and leadership in creating the strong public-private partnership that established the South Dakota Military Heritage Alliance.

“The city of Sioux Falls has seen a growing and increasingly fruitful partnership with DSU over the years, and to be able to have Stacy continue his public service in this new capacity is a win for all involved,” TenHaken and City Council chair Curt Soehl said in a joint statement.

Kooistra will begin his duties this spring and will be based in Sioux Falls.

“Col. Kooistra is the perfect person for the job,” said José-Marie Griffiths, interim CEO of DSU-ARC and DSU president. “With his experience and expertise, he will be able to create a strong foundation for DSU-ARC by bringing together entities to establish a thriving cyber-research facility. He will also help create a healthy and vibrant corporate culture that will attract researchers and partners alike.”

In addition to Griffiths and board chair Sara Venhuizen, members of the DSU-ARC board of directors are Board of Regents general counsel Nathan Lukkes, Premier Bankcard CEO Miles Beacom and DSU professor of practice Andrea Thompson.

“I am humbled at the opportunity to play a foundational role in this important undertaking,” Kooistra said. “I have every confidence that, together, we will indeed see significant long-term impacts from this cyber-research initiative to benefit the city of Sioux Falls, the state of South Dakota and our national interests.”