Dec. 30, 2025

This week’s Up-and-Comer is Sam Slaby, the wastewater operations manager for the city of Sioux Falls.

Name: Sam Slaby

Age: 36

Hometown: Byron, Minnesota

What brought you to Sioux Falls?

I graduated from Winona State University in southeast Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science in geology. After graduation, I moved to New Mexico to work in the oil industry. My wife, who was my girlfriend at the time, also attended WSU, where she earned her degree in nursing. She received a job offer from Sanford to work in the NICU. Our plan was for each of us to take the opportunities we’d been given and visit each other often. We had plenty of “Zoom dinners” and movie nights together online to stay connected. It didn’t take long, though, for me to realize that the desert wasn’t my forever home, and I decided to move to Sioux Falls to be with her. We’ve now been happily married for 10 years and will celebrate 11 years this coming February.

What keeps you in Sioux Falls?

Both my wife and I grew up in small towns, so we really appreciate that Sioux Falls offers the charm of a close-knit community while still providing all the amenities of a larger city. We feel safe here, and there’s always something fun to do. The local food scene is fantastic! My wife even runs an Instagram page called Two Girls and a Patio, where she highlights some of the best food and drink spots in town. It’s an awesome showcase of what Sioux Falls has to offer. I enjoy hunting and fishing, and the area is conveniently close to some excellent locations for both. Sioux Falls truly has something for everyone, from young families to retirees. I can easily see myself calling this region home for the rest of my life.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

We have a team of 70 dedicated employees at Water Reclamation, and you can throw just about anything our way and we will find a solution. This department is made up of fast-thinking, intelligent and hardworking men and women who always have each other’s backs. Whenever I face a challenge, I know I can count on my team to step up and do whatever it takes to get the job done. The city of Sioux Falls is truly fortunate to have the talented and committed staff we have at Water Reclamation!

How did you get connected to your industry?

After moving from New Mexico, I began working at Dakota Angler. I really enjoyed serving customers who shared my passion for the outdoors, and the owner, Todd Heitkamp, was an excellent boss. However, I was looking for a position that offered benefits such as health insurance and a retirement plan. When I came across a job posting for a wastewater operator with the city of Sioux Falls, I decided to give it a try. Although I had no prior experience in the field, I’ve always been passionate about water. I started on Jan. 13, 2014, and it didn’t take long before I discovered how much I loved the work. A few years later, I was promoted to lead operator, and in April 2024, I was promoted again to operations manager.

Describe your workplace in three words.

Fulfilling, challenging and innovative.

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

While I was in college, I fell off a ladder while painting houses and broke my back. For a few days, I had no feeling in the lower half of my body, and thought I was paralyzed. The feeling slowly came back, and I was able to walk again. Doctors had to use two titanium rods and 11 screws to stabilize my spine. During recovery, I developed an infection that required 24-hour dialysis, and I nearly didn’t survive. It was an incredibly scary and challenging time, but with the support of my friends and family, I was able to pull through and make a full recovery. That event changed my perspective on life and still motivates me to enjoy every day I have on this earth.

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

I originally went to school for education, so I really enjoy doing outreach with younger audiences. I find great value in teaching this age group and helping them see the importance of learning and staying curious.

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

I’d assume this is a popular answer, but Trader Joe’s. Whenever my wife and I go back to visit our friends and family in Rochester, Minnesota, we always stop to load up the vehicle before driving home.

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

I would love to buy land and build a lodge to host pheasant hunters. People are so happy when they are doing something they love, and it would be great to be around that type of person all the time. Otherwise, I would get into real estate. Buying, selling, fixing up and renting properties would be challenging but exciting.