Feb. 24, 2026

This week’s Up-and-Comer is Kyle Werning, a water resources design engineer at Houston Engineering Inc.

Name: Kyle Werning

 Age: 28

Hometown: Bettendorf, Iowa

What brought you to Sioux Falls?

I was first exposed to Sioux Falls in high school during sporting events and interned at an ethanol plant in college where my co-workers said great things about Sioux Falls. I always wanted to end up in Sioux Falls, and when I was able to take my professional career into the city, I didn’t hesitate.

What keeps you in Sioux Falls?

Not unlike others that have moved here, I really like the size of Sioux Falls as it does have that small-town feel. But there’s enough growth, development and energy that there’s plenty to do.

What’s your favorite thing about your job? 

I love how every day I’m lucky enough to wake up and be an absolute nerd about water. From the challenges of reducing flood risks within a community, enhancing the natural and built environment, connecting with people, the great co-workers I collaborate with at Houston Engineering or even sitting there and not knowing the answer to a problem but saying to one another “we’re going to figure it out.” Working in a field I’m passionate about is all I could ever ask for.

How did you get connected to your industry?

I started taking STEM classes in high school, which introduced me to engineering, learning basics of CAD and completing design competitions such as building a trebuchet and a cardboard boat. Fast-forward to college, and through consulting and research internships, I was exposed to the water-resources realm of engineering and knew that’s where I wanted to be.

Describe your workplace in three words.

Exciting, smart, respect.

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

People who really know me know this, but I’m kind of an anti-beach vacation person, preferring long car ride/camping trips instead — jokingly calling them my own personal “therapy.” I’ve gone on two-week cross-country trips, driving four to six hours every day between places and sleeping out of my truck. You could offer me a free five-star hotel and private jet, and I still wouldn’t change any of it to see the country and the interesting folks along the way.

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

One event I always enjoy is the annual Big Sioux River Cleanup held in April and put on by the city of Sioux Falls and Friends of the Big Sioux River. I grew up doing river cleanups around the Mississippi River, and it always brings out the inner child in me. It’s one of the best ways, in my opinion, someone can give back to not only the community but the environment. Plus, it’s a good excuse to get dirty.

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

Not that we lack outdoor stores — I actually gloat to some about our outdoor-store options — but if REI decided to set up shop here, I wouldn’t be mad.

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

I’d probably set up some type of outdoor adventure/expedition company. I love skiing, so the idea of creating my own heli-skiing company or place similar to Silverton Mountain in Colorado would be pretty awesome. Worse-case scenario if it went under: I still could have the time of my life and get a few good runs in!