Feb. 23, 2022

Longtime SDN Communications CEO Mark Shlanta died today.

He turned 57 about a week before his death and had battled cancer for two years.

Shlanta served as CEO for 21 years before stepping away late last year. Under his leadership, the company “changed the technology and communications landscape of South Dakota,” the company said in a statement.

During Shlanta’s tenure, he expanded the fiber optic network to 50,000 miles in South Dakota and extended it into eight surrounding states.

That network covers 80 percent of South Dakota’s geography, where 17 member/owner companies serve residents and businesses in their respective territories, and SDN resells that network to connect large-scale businesses with multiple office locations and cell towers across the Northern Plains.

Through Shlanta’s leadership, SDN built a data center and started providing cybersecurity services. His work garnered national attention, as he served as an expert witness for several U.S. congressional committees. In 2015, an international trade magazine named him a Progressive Rural Network Evolutionary.

10 lessons learned from former SDN boss Mark Shlanta

Shlanta was active in the Sioux Falls community. He held various leadership roles in Forward Sioux Falls and on boards for Avera Health, Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools and South Dakota Public Broadcasting. As an Eagle Scout, Shlanta’s favorite service was helping an estimated 50 Boy Scouts earn their top merit. He was most proud that all four of his boys achieved Eagle Scout status.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy; four adult sons, Michael, Karl, Joe and Scott; his mother and stepfather, Gail Shlanta Peasley and John Peasley; and two sisters, Kimberly Oh and Katie Lawrence.

Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, followed by a vigil service, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday.

See a video tribute to his life and career below.