Movers & Shakers features new hires, promotions and awards involving top executives and organizations. For consideration, email [email protected]. Guaranteed placement is provided only to partners of SiouxFalls.Business.

First National Wealth Management

Two personal trust officers at First National Wealth Management have earned certification.

Kayla O’Neal has received her Certified Financial Planner certification. CFP professionals must meet education, training and ethical standards to earn their certification, which is viewed as the gold standard in the financial planning industry.

Sara Baus has received her Certified Trust and Financial Advisor designation. Trust professionals with a minimum of three years’ experience must complete the three-part Cannon Trust School with Cannon Financial Institute and pass a certification exam to become a CTFA.

Prairie Family Business Association

Prairie Family Business Association had presented the Boyd Hopkins Sr. Excellence in Family Business Award to the Elliott family of A-OX Welding Supply. The award was established in 2003 to acknowledge and celebrate the importance of Sioux Falls-area family-owned businesses to the economy and the region. A-OX Welding Supply was founded in 1959 by Harold Elliott as Dakota Welding Supply and now is in its fourth generation as a family business, A-OX has grown to be one of the largest, most complete distributors of industrial gas and welding supply in the Upper Midwest. It has seven locations in South Dakota, North Dakota and Iowa, with a headquarters and central warehouse in Sioux Falls.

 Sioux Falls Development Foundation

The Sioux Falls Development Foundation has elected three new board members: Scott Wickersham, president and CEO of Viaflex Inc.; Raquel Blount, vice president of commercial real estate with Lloyd Cos; and Chris Ekstrum, president and CEO of The First National Bank in Sioux Falls.

Two staff members at the Sioux Falls Development Foundation have been promoted.

Mike Gray is director of business development. Gray has led the Foundation’s business retention and expansion efforts since joining the team in 2018. He will continue overseeing that program and additionally will now manage the Foundation’s coordination with the city of Sioux Falls on both existing business expansions and new business prospects. Gray also will oversee projects for the new Falls Area Development Corporation, which will focus on redevelopment of underutilized areas to ensure higher and better uses for targeted properties.

Leah Blom has been promoted to director of marketing and digital media. Blom has been overseeing the Foundation’s marketing efforts since joining the team in August 2021. She will continue those efforts and also will be responsible for developing new strategies for prospect marketing to key industries and digital marketing to college students through the Foundation’s INTERN Sioux Falls program.

South Dakota Department of Tourism

The South Dakota Department of Tourism, in partnership with Lawrence & Schiller, has won three Adrian Awards for travel marketing excellence from the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International.

• Gold: Go Great Places integrated campaign.
• Silver: Travel Insights email series.
• Bronze: South Dakota Department of Tourism and Deadwood Convention & Visitors Bureau for Deadwood sports betting campaign.

American Heart Association

Tony Burke has joined the American Heart Association as the state government relations director for South Dakota and North Dakota. Burke served for nearly 20 years in the fire service, including a four-year appointment in Washington, D.C., with the International Association of Fire Fighters Burn Foundation. Other roles include supporting the disaster response and recovery sectors, a health care startup and the food bank industry.

Caliber

Caliber has promoted Sarah Madsen to account executive. She joined the team almost two years ago as an account coordinator.

 

 

First Interstate Bank

Scott Grunewaldt has joined the First Interstate Bank commercial relationship team. He has more than 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry.

 

 

First Premier Bank/Premier Bankcard

First Premier Bank and Premier Bankcard have promoted Shari VanderWoude to vice president, compliance. VanderWoude has more than 25 years of professional experience and started with Premier in February.

 

Sioux Falls Dental Implant Center

Dr. Kevin Haiar of the Sioux Falls Dental Implant Center was recognized as a Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry at its annual meeting in September. He is now one of 380 dentists who hold this membership, recognizing his expertise in implant care.