People You Should Know 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.

Dakota State University

Dakota State University has hired Bre Baltzer as the director of strategic initiatives for institutional advancement. Baltzer previously did database management for the South Dakota Department of Social Services Division of Behavior Health.

 

Caliber

Caliber has promoted two staff members.

Kelly Buss is the agency manager and media supervisor. Buss has worked as the media specialist at Caliber for eight years.

Jake Zastrow is the creative director. He had been the art director at the agency, where he has worked for almost four years.

Caliber has hired Marisa Milton as an account executive. She grew up in Brookings and lived in Minnesota for six years and Arizona for two years before returning to South Dakota.

Dakota Business Finance

Dakota Business Finance has presented its annual awards.

First Dakota National Bank was named Lender of the Year. The award recognizes the lender that has the highest number of loans with Dakota Business Finance approved by the SBA in each federal fiscal year.

Melissa Fossell, First Bank & Trust, was named Individual Lender of the Year for the highest number of loans.

Dale Zomer, NAI Sioux Falls, was named the Friend of Dakota Business Finance. One of the criteria used in evaluating this award is the number of referrals an individual makes to Dakota Business Finance in each fiscal year that are approved by the SBA as well as other marketing efforts to promote the program.

Dakota Business Finance has elected officers: president, Heath Kooiman, Woltman Group; vice president, Brian Gilbert, The First National Bank in Sioux Falls; and secretary/treasurer, Nick Gustafson, Bender Commercial Real Estate Services.

New board members are Mike Gray, Sioux Falls Development Foundation; Jessica Harry, Great Western Bank in Aberdeen; and Will Haugen, First Dakota National Bank in Chamberlain.

New members of the membership board are Scot Den Boer, Cornerstone Bank; Jaden Holzer, CorTrust Bank; Adam Kniffen, First Bank & Trust; Eric Maas, Lamfers & Maas; Travis Olsem, American Bank & Trust; and Ron Wagner, First National Bank in Pierre.

First Premier Bank

Mark Sundvold has been promoted to branch manager II at First Premier Bank. Sundvold has almost 14 years of experience in financial services and joined the bank in 2019. He will oversee retail staff and operations for the bank’s main office at 500 S. Minnesota Ave.

The Link

Bill Earley has been named executive director of The Link. The facility opened June 1 as a safe place for people experiencing a nonviolent behavioral health crisis or needing care for substance abuse disorders to access immediate treatment and referral to support services. Most recently, Earley served as chief operating officer and general counsel at West Health in San Diego. He also brings experience from previous positions as president and CEO of the Gary and Mary West Management Co. Inc. and regional CEO of the American Red Cross of San Diego/Imperial Counties.

Meta Financial/MetaBank

Sonja Theisen has been elevated to the role of executive vice president and chief governance, risk and compliance officer for Meta Financial and MetaBank. Theisen has been with MetaBank for eight years, most recently serving as senior vice president and chief of staff. She also has been the controller and the chief accounting officer. Before joining Meta, Theisen held various positions at Great Western Bank, where she ultimately rose to become senior vice president, finance operations. Before beginning a banking career, she was an audit manager at Eide Bailly and KPMG.

Silencer Central

Silencer Central’s Banish 30 has been selected as Guns & Ammo’s Silencer of the Year. The 9-inch titanium suppressor that works with calibers from .17 to .300 was chosen for the award by editors, contributors and staff of the magazine.

South Dakota Department of Human Services Governor’s Awards

A local business and resident were among those receiving Governor’s Awards, which recognize the achievements of businesses, individuals with disabilities and other South Dakotans for their contributions toward the employment of people with disabilities.

MasterBrand Cabinets/StarMark Cabinetry was recognized as the Outstanding Private Employer in the large organization category.

Vicki Nelson of the department’s Division of Rehabilitation Services and vice chair of the board for Business Resource Network received the Distinguished Service Award.

South Eastern Council of Governments

The South Eastern Council of Governments has elected officers: chair, Kevin Smith, city of Sioux Falls; vice chair, John Prescott, city of Vermillion; and secretary/treasurer, Dan Hindbjorgen, Hegg Realtors.