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Dakota State University

José-Marie Griffiths

Dakota State University President José-Marie Griffiths has been named an expert adviser for the Special Competitive Studies Project. SCSP is a new initiative that will make recommendations to strengthen America’s long-term global competitiveness for a future where artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies reshape our national security, economy, and society. At the most recent meeting of the board of advisers in Arlington, Virginia, discussions focused on three areas of its work:- democracy-affirming technology development and policy, implications of future technology platforms for national competitiveness and strategic rivalry with China.

Paulsen

LeNear Douglas

Paulsen has hired LeNear Douglas to serve as an account coordinator. He recently graduated from South Dakota State University with a bachelor’s degree in advertising and communications.

Paulsen earned 13 advertising awards, including five first-place honors, in the 2022 regional Best of NAMA competition from the National Agri-Marketing Association.

Paulsen’s first-place awards included:

• Trade ads – single or series, for Prairie Malt.
• Point-of-purchase materials, for Prairie Malt.
• Events – virtual, for East River Electric Power Cooperative.
• Smartphone apps, for RCIS.
• Company or producer-funded advertising campaign element directed to consumer, South Dakota Beef Industry Council.

Merit awards included:

• Multimedia campaigns – local, for East River Electric Power Cooperative.
• Television – single or series, Peterson Farms Seed.
• Audiovisual presentations directed to dealers, distributors, sales reps or others serving agribusiness, Landus.
• Corporate identity, BouMatic.
• Brand citizenship, SAB Biotherapeutics.
• Company or producer-funded advertising campaign element directed to consumer, Timberlyne Group.
• Website directed to consumers, Timberlyne Group.
• Audio/video feature or testimonial, Ohio Soybean Council.

Both merit and first-place awards are eligible to be entered in the national Best of NAMA competition.

Anna Mitchell

Premier Bankcard

Anna Mitchell has been promoted to director of human resources at Premier Bankcard. Mitchell joined the company in 2011.

South Eastern Development Foundation

Paul Tschetter

Keith Thompson

Eric DeHaan

Eric DeHaan of Woltman Group has been elected president of the board of directors for the South Eastern Development Foundation. Other officers are vice president Keith Thompson of Koch Hazard Architects and secretary/treasurer Paul Tschetter of Boyce Law Firm.

Dave Kroll

Dave Kroll of First Dakota National Bank has joined the board as a director.

Xcel Energy

For the ninth year in a row, Xcel Energy has been honored as one of the World’s Most Admired Companies by Fortune magazine. The Minneapolis-based utility ranked second among the most admired gas and electric companies in the country. The ranking is based on nine criteria including innovation, social responsibility, financial soundness, long-term investment value and quality of management.