Nov. 18, 2022

Longtime SDN Communications CEO Mark Shlanta, who died from cancer early this year, has been honored with the annual Spirit of Sioux Falls Award from the Sioux Falls Development Foundation.

The award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated leadership and commitment to the economic growth and development of Sioux Falls. It honors the memory of former Development Foundation staff and board members David Birkeland, Angus Anson and Roger Hainje, who died along with Gov. George Mickelson and other state officials and staff in 1993 as they returned from an economic development mission.

“Mark gave selflessly of himself to the greater cause of improving our community,” Development Foundation board chairman Kurt Loudenback said. “His commitment to economic development has helped to make Sioux Falls a model for public and private partnership in the spirit of the greater good. He was an example for others to put the community ahead of a personal agenda.”

In addition to his work at SDN, Shlanta chaired the Development Foundation board from 2008-09 and was chair of the Forward Sioux Falls joint venture management committee from 2011-16. He also co-chaired two capital campaigns for Forward Sioux Falls and one for the Boy Scouts. He was active in many other areas of the community, including serving on the board of directors for South Dakota Public Broadcasting and Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools.