Nov. 21, 2025

Todd Ernst, president and founder of Ernst Capital Group, was honored Thursday with the Spirit of Sioux Falls Award from the Sioux Falls Development Foundation.

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

“This award honors the legacies of men who committed their lives to the economic development of the Sioux Falls area,” Development Foundation board chairman Kent Cutler said. “Todd has embodied that same commitment through his work in creating the financial model that helped us to develop Foundation Park.”

Ernst served on the foundation’s board of directors from 2016-22 and as chairman in 2020. During his tenure, he created the financial model used to develop Foundation Park – the state’s first megasite – which encompassed over 800 acres at its inception in 2015.

The financial model helped the Development Foundation secure support from a consortium of local banks to finance the park’s grading and infrastructure, creating build-ready sites to spur development. Today, Foundation Park is home to 13 businesses and 3,000 employees and has generated millions of dollars for the city of Sioux Falls.

“When Foundation Park was farmland, Todd Ernst saw the vision of what it could be,” said Bob Mundt, president and CEO of the Sioux Falls Development Foundation. “Thanks to his financial modeling and expertise in finance and development, a road map for Foundation Park was established. The Sioux Falls Development Foundation is grateful for the time and talents Todd dedicated to the foundation and Sioux Falls.”

View a video tribute below: