Community Leaders Join Chamber Board of Directors

Five new members begin three-year terms with the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce.

As directed by the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce bylaws, each year five individuals are nominated to serve three-year terms on the board of directors. A nominating committee is formed to identify and recruit the new board members, who are then reviewed and approved by the current board. The following Chamber members have been elected and will begin their terms of service Oct. 1, 2026: Dr. Cory Clasemann, Southeast Technical College; Joni Ekstrum, South Dakota Biotech; Brandon Maddox, Silencer Central; Andy Munce, Sanford Health; and Karlie Thiesse, Marsh Agency.

The following board members were also elected to serve one-year terms on the Chamber’s executive committee: Chair Dr. José-Marie Griffiths, Dakota State University; Chair-elect Catherine Dekkenga, JLG Architects; Vice Chair Matt Paulson, MarketBeat; Treasurer Dr. Ronald Place, Avera Health; and Immediate Past Chair Tamien Dysart, Think 3D Solutions. Jeff Griffin, Chamber president and CEO, is also a member of the executive committee, serving as its secretary.

The Chamber’s board of directors is rounded out by the following members: Sarah Carnes, 9 Clouds; Scott Erickson, American Bank & Trust; Stacy Jones, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire; Mindy Kroll, Time Management Systems; Reggie Kuipers, Bender Commercial Real Estate; Tim Meagher, Vanguard Hospitality; Ryan Punt, SDN Communications; Mark Quasney, Lloyd Companies; Joshua Shields, POET; and Candice Van Liere, George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory.

The following representatives also serve as ex officio members: Mayor Christine Erickson, City of Sioux Falls; Dean Karsky, Minnehaha County Commission; Dr. Jamie Nold, Sioux Falls Public School System; and Jay Woudstra, Sioux Falls Christian Schools Association.

The following retiring directors will be recognized at the Chamber’s 120th Annual Meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 13: Miles Beacom, PREMIER Bankcard; Selene Zamorano, SD Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Kyle Groos, Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools; Tiffani Landeen, Lincoln County Commission; and Bill Gassen, Sanford Health.

Dr. Cory Clasemann serves as President of Southeast Technical College, a role he assumed in July 2024. He previously held leadership positions at two- and four-year institutions in Indiana and Nebraska. Clasemann also serves on the Southeast Technical College Foundation Board of Directors.

Joni Ekstrum is Executive Director of South Dakota Biotech, the statewide association representing South Dakota’s bioscience industry. She works with industry, government and academic partners to advance innovation, advocacy, workforce development and business growth. A recognized leader in economic development and public policy, Ekstrum serves on several nonprofit and industry boards across the region.

Brandon Maddox is the Founder and CEO of Silencer Central and BANISH Suppressors. Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Sioux Falls, Silencer Central serves customers in 42 states where suppressors are legal. Maddox earned a pharmacy degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an MBA from Duke University. He also serves on the National Shooting Sports Foundation Board of Governors and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation Executive Committee.

Andy Munce is President and CEO of Sanford Health Sioux Falls Region. He began his career with Sanford Health in 2004 as a registered nurse. Munce currently serves on the boards of the American Red Cross – Eastern South Dakota Chapter, the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations and the Children’s Home Society of South Dakota Foundation. He also recently served as a co-chair of the Forward Sioux Falls IX campaign and has contributed to numerous other community and civic organizations throughout his career.

Karlie Thiesse is Director of Community Relations at Marsh Agency. She is actively involved in several community organizations, including the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce Diplomat Committee, Downtown Rotary, the Sanford Health Foundation Board, the Habitat for Humanity Board and the Forward Sioux Falls IX campaign cabinet. She has served on the Diplomat Committee for six years. In 2023, Thiesse was recognized as a recipient of the Young Professionals Network Four Under 40 Award.