South Dakota Chamber Leader to Retire After 27 Years of Service

David Owen, a longtime fixture in South Dakota’s business community, will retire later this year after serving as president of the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce and Industry for nearly three decades.

Owen took the helm of the Chamber in November 1998. Over his 27-year tenure, he became a leading voice in state policy, serving as the Chamber’s chief lobbyist for every legislative session during that time. He also played a key leadership role in nine statewide ballot measure campaigns, helping to shape the policy landscape in South Dakota.

Born and raised in Rapid City, Owen graduated from Stevens High School and earned a degree from the University of South Dakota’s School of Education. He began his career with the Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce as an assistant manager before quickly rising through the ranks of chamber leadership. Within a year, he became president of the Pittsburg, Kansas, Chamber of Commerce. In 1981, he was hired to lead the Missoula, Montana, Chamber of Commerce, a post he held for 11 years. He went on to lead the Montana State Chamber of Commerce for five years before returning to South Dakota in 1998.

Former South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard, who worked with Owen during his administration from 2011 to 2019, praised his leadership. “David Owen has been a smart, strategic, articulate, and effective leader of the South Dakota Chamber,” Daugaard said. “He also has a great sense of humor! He’ll leave big shoes to fill, and I wish him well in retirement.”

Jeff Griffin, president and CEO of the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce, echoed those sentiments. “In January 2020, I began my role in South Dakota and David went out of his way to ensure I was connected with public policy decision makers in Pierre and across the state. I will always be grateful to him for taking that time to welcome me. His deep knowledge of policy, commitment to collaboration and dedication to making our state a better place to live and work have made a lasting impact.”

Owen’s retirement will be effective at the end of August. Michael Bender, chair of the State Chamber and president of Bender Companies in Sioux Falls, announced the creation of a search committee to identify Owen’s successor. Dana Dykhouse, CEO of First PREMIER Bank, will lead that effort.