Dawn Backer, Manager of the SD Rehabilitation Center for the Blind (SDRC)

Dawn Backer is the Manager of the SD Rehabilitation Center for the Blind (SDRC) in Sioux Falls, SD. Dawn began working for SD Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired (SBVI) in 1985 as a Rehabilitation Teacher, shortly after she became the staff Low Vision Therapist and was then appointed SDRC Manager in 2005. Dawn currently serves as President of SD RehabACTion, participates on the ADA Picnic Celebration, the National Disability Employment Awareness Month committee and the United Way Disability Impact Team. Dawn received a bachelor’s degree from South Dakota State University in Family and Consumer Science. She also attended Salus University formerly, Pennsylvania College of Optometry, and is a certified low vision therapist.

Jennifer Erickson, Co-Owner of Camille’s Sidewalk Café

Jennifer Erickson worked for Marathon Oil for 12 years as a process engineer and natural gas marketer after obtaining her Chemical Engineering degree at Tulsa University. She also obtained her MBA at Houston Baptist University. Her desire to leave the big city of Houston led her to seek employment closer to her family ties in the Midwest. She was National Marketer for Mid-American Energy in Sioux City, IA for 2 years. She left Mid-American Energy in 1996 to join a start-up company located in Sioux Falls, PAM Natural Gas. She joined PAM when the company had 1 customer and was asked to buy into the partnership after 1 year. The company grew to 175 customers with revenues of $13 million dollars after 3 years. The company was sold in 1998. Jennifer then became a trend trader of securities and taught herself option strategies and market technical and fundamental analysis techniques. She has also done extensive traveling with trips to Germany, England, France, Kenya, Greece, China, Ecuador, Galapagos Islands, and Peru. She is interested in becoming more involved with the community, obtaining satisfaction from her job responsibilities and creating a profitable business. These interests led her open Camille’s Sidewalk Café in 2003 along with co-owner Beth Behal.

Julie Benz, Assistant Vice President of Ortho/Neuro/Rehab, Avera McKennan

Julie Benz has over 29 years of experience in healthcare, working as a physical therapist and in leadership in rehabilitation at Avera McKennan. Julie is the business liaison for Avera McKennan on the Project SEARCH Transition Program. She currently serves on the Board of Directors at the YWCA in Sioux Falls Julie received a BS Degree from the University of South Dakota, Certificate of Physical Therapy from the University of Iowa and a Master’s Degree in Administrative Studies from the University of South Dakota.

Julie Briggs, Executive Director for Business Resource Network (BRN)

After working many years in Retail Marketing, Julie’s career interest changed due to personal reasons. In 1997, she pursued a career in Special Education (USD) and served as a Service Coordinator for the Birth to Three program for Minnehaha County. In 2001, she accepted a position as Director of Training for South Dakota Parent Connection - traveling the state teaching Special Education laws, as well as other areas, advocating for children with special needs. Julie also worked as a Development Officer for Sanford Children’s Miracle Network.

Julie currently serves on the Board of Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired (SBVI), Disability Awareness Commission (DAC), and Project SEARCH Business Advisory Council. Julie also serves as co-chair of the ADA Celebration; is a member of the Sioux Falls School District Special Education Advisory Board and Interagency Council for the Sioux Falls School District; is the State Representative for the Heartland Collaborative Genetics Group; and is a team member of Sanford Children’s Down Syndrome clinic and the Buddy Walk.

Julie has two grown daughters – Jessica and Lindsey; and a son – Scotty, 17 years old, who was born with Down Syndrome.
 

Pat Lund, Director of Human Resources at Grand Falls Casino Resort, LLC

Pat Lund obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Resources from South Dakota State University in 1988. She has been certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and has served in various local, state and national volunteer roles for the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). Prior to joining Grand Falls, Pat was the Director of Human Resources for Total Card, Inc. in Sioux Falls, SD for 8 years, and as the Vice President of Human Resources for 7 years with The Credit Store, Inc., also located in Sioux Falls, SD. Pat currently serves as the Vice Chair of the South Dakota Workforce Development Council and is the current Membership Director for the South Dakota Society for Human Resource Management.

Mary Medema, Director of Workforce Development
Sioux Falls Development Foundation / Forward Sioux Falls

Mary’s 22 year career as a human resources professional in Sioux Falls included experiences in retail, financial services and the staffing industry. Medema joined the Sioux Falls Development Foundation as Director of Workforce Development in January of 1998. In this position she develops and directs initiatives that promote the growth, diversity and quality of the area workforce in order to meet the present and future needs of the business community.

Mary has been active on community Boards and Committees throughout her career. In addition to representing Forward Sioux Falls on the Board of the Sioux Empire Housing Partnership, she currently serves on the Leadership Sioux Falls Executive Committee and the Board of Directors for Junior Achievement of the Sioux Empire.

Colleen Moran, Assistant City Attorney/ ADA Coordinator/Human Relations Manager for the City of Sioux Falls.

Colleen Moran has been a practicing attorney for the past 13 years. Before working for the City, she worked at the Minnehaha County State’s Attorney’s Office and served as a law clerk for the South Dakota State Supreme Court. Prior to that, she worked as a school teacher and counselor. Colleen received her Juris Doctorate from the University of South Dakota. She also has a Master’s Degree from USD and a Bachelor’s Degree from Dakota State University. Colleen is the City’s liaison to the Human Relations Commission, the Disability Awareness Commission, and the ADA Accessibility Review Board. She currently serves as the Chairman of the CASA Board of Directors and the Help!Line Center Board of Directors. She is also a member of the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame Board of Directors.

Vicki Nelson, Senior Rehabilitation Counselor for DRS

Vicki Nelson is a Senior Rehabilitation Counselor for the Division of Rehabilitation Services in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Vicki has worked in the field of disabilities for over 25 years. She currently serves on the Mayor’s Disability Awareness Commission, President Elect of SD RehabACTion, National Disability Employment Awareness Month committee member, and Project SEARCH Transition Program committee member. She has a BA Degree from South Dakota State University and a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from California State University in Sacramento.

Scott Nelson, Co-Owner and CEO of EtechGlobal, LLC.

Scott Nelson is a life-long resident of Sioux Falls, SD and has been the co-owner and CEO of EtechGlobal, LLC., an internet systems provider, since its inception in 2001. He is also the owner and founder of Scooter Designs, a web development company created in 1994. Previously Nelson was the owner of Bike Barn, Inc., one of the nation’s top 100 bicycle retailers, where he was employed for 28 years.

Nelson is active in the local community and served on the Sioux Falls School System’s Capital Improvement Committee (CIP) from 1996-2000 in an effort to provide a basis for equity across the district for all facilities. Nelson’s current focus has been on the provision of clean drinking water and food for the less fortunate both locally and globally.

Terry Rist, Senior Commerical Credit Analyst, Home Federal Bank

Terry Rist obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Augustana College and began a career in banking in 1993 with Norwest Bank. In March of 2009 he obtained employment with Home Federal Bank in Sioux Falls as a Senior Commercial Credit Analyst. Terry became paralyzed in 1983 as a result of a diving accident and has used a wheelchair for mobility since.

Dan Simon, Human Resources Manager for CCC Information Services

Dan Simon has been the Human Resources Manager for CCC Information Services since May 2007. Dan spent 16 years with MCI Worldcom, 14 of those in Human Resources. Dan’s roles and responsibilities varied as he relocated with the company three times throughout the US. Dan graduate of National College in Rapid City, May 1986 and received his Senior Professional in Human Resources certificate in 1999.

Cindy Stewart, District Supervisor of DRS

Cindy Stewart obtained her Bachelor’s Degree from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD in 1972. She completed her Master’s training at Stout University in Menominee, Wisconsin in 1979, and has been a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor since 1988. Cindy has served as the District Supervisor of DRS since 1995. She was a Rehabilitation Counselor with DRS from 1979 until her promotion in 1995. Other employment included working as a Social Worker for the State of South Dakota in Watertown, Title XX Coordinator with ATCO serving individuals with developmental disabilities living in group homes, and Social Worker in a group home for delinquent girls in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Cindy has served on the DAC and ADA Celebration Planning Committee. Cindy currently serves on the Interagency Transition Council and is the NDEAM event Chairperson.