Leadership

John S. "Jack" Marsh, Board President Sioux Falls
Occupation:Co-Founder/Co-Chair, South Dakota News Watch

Lifelong journalist Jack Marsh, a retired media and foundation executive, is a 2020 inductee in the South Dakota Hall of Fame, honored for his commitment to excellence, truth, ethics, human rights and diversity. Jack has been recognized with distinguished service and lifetime achievement awards from the Native American Journalists Association, South Dakota Newspaper Association, University of South Dakota and Pi Lambda Phi. Jack was taken as a hunka (adopted) brother by the Hunkpapa Lakota on the Standing Rock Reservation in 2015. He is co-founder of South Dakota News Watch and has served on multiple nonprofit boards. He is past chair of News Watch, Sioux Falls Board of Ethics, Face It TOGETHER and the Elimination of Prejudice Foundation. Jack is a native of New York and earned a BA from Baldwin Wallace University. He and his wife, Betty, a retired school counselor, have two daughters, Dr. Elizabeth Jensen of Garretson, SD, and Colleen Olson of Kansas City, MO, and seven grandchildren.

Amy Koenig, Board Vice President Rapid City
Occupation: VP - Governance, Corporate Secretary and Deputy General Counsel, Black Hills Corporation

Amy is VP—Governance, Corporate Secretary and Deputy General Counsel, Black Hills Corporation. She is a member of the South Dakota State Bar, the Wyoming State Bar, the Association of Corporate Counsel, the Society of Governance Professionals and the National Association of Corporate Directors. She is a certified governance professional and serves as an advisor for the Women in Leadership Program at the University of North Dakota. Amy’s hometown is Yankton, SD. She earned a BS in ChemE at South Dakota Mines, and a JD from the University of South Dakota School of Law. Amy has two children: Mason and Ellie.

Deb Soholt, Board President Sioux Falls
Occupation: Registered Nurse, Fmr. SD State Senator, Retired Healthcare Director

Lifelong registered nurse and leader in healthcare, Deb is a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing. In 2021 she finished her eight-year term as a South Dakota State Senator from District 14 where she initiated Jolene’s Law Task Force and led the development and funding for the SD Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment. She was co-chair of the Healthcare Innovation Task Force for the National Conference of State Legislatures. Deb has served on numerous boards, such as SF Chamber, SD Board of Nursing, SD Nurses Association, SDSU Council of Trustees, Women in Balance, Ronald McDonald House and the University of Sioux Falls Center for Women. Deb’s hometown is Mayville, ND. She earned her BSN from the University of North Dakota and an MSN from South Dakota State University. She and her husband, Jerry, have three adult children: Josh, Sam, and Molly, and four grandchildren: Jake, Maya, Brooke, and Morgan.

Sally Anderson, Honorary Member, Mesquite, TX
Occupation: Retired

Sally and her husband, Ken, live in Mesquite, TX. They have five adult children. Sally is a graduate of the University of North Texas with a BA in Journalism. Sally is the great-great-granddaughter of Elizabeth Bixby Sherrard, Children’s Home Society’s founder, and as such holds an honorary seat on the Children’s Home Society Board of Directors.

Matt Benne, Rapid City, SD
Occupation: Owner/Manager, Buffalo Wild Wings

Matt is the Owner/Manager of Buffalo Wild Wings in Rapid City, SD. His hometown is Rapid City and he graduated from Augustana University with a degree in Business Administration. Matt and his wife, Sarah, have three children: Ezra, Lane and Reagan. He has volunteered with Special Olympics and enjoys spending time with family and friends, golfing, skiing and anything in the outdoors.

Darla Crown, Rapid City

Darla is retired from the South Dakota Army National Guard and the US Army. Darla belongs to Rushmore Rotary, Women’s Veterans of the Black Hills and American Legion #246. She serves on the Central States Fair Foundation Board, Veteran’s Court, Rushmore Rotary, the ESGR (Employer Support of Guard and Reserve) and on the Liturgy Committee at Blessed Sacrament Church. Darla is originally from Wall. She received her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Black Hills State University and her Masters of Education and Masters of Science in Guidance Counseling and Human Resource Development from South Dakota State University. Darla is married to Douglas and they live in Rapid City.

Paulette Davidson, Rapid City
Occupation: President/CEO, Monument Health

Paulette is President and CEO of Monument Health in Rapid City, SD. She is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and a Certified Member of the American College of Medical Practice Executives. Paulette also serves on the boards of Elevate Rapid City, South Dakota Chamber of Commerce, South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations and Monument Health Systems. Paulette’s hometown is Waukegan, IL. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a BS in Business Administration and earned her MBA from the University of Notre Dame. She and her husband, Dru, live in Rapid City and have three adult children: Alanna, Payton and Alyssa. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, horseback riding and spending time with family

Tim Dougherty, Sioux Falls
Occupation: Lawyer, Dougherty & Dougherty, LLP

Tim is a partner in the law firm of Dougherty & Dougherty, LLP. His practice includes lobbying, business and real estate transactions, wills and trusts, probate and family law. Tim is a member of the Board of Bar Commissioners of the State Bar of South Dakota and serves on the board of managers of Dougherty Trust Company LLC. He formerly served on the boards of Avera at Home LLC, Friends of South Dakota Public Broadcasting, South Dakota Art Museum, Wegner Arboretum Society, Washington Pavilion of Arts and Sciences, Senior Citizen Services Inc., and Sioux Empire Fair Association. He also served as a member of the South Dakota Transportation Commission, the Governor’s Commission on Child Support and the Sioux Falls Board of Adjustment. Tim is a lifelong resident of Sioux Falls. He graduated from the University of South Dakota and received his law degree from the University of South Dakota School of Law. Tim is married to Federal District Court Judge Karen E. Schreier.

Heath Ducheneaux, Kyle
Occupation: Oglala Sioux Tribe Vocational Rehabilitation Program Counselor

Heath is a Vocational Rehabilitation Program Counselor for the Oglala Sioux Tribe. His hometown is Eagle Butte, SD. Heath lives in Kyle with his family and has two childeren who fill him with immense pride. He graduated from the Oglala Lakota College with a BA in Lakota Studies in 2013. Heath formerly served on the boards of the Lakota Waldorf School in Kyle, SD, and Oaye Luta Okolakiciye in Rapid City.

Steve Flanery, Rapid City

Now retired, Steve currenlty serves on the Black Hills Area Community Foundation, South Dakota Hall of Fame, and Hanson-Larsen Memorial Park Foundation boards. Steve’s hometown is Huron, SD. He graduated from the University of South Dakota with a BS in Political Science and History. Steve and his wife, Mary Helen, live in Rapid City and have two adult children and three grandchildren. He enjoys skiing, mountain biking, traveling, reading history and biographies, good conversation, listening to music/jazz, and fine foods and wine with family and friends.

Lafawn Janis, Rapid City
Occupation: Human Relations Commission Coordinator, City of Rapid City

Lafawn works for the City of Rapid City as the Human Relations Commission Coordinator. The Commission provides space for any discrimination concerns in the community, as well as learning forums and violence prevention trainings. She is a seventh-generation member of the Oglala Lakota Tribe, born on the Pine Ridge Reservation and a longtime resident of Rapid City. Lafawn is a Black Hills State University alumni and worked as a consultant for 13 years. Lafawn has two sons, Grey and Dominic, as well as a princess pup named Lady Zsa Zsa, and a Central States Fair prize fish that won’t die, named White Snake. When Lafawn is not working, you will find her traveling, skiing, mountain biking, hiking or eating.

Laura Johnson, Reva
Occupation: Retired from Harding County Schools, Rancher, Instruction Manager with Apex

A retired educator, Laura belongs to the National Association of Music Educators and is a nationally registered EMT. Her hometown is Sturgis. She attended college in the Black Hills where she received a BA in Education and later earned an MA in Administration at Grand Canyon University. Laura and her husband, Bill, have four children: Robin, Keri, Katie and Brad, and 12 grandchildren. Her hobbies include reading, walking and sports.

Melissa Johnson, Sioux Falls
Occupation: Founder/CEO, Oh My Cupcakes! and Sweet Cream Candle Company, Writer and Speaker at Melissa J Creative

Melissa is an entrepreneur, writer and public speaker who facilitates professional development for individuals and teams of all sizes. She is a member of SME, CQ (a high level women’s professional development group) and the South Dakota Retailers Association. Melissa also serves on the VOA Foundation Board and Avera Philanthropy Council. Her hometown is Larchwood, IA. Melissa has four children: Randi, Emily, Brandon and Lyric, and one grandson, Elias. She enjoys writing, reading and hiking.

John Nooney, Rapid City
Occupation: Lawyer, Nooney & Solay, LLP

John is a partner in the law firm of Nooney & Solay, LLP. His practice focuses on complex commercial litigation. He was born and raised in Yankton, SD. He graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1984 with a law degree and an MBA. He is married to Kimberly Nooney, SVP and CFO of Black Hills Corporation. They have two children, Jared and Elizabeth. John is an avid skier and spends considerable time in Colorado pursuing his passion.

John Rozell, Sioux Falls
Occupation: Retired Businessman

Prior to his retirement, John was CEO at Tri-State Flooring. He is a CHS Director Emeritus who served as President of both the Foundation and Society Boards and is a member of the Mount Rushmore Society board of directors. John’s hometown is Rapid City. He graduated with a BA in Sociology from the University of South Dakota. He also attended the University of Colorado and University of Oklahoma three-year banking courses. He and his wife, Kay, have one adult daughter, Katy. She is married to Joe Gaspar and has two sons, Drew and Alex. Hobbies include biking, fly fishing, reading and music.

Greg Schweiss, Rapid City
Occupation: Chief Risk Officer, Pete Lien & Sons, Inc.

Greg is Chief Risk Officer at Pete Lien & Sons in Rapid City. He belongs to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and South Dakota CPA Society and serves on the boards of Blessed Sacrament Church, Western South Dakota Catholic Foundation and Youth & Family Services. Greg’s hometown is Watertown. He attended the University of South Dakota and graduated with a BS in Business Administration. Greg and his wife, Melissa, have three adult children: Erin, Jamie and Nathan. Greg’s hobbies include kids’ activities, hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities.

Chirag Shukla, Sioux Falls
Occupation: Chief Information & Technology Officer, Risk Administration Services, Inc.

Chirag is Chief Information and Technology Officer at RAS in Sioux Falls. He graduated from South Dakota State University with an MS in Engineering. Chirag has more than 25 years of experience in IT across various sectors such as finance, insurance, manufacturing, health care, public safety and academia. He mentors young talent in Sioux Falls and worldwide through well-known sites like Udacity and StackOverflow. His connection to CHS began seven years ago when his wife served as a volunteer.

Carolynn Stavenger, Sioux Falls
Occupation: Retired, Education

As a Board Director Emeritus, Carolynn has served on both the CHS and Children’s Home Foundation boards. She has volunteered at Children’s Home Shelter for Family Safety for 21 years and continues to do this weekly, as well as serving as a Big Buddy mentor. Carolynn has also been a CASA Advocate for 17 years and belongs to the Junior League of Sioux Falls. Her hometown is Sioux Falls from the third grade on. She attended Iowa State and South Dakota State University, where she earned a degree in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education. Carolynn and her husband, Jim, have three married children and seven grandchildren who live in South Dakota and Colorado. Carolynn enjoys bridge, mahjongg, baking, travel, wines, needlepoint, spending time with her grandchildren and relaxing at their home in the Black Hills.

Michelle Lavallee, President & Chief Executive Officer, Sioux Falls

Michelle’s hometown is Huron, and she continues to maintain a farm there as well as a home in Sioux Falls. Michelle and her husband, Paul, have one child, Kris, and two grandchildren, Rebecca and Deacon. Prior to assuming the CEO role at CHS, Michelle held executive level positions with Avera, University of South Dakota and Raven Industries. She earned her BS and MBA from Northwestern University in Chicago. Michelle enjoys traveling, reading, cooking, exercise and family. She is immediate Past President of the South Dakota Hall of Fame and serves on the boards of RAS and Sioux Falls Development Foundation. She is Past President of the South Dakota Symphony, Past President of Downtown Sioux Falls Rotary and Past Board Member of Ronald McDonald House, Washington Pavilion and the University of South Dakota Foundation. Michelle serves on the Advisory Council of the Beacom School of Business at the University of South Dakota.

Shannon Clark, Chief Financial Officer, Sioux Falls
Shannon grew up in Huron. She and her husband, Nathan, have two sons: “little” Nathan and Aidan. She earned an MPA from the University of South Dakota. Prior to joining the CHS team, Shannon worked for The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society doing affordable housing development for 14 years. Prior to working at Good Samaritan, Shannon worked in public accounting as an auditor for 10 years in Sioux City, IA, and Sioux Falls. Shannon enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and reading.

Jennifer Byers
Occupation: Chief of Staff

Deanna’s background includes years of experience in the healthcare industry. She has held executive leadership roles within rapidly-changing environments, including acute and critical care settings at Mayo and Avera McKennan, acute behavioral healthcare and community health nursing. Deanna transitioned from direct care responsibility to oversight of quality and accreditation success across the healthcare continuum as SVP of Quality at Avera where multiple licensures and accreditations for different areas of the care continuum were achieved. As leader of the innovative Avera eCARE platform for virtual care delivery to the rural and unserved populations, she experienced the necessity of support through advocacy and public policy. Deanna and her husband, Dan, live in Brandon, where they raised three children: Mandy, Kelly and Matt and are now enjoying their five grandchildren. Family camping, cribbage and card night are among her interests.

Jon Mammenga, Chief Philanthropy Officer Sioux Falls
Jon grew up in Marion and currently lives in Sioux Falls. He and his wife, Jenny, have six-year-old twins, Wilson and Sloane. Prior to joining the CHS team and Foundation, Jon worked for six and half years in various fundraising and leadership positions with the University of South Dakota Foundation. Most recently Jon spent three and a half years as the Associate Vice President for Development at Augustana University. He earned his BA and MPA from The University of South Dakota. Jon holds the Certified Fundraising Executive credential and has a Certificate in Fundraising Management from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Jon enjoys golfing, travel, time with friends and family, University of South Dakota sporting events and attending Wilson and Sloane’s many activities. Jon is a member of Sioux Falls Downtown Rotary, he is also a classroom volunteer for Junior Achievement and serves on the Resource Development Committee for Lost&Found.

Allison Sanderson, Chief Operating Officer Sioux Falls
Allison came to CHS as a leader in Human Resources from Southeastern Behavioral where she led HR for five years. Allison holds a Senior Certified Professional Certificate, the highest certification available through SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management)