Governor Kristi Noem announced that Kelly Hepler, Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks (GFP), will retire, effective December 15, 2020.

“Kelly is an accomplished leader and has been a fierce advocate in the fish and wildlife resource management field for over 40 years,” said Governor Noem. “He has been a dedicated public servant to the State of South Dakota since 2015, navigating countless challenges to protect our state’s natural resources. As he retires, I know he will enjoy even more time in our great outdoors, hunting with his dog, Marty. I wish him all the best in his next chapter.”

Hepler was appointed Secretary of the Game, Fish and Parks by Governor Dennis Daugaard in 2015 and has continued to serve under Governor Noem. Hepler began his career as a fisheries biologist for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG). He served ADFG in various management and leadership roles, including assistant director, and then director, of the ADFG Division of Sport Fish.

“I have been extremely blessed in my career to combine my love and passion for the outdoors with what I do for a living,” said Secretary Kelly Hepler. “The highlight of my career has been serving as secretary of GFP in my home state of South Dakota. It has been my honor to work with the department to provide sustainable outdoor recreational opportunities while cultivating stewardship and connecting people with our world-class outdoors. I am extremely proud of all of our staff and I will never forget my time with the department. I am grateful to Governor Noem and our department staff who continue to champion getting families outdoors every single day.”

Hepler was born in Deadwood and graduated from Spearfish High School. He received his bachelor’s degree in fish and wildlife management from Montana State University in 1978. Hepler and his wife, Carol, reside north of Pierre. They have two grown children and are avid fans of the Green Bay Packers.

• Dr. Andrea Bjornestad: SDSU Extension Mental Health Specialist – Department of Counseling and Human Sciences: Awarded Tenure and Promoted to Associate Professor
• Dr. Lisa Elliott: SDSU Extension Commodity Marketing Specialist – Ness School of Economics and Management: Awarded Tenure and Promoted to Associate Professor
• Dr. Matt Elliott: SDSU Extension Agribusiness Specialist – Ness School of Economics and Management: Awarded Tenure and Promoted to Associate Professor
• Leacey Brown: SDSU Extension Gerontology Field Specialist – SDSU West River Research and Extension: Promoted from Field Specialist 1 to Field Specialist 2
• Megan Erickson: SDSU Extension Nutrition Field Specialist – SDSU Extension Aberdeen Regional Center: Promoted from Field Specialist 1 to Field Specialist 2
• Anthony Bly: SDSU Extension Soil Health Field Specialist – SDSU Extension Sioux Falls Regional Center: Promoted from Field Specialist 2 to Field Specialist 3
• Connie Strunk: SDSU Extension Plant Pathology Field Specialist – SDSU Extension Sioux Falls Regional Center: Promoted from Field Specialist 2 to Field Specialist 3

• Jane Amiotte: SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor – Pennington County
• Megan Erickson: SDSU Extension Nutrition Field Specialist – SDSU Extension Aberdeen Regional Center
• Aminah Hassoun: SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor – Pine Ridge Indian Reservation
• Lauren Hollenbeck: SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor – Clay, Union and Yankton Counties
• Laura Kahler: SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor – Gregory and Tripp Counties
• David Kringen: SDSU Extension Water Resources Field Specialist – SDSU Extension Mitchell Regional Center
• Debra Lessman: SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor – Deuel County
• Bonnie Nehlich: SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor – Edmunds County
• Jackie Rau: SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor – McPherson County
• Nathan Skadsen: SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor – Minnehaha County
• Kathleen Stern: SDSU Extension Senior Secretary – SDSU Extension Mitchell Regional Center
• Dr. Adam Varenhorst: SDSU Extension Entomology Specialist – SDSU Campus, Brookings
• Prairey Walkling: SDSU Extension Family and Community Health Field Specialist – SDSU West River Research and Extension Research and Extension, Rapid City
• Dr. Tong Wang: SDSU Extension Advance Production Economics Specialist – SDSU Campus, Brookings
• Natasha Young Bear: SDSU Extension Nutrition Assistant/Support Staff – Pine Ridge Reservation

• Shannon Hamm: SDSU Extension Program Assistant – SDSU West River Research and Extension, Rapid City

• Dr. Russ Daly: SDSU Extension Veterinarian and State Public Health Veterinarian – SDSU Campus, Brookings
• Adele Harty: SDSU Extension Cow Calf Field Specialist – SDSU West River Research and Extension, Rapid City
• Audrey Rider: SDSU Extension Early Childhood Field Specialist – SDSU Extension Watertown Regional Center
• Connie Strunk: SDSU Extension Plant Pathology Field Specialist – SDSU Extension Sioux Falls Regional Center

• John Keimig: SDSU Extension Youth Ag Safety Field Specialist – SDSU Campus, Brookings
• Sonia Mack: SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor – Brookings County

• Tracey Erickson: SDSU Extension Dairy Field Specialist – SDSU Extension Watertown Regional Center

• Kathie Weight: Senior Secretary – SDSU Extension Administration and State 4-H Office: Retired October 30
• Paul Thares: SDSU Extension Community Vitality Field Specialist – Lemmon Regional Extension Office: Retiring December 31

• Dr. Amber Letcher: SDSU Extension Youth Development State Specialist – SDSU Campus, Brookings: Awarded the F.O. Butler Award for Service in Extension and Outreach by South Dakota State University
• Patrick Wagner: SDSU Extension Entomology Field Specialist – SDSU West River Research and Extension, Rapid City: Awarded the Achievement Award by the National Association of Agricultural Professionals (NACAA)
• Kaycee Jones: SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor – Haakon and Jackson Counties: Awarded the Achievement in Service Award by the National Association of 4-H Youth Development Professionals
• Becca Tullar: SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor – Brown County: Awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the National Association of 4-H Youth Development Professionals

Governor Kristi Noem announced that Joel Jundt will serve as Interim Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Transportation.

“Joel is well-respected throughout the transportation industry and will continue moving the department forward during this interim period,” said Governor Noem. “I am pleased Joel has agreed to continue serving South Dakota in this capacity, and I look forward to working with him to make South Dakota safer, stronger, and healthier.”

Jundt will begin serving following the retirement of current Secretary of Transportation Darin Bergquist on Nov. 13, 2020.

“Darin has been a tremendous servant to the people of South Dakota for over 20 years, including 13 years as Secretary of Transportation, and his service will be greatly missed,” continued Governor Noem. “He’s helped our state navigate countless challenges over the years. We wish him all the best in his retirement.”

A native of Rapid City, Jundt has served in various roles within the Department of Transportation including his current role as deputy cabinet secretary, former Rapid City region and operations engineer, and director of planning and engineering.

“I’d like to thank the Governor for this opportunity,” said Jundt. “I look forward to continue working with Governor Noem and the dedicated staff at the Department of Transportation.”

Jundt graduated from South Dakota School of Mines in 1985 with a degree in civil engineering and went to work for the department immediately after graduation.

Jundt lives in Pierre with his wife, Chris.

Governor Kristi Noem is now accepting applications for the Governor’s Office spring internship program.

Student interns will work with staff on various projects depending on interests and strengths. This internship will be heavily involved in the 2021 legislative session. They will be given the opportunity to observe the lawmaking process in action. Additional duties include aiding the governor’s general counsel, constituent services, and communications team; conducting policy research; preparing policy briefings; and staffing events. Internships provide students with first-hand knowledge of the state government and the functions of a governor’s office.

College students who would like to be considered for an internship should submit a resume, cover letter, and letter of recommendation to Julie.Muldoon@state.sd.us by Friday, November 27, 2020.

U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) will speak to school nutrition staff in Kimball concerning the Farm to School Beef program. Johnson will also visit Stanley County Elementary School in Fort Pierre and St. Joseph Elementary School in Pierre to present bikes to students along with the Strider Bike Education Foundation.