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Board President
Kris has been with Dakota Abstract & Title Co., Inc. for 6 years as a Licensed Abstractor and Real Estate Closing Manager. She works daily with the research, examining, purchases and refinances of real estate transactions. Kris has a Bachelors in Business from Huron University and has more than 16 years in the Finance and Real Estate markets in the Brookings and Sioux Falls area. Kris is very active within the community as President of the Downtown Brookings Inc. Board of Directors, Health and Safety Services Coordinator for the Brookings County Red Cross, an EMT, a certified Fire Fighter, Team Leader and Trainer for the Brookings Community Emergency Response Team, Advisor for the SD Chamber of Commerce's Youth Business Adventure and is active in a number of Veterans organizations (VFW, American Legion, 40/8). She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, traveling, the outdoors and riding her motorcycle. Kris and her husband Todd have a son Zach and a daughter Megan, both of whom are Seniors at Brookings High School.
Jim has been married for 29 years, and has 4 children. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1981 and has spent the last 28 years in the banking industry. Jim works for MetaBank in Brookings as VP of Commercial lending and is very active in the community with involvement in Kiwanis, Downtown Brookings Inc., and Leadership Brookings. Jim is also involved in theater with the Brookings Community Theater with leading roles in "Harvey" and "The Odd Couple". Besides the theater, Jim enjoys singing, having started with the Minnesota Boys Choir when he was six, and sings everything from Opera and Rock & Roll, to Country Music. He's even sung the National Anthem in front of 40,000 people for a Twins game at the Metro Dome. Involved with Prairie Striders, Jim is an avid runner completing both the Brookings Marathon and the Twin City Marathon last year. He also spends lots of time up at his family's farm by Veblen, South Dakota, homesteaded by his Grandpa in 1899, and likes to hunt pheasant, turkey, geese and whitetail deer. He is currently living in Volga while his wife is living back in North Branch, Minnesota trying to sell their house. Once the house is sold he intends to make Brookings his permanent home.
Troy Hicks was born and raised in Brookings, except for a brief time when he was young he lived in Denver. He has a degree in Computer Science. After graduating, he moved to Phoenix AZ for 4½ years and "programmed his butt off." He moved back to Brookings to help the family business start up video lottery, and he took over the pool and dart leagues (which he is still doing). Troy loves to golf, and for the last 5 years he has been playing co-ed softball. He is currently married to a wonderful wife by the name of Kelly, who manages the Comfort Inn here in Brookings. They have three excellent kids, Megen, Ryker, and Ethan. They also have one grandson, Tade. Troy and Kelly have owned the Lantern Lounge for the last 14 years.
Secretary
Jeni Norwood started working with AvailAbility Employment Services in 2008 as a Staffing Specialist and was promoted to the Branch Manager position in 2009. She has been in HR for the past 10 years and I still learns something new everyday! Jeni obtained a degree in Criminal Justice and currently working towards another in Business Management. She shares her hours throughout the community as Director at Large for the Brookings Area Human Resource Association (BAHRA), Visitor host for Business Networking International "Business Builders" (BNI), Brookings Chamber Ambassador, and Student Ambassador for National American University.
Jerry has been married for 22 years, and has 3 children. He graduated from the North Dakota State College of Science in 1985 and has worked for Daktronics Inc since that time. During the past 24 years at Daktronics Jerry has held several positions and is currently an account manager in the commercial market. Prior to being an account manager, Jerry spent 14 years as a project manager which allowed him travel and spend time in many areas of the United States.
In 2005 Jerry and his wife Tammy purchased the Ram and Ohare's which they currently operate today.
Les is a licensed architect & leader of designArc team. Les grew up in eastern South Dakota. His early years in a rural community adjacent to Sioux Falls and his teen years close to Aberdeen and then graduated from Groton High School. Les attended two years at South Dakota State University in Brookings and then pursued his architectural education at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, receiving a Masters of Architecture in June of 1994. Les's broad background includes more than 15 years design experience for many commercial, hospitality, healthcare, education, religious, and residential buildings. His experience extends throughout South Dakota and Minnesota where he has been responsible for more than $60 million of development and residential work. Les is licensed in both South Dakota and Minnesota and is NCARB certified. He is also a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
Les's hobbies, outside of his professional interests, are hunting, fishing, and spending quality time with family.