Serving on the Yankton Thrive Board of Directors takes time and dedication. Throughout the year, this group of member volunteers represents the membership and leads the organization in policy, advocacy, member benefits, and so much more! The Thrive Board of Directors has four categories to help fulfill adequate representation from a variety of business types:
Fundamental Directors are appointed by their respective entities annually.
Amy Leon - Thrive Board Vice Chair, City of Yankton
Steph Moser, City of Yankton
Bridget Benson, First Dakota National Bank
Don Kettering, Yankton County
Dr. Wayne Kindle, Yankton School District
Dr. Mark Brown, Mount Marty University
Mike Marlow, Marlow, Woodward & Huff, Prof. LLC
Foundational Directors represent entities with 50 or fewer full-time employees. (Term expirations are listed within the parenthesis).
Lauren Kathol, Mayer Signs (2027)
Jason Orr, FloorTec (2027)
Mandi Gause, Boston Shoes to Boots (2027)
Brad Hofer, Gerstner Oil Co. (2026)
Ken Kopetsky, Kopetsky's Ace Hardware (2028)
Peggy Olson, Slumberland (2027)
Dan Specht - Thrive Board Vice Chair, Vision Real Estate Services (2026)
Cornerstone Directors represent the top ten investors in the previous capital campaign and/or the top ten Thrive membership due paying entities. (Term expirations are listed in the parenthesis).
Victoria Hanson, Avera
James Grotenhuis, CorTrust Bank (2026)
Brian Jensen, Hydro
Kevin Moe - Thrive Board Chair, fnbo (2026)
Steve Slowey, Slowey Construction (2027)
Rob Stephenson - Thrive Board Vice Chair, First Dakota National Bank (2027)
Brad Wenande, Northwestern Energy (2028)
At-Large directors can represent any Thrive member. (Term expirations are listed in the parenthesis).
Kelly Kneifl, Kneifl Tymber (2028)
Lynn Peterson, Elkhorn Valley Bank (2027)
Barb Rezac - Thrive Board Vice Chair, Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls (2027)
Doug Ekeren - Thrive Board Vice Chair, Individual Member (2026)
Brian Steward, Yankton Thrive
*This is a non-voting position