Beth Davis, President

In her fifteen years with the organization, Beth has raised more than $12M in private capital and attracted resources to develop innovative products and services to support rural development. Prior to coming to Dakota Resources, Beth was a partner in Midwest Mediation and Facilitation, Inc., a conflict resolution firm specializing in business, real estate, and environmental disputes. She has prior experience in economic development as the interim director for the Entrepreneur Network for Women and as a coordinator for the Center for Enterprise Facilitation. Beth also directed a statewide community health education non-profit and started several private business enterprises. beth@dakotaresources.org

Cheryl Leasure, Communication & Event Coordinator

Cheryl assists with administrative needs for the Dakota Resources office including communication from the organization and coordinating all Dakota Resources events. Prior to coming to Dakota Resources, Cheryl worked in customer service and marketing for a private label food packaging company. cheryl@dakotaresources.org

Kristi Wagner, Program Developer

Kristi markets and oversees the community capacity building programs for Dakota Resources and serves as a Site Coordinator for Dakota Rising. She is a trained facilitator and has delivered Dakota Resources LeadershipPlentySD and Creating Value Added Communities programs. Kristi is the owner and CEO of the Rushmore Center for Civic Leadership providing her clients with non-profit management & capital campaign fundraising; organization and workplace team building; training & educational workplace seminars. Her previous positions were in economic development, leadership training, fundraising, sales, marketing and public relations. Currently, she serves as a member of the board of directors to the Rural Learning Center for South Dakota, University of South Dakota Chiesman Endowment for Civic Education, University of South Dakota Farber Center and the South Dakota Issues Forums Steering Committee. 
kristi@dakotaresources.org

Dick Werner, Credit Officer

Dick serves as Credit Officer for Dakota Resources. He has extensive experience in banking and a genuine enthusiasm for community development. Dick is a former board member of Dakota Resources and is Co-Owner of Schulte, TA, Inc., a power line construction company and has farming and other investment interests. He previously served as President of various locations for Wells Fargo Bank throughout South Dakota, Minnesota and Montana. Dick currently serves as a Representative in the South Dakota Legislator representing the counties of Beadle and Kingsbury. Prior to his legislative service, Dick served 6 years as a Beadle County Commissioner. dick@dakotaresources.org

Lin VanHofwegen, Operations Manager

Lin VanHofwegen manages the operations of Dakotas America (DA). Through her leadership, DA has fully utilized all previously awarded allocations totaling $130MM. She oversees a portfolio of more than $120MM in QLICIs that has not incurred losses. Lin has managed the operations of DA since its beginning and successfully oversees all aspects of its compliance monitoring and reporting. She is responsible for CDFI Fund reporting and portfolio risk assessment and coordinates and directs the activities of DA’s consultants and NMTC counsel. Lin formerly served with member services at East River Electric, which included work with the REED Fund and the Value-Added Ag Development Center, then run by current USDA Rural Development Under Secretary Dallas Tonsager. She is working on her Masters in Christian Leadership with an emphasis in Community Development.