Category: Moving Sioux Falls Forward

Moving Sioux Falls Forward: Paradigm Lumber

Posted on by leahb

An immersive experience for contractors and DIYers is waiting with a new showroom and lumberyard for Paradigm Lumber.

It opened late last year at 3335 N. Lewis Ave., supporting the needs of residential and commercial projects.

A picture of a house

“Access to quality building materials is key to supporting area growth,” said Bob Mundt, president and CEO of the Sioux Falls Development Foundation. “Paradigm Lumber has an impressive new showroom that will appeal to anyone considering a building project.”

Here’s a closer look at the business, courtesy of general manager Doran Horsely.

A picture of a man standing in front of a sliding exterior door

Business name: Paradigm Lumber LLC

Year founded: We began operations in 2020 due to material procurement issues caused by COVID-19 — knowing what we were going through was not isolated to just us. We transitioned to a retail yard in late 2022 to service the Sioux Falls metro area.

A picture of a warehouse with lumber on shelves

Total employees in the Sioux Falls area: 12

CEO/lead executive in Sioux Falls: Rob Broin, co-owner and president

A picture of a showroom with siding, roofing, windows, and paint products on display

How would you describe your organization to someone not familiar with it?

We are the only locally owned, full-service lumberyard in Sioux Falls. We can help with all your building needs and have knowledgeable staff to guide you through the process.

A picture of a woman sitting at a computer showing a rendering of a building

From drafting services to get your project started to lumber, sidings, shingles, windows, doors, cabinets, several delivery options to accommodate your needs and so much more. We service a 100-mile radius around Sioux Falls.

A picture of a showroom with shingle samples on the wall

What are the top three reasons you continue to locate in the Sioux Falls area?

We have business roots in the city and a positive reputation in the market and sought to build on that. This is a very fast-paced, growing market. We enjoy strong local support and see the potential to continue to expand here.

A picture of a kitchen

What are you most proud of within your business in the past year?

Paradigm Lumber was started by builders with a service-first mentality. Our new location features a beautiful, interactive showroom that showcases products in a full-scale application — not just small samples to take home.

A picture of a house facade in a showroom

Customers who walk in say it’s an amazing showroom, and they can’t believe how much product we can showcase in such an area.

A picture of shingle samples hung on a wall

We have two full kitchens with appliances and a mini house showcasing 22 different products in a life-size format. It is very impressive!

A picture of a house with a Skogen sign in the driveway

We are constantly adding new lines of products to better serve our customers.

A picture of a Milwaukee tool accessories display

We recently added Valspar paint and have various options for interior and exterior lines, as well as stains. We can mix or match any color.

A picture of a Valspar paint display

What do you see as the biggest challenge facing your business?

Interest rates and product costs have been challenges for the building industry. We’ve seen good availability of product, but if we see a sizable drop in rates, that could become an issue.

A picture of a kitchen

How would you describe the culture of your business in three words?

Helpful, determined, service-oriented.

Why does your business choose to invest in Forward Sioux Falls?

We have common ownership with RMB Associates, which has partnered with Forward Sioux Falls for almost 15 years and has continued to do so over the years because of the forward-thinking leadership that has often been involved, and their commitment and dedication to investing in the future of the Sioux Falls region. Being in development, we also have a vested interest in ensuring the community continues to grow, that we attract and retain talented people to live and work in the area and that we have strong advocates for the business community. We share a similar vision to Forward Sioux Falls in that we are all stronger working collaboratively to grow the overall pie.

A picture of a conference room with a rendering of a building on the display

What specific advantages or values have you found to partnering with Forward Sioux Falls and its programs?

We appreciate the partnership and look to Forward Sioux Falls to help be another advocate within the business community. It is also helpful to be able to provide funding to one joint venture who can then pool those resources to tackle the most important issue facing the community instead of each business attempting to tackle it on their own. This frees up valuable time and resources that we can use to focus on providing products and services to the community.

What are your expectations for your business in the year ahead?

We’re excited to continue to help our friends and neighbors make their dreams a reality.

Forward Sioux Falls is a joint venture between the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce and the Sioux Falls Development Foundation and is widely respected as the premier economic driver for the Sioux Falls region. To learn more and connect, click here.

Moving Sioux Falls Forward: Pathward

Posted on by leahb

With a mission of financial inclusion, Pathward is redefining what banking services can look like for consumers and businesses alike.

The company has grown from a local community bank into a fintech powerhouse, while continuing to be based in Sioux Falls and advancing its operation here.

Balloons falling down on people seated in chairs

Pathward employees gathered from across the country for the company’s first Dare To Be Great Summit in March. The company also celebrated its third consecutive year as a Certified™ Great Place To Work.®

“Fintech is a key industry for Sioux Falls, and we’re fortunate that an industry leader in Pathward has continued to evolve within our business community,” said Bob Mundt, president and CEO of the Sioux Falls Development Foundation.

“This is a mission-focused tech company providing exciting career opportunities in our region and valuable services to customers.”

Here’s a closer look at the business, courtesy of Beth Ormseth, senior vice president, strategic business operations.

Business name: Pathward NA

Year founded: 1954 as Storm Lake Savings and Loan Association

Year operations began in Sioux Falls: 2000

Total employees in the Sioux Falls area: 357

CEO/lead executive in Sioux Falls: We have numerous senior-level leaders in Sioux Falls of which a subset has been identified to be part of the local leadership team.

How would you describe your organization to someone not familiar with it?

Inspired by our purpose to power financial inclusion, Pathward is a nontraditional bank. We have roots in community banking in the Midwest but have evolved our business model to meet the changing needs of the public, with a focus on underserved and emerging markets. We’re a nationally chartered bank that aims to increase financial availability, choice and opportunity for individuals and small and medium-sized businesses alike.

What are the top three reasons you continue to locate in the Sioux Falls area?

  1. Business climate: While we no longer have retail bank locations in the area, we have a long history in Sioux Falls, which along with the state of South Dakota offers a positive business climate for businesses, including banks.
  2. Talent: While we have a talent-anywhere strategy, Pathward maintains an office location in Sioux Falls, and we have a large employee presence in the area. The area is rich with talent, and we expect it to become an even greater talent pool with the Augustana University Fintech Program by Pathward.
  3. Community: We love Sioux Falls and the community and are engaged with multiple community organizations and nonprofits. Our corporate office and employees give back to the community through our time, talents and financial contributions. You can view a map with many of our local partners who help facilitate economic mobility mentioned on our website at pathward.com/about-us/sustainability.

What are you most proud of within your business in the past year?

We have a lot of reasons to be proud. Pathward was certified as a “Great Place to Work” for the third year in a row in March, and over the past year we remained steadfast in our talent-anywhere approach, announced new partnerships and extended others, celebrated employee and company achievements, rebranded our Partner Solutions team and stayed true to our commitment to excellence in strategy and execution.

two men in suits

Pathward periodically hosts patio parties at its office locations for employees to connect and unwind.

Through innovation, we have created greater financial inclusion and access while enabling our partners to thrive. Our recently published 2024 Sustainability Report provides an in-depth look at many of our successes over the past year. You can review the report from our website at pathward.com/about-us/sustainability.

What do you see as the biggest challenge facing your business?

Balancing innovation, technology advancements and growth with safety and soundness of being a bank.

How would you describe the culture of your business in three words?

Humble, hungry, smart.

Why does your business choose to invest in Forward Sioux Falls?

Pathward’s headquarters have been in Sioux Falls for more than two decades, and investing in the Sioux Falls workforce illustrates our commitment to developing local talent and to the betterment of the community. As a company focused on empowering people and businesses through financial inclusion, we are invested in the community.

Some of the organizations in the area that we support include:

  • Embe
  • Forward Sioux Falls
  • Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sioux Falls
  • Helpline Center
  • Junior Achievement of South Dakota
  • Lunch Is Served
  • St. Francis House
  • Veterans Community Project
  • Active Generations
  • Bishop Dudley Hospitality House

 

Pathward employees at Feeding South Dakota with a sign saying they packed produce for 2,453 families.

Pathward employees volunteer at Feeding South Dakota in Sioux Falls during Volunteer Week 2025. Full-time employees can take up to two days — 16 working hours — of paid volunteer time off each year.

What specific advantages or values have you found to partnering with Forward Sioux Falls and its programs?

We believe the organization does a great job of promoting economic development opportunities in Sioux Falls, and we value the connection to the business community and the community at large while leveraging leadership development opportunities.

What are your expectations for your business in the year ahead?

In 2024, we laid out operating norms that define how we work together, make decisions, design solutions, execute and define success. Building on this strong foundation, we are optimistic about our path forward as we continue to expand financial access for more people and businesses through our Partner Solutions, commercial and consumer lending, and Professional Tax Solutions.

Forward Sioux Falls is a joint venture between the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce and the Sioux Falls Development Foundation and is widely respected as the premier economic driver for the Sioux Falls region. To learn more and connect, click here.