The Spirit of Sioux Falls Award is presented to a person who has demonstrated leadership and commitment to the economic growth and development of our community.
The award honors the memory of David Birkeland, Angus Anson, and Roger Hainje, Development Foundation leaders who perished along with Governor Mickelson and other state officials and staff in 1993 as they returned from an economic development mission. These men were working to retain 2,800 jobs and secure the continued existence of our region’s largest food processing operation. Today, this facility employs 3,600.
Steve Metli
The award was presented to the family of Steve Metli, former Director of Planning & Building Services for the City of Sioux Falls; honoring his legacy and vision.
The presentation took place at the 2020 Annual Meeting of the Sioux Falls Development Foundation and included a tribute to Mr. Metli.
Past recipients
1994 AL SCHOCK
1995 RUSS GREENFIELD
1996 LYLE SCHROEDER
1997 CURT KUEHN
1998 CHARLIE KEARNS
1999 GARY OLSON
2000 DAVID CHRISTENSEN
2001 JACK WHITE
2002 TONY BOUR
2003 LINDA BARKER
2004 STEVE KIRBY
2005 GOVERNOR MIKE
ROUNDS
2006 TOM EVERIST
2007 T. DENNY SANFORD
2008 MARK GRIFFIN
2009 JIM WILCOX
2010 STEVE CRIM
2011 STEVE EGGER
2012 SYLVIA HENKIN
2013 LARRY RITZ
2014 DALE FROEHLICH
2015 DANA DYKHOUSE
2016 TOM WALSH
2017 CRAIG LLOYD
2018 GOVERNOR DENNIS DAUGAARD
2019 EVAN NOLTE