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Spirit of Sioux Falls Award

  • October 1, 2020

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.

2020 Spirit of Sioux Falls Award Winner

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.

Spirit of Sioux Falls

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

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