Gary Conradi comes from deep South Dakota roots. With two sets of great-grandparents who homesteaded in Aurora County South Dakota, he holds a keen interest and strong love for the state. Gary was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 2011 for his devotion to South Dakota. Gary recently joined South Dakota Hall of Fame Board Director Steve…

Bruce Bad Moccasin’s 30-year career dedicated to building a stronger tomorrow started with building roads in 1977. His leadership within the Indian Health Service (IHS) as an engineer, and eventually as Area Director of the Aberdeen Office, allowed him to effectively bring many changes to funding processes for projects important to improving the li…

Larry Rohrer was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 2023 for his work in public broadcasting. His vision of public media has had an impact on every South Dakota high school, creating ahead-of-its-time coverage of events on the internet, and increased television broadcasts of high school athletics and fine arts. Larry joined South Dakota…

Kitty Kinsman is a passionate advocate who has used her voice to positively influence the health and quality of life in South Dakota and her community. Inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame (SDHoF) in 2020, she is known for her strong leadership and ability to energize, engage, and support others to get things done. Kitty sat down with SDHoF …

Dr. José-Marie Griffiths was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame (SDHoF) for her outstanding accomplishments in the field of higher education. These accomplishments are a coalescence of her professional drive and lifelong passion for learning. She has transformed South Dakota since her arrival to the state in 2015 and has moved Dakota State…

Gary Cammack was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 2021 for his community impact. Both for his work at Cammack Ranch Supply—a pillar of Union Center—and his time serving South Dakota through public service. Gary’s public service career began when he was asked to serve as a Meade County Commissioner. In 2012, he was elected to serve as …

James ​​Emery was a humble man who overcame challenges in his life to forge a better future for his community. He was born on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in 1904, at a time when speaking the Lakota language was discouraged. One of Emery’s greatest contributions in life was saving his native language. Our host, Miles Beacom joined David Emery, Ja…

Dr. Paul Gnirk was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 2022 for his work as an engineer, professor, and dedicated community servant to South Dakota. Dr. Gnirk joined Board Director Steve Flanery to share more about his professional career which has spanned nearly six decades. In this episode, you will hear: How Dr. Gnirk chose the path t…

Grace Martin Highley (1895–1985) was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame for laying the foundation for child welfare practices across the state. Her descendants, Karen Lockhart (granddaughter), Cheryl Zimiga (granddaughter), and Toni Hansen (great-granddaughter), recently joined Steve Flanery, South Dakota Hall of Fame Board Director, for a…

South Dakota Hall of Fame 1987 Inductee Adeline Gnirk had a love for writing, and a drive to tell the collective story of the place she called home. In this Legacy Podcast episode, her two sons – Paul and David Gnirk – share the legacy of their mother’s work to document the lives of the people who called Gregory and Charles Mix counties home. In th…

Mark Shlanta (1965–2022) was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 2022 for his life’s work in the telecommunications industry in South Dakota. Mark led by example, and his legacy of vision, community involvement, and a love of work and learning brought an entire region together. He created jobs and opportunities across many communities in…

2015 Inductee Craig Lloyd began his career with the management of 100 apartment units, and transitioned into work as a contractor, growing exponentially to include a portfolio of nearly 4,000 apartment units and 1.5 million square feet of commercial space. Lloyd Companies’ construction division experienced a series of record-breaking years with ove…

2016 Inductee Robert (Bob) Burns made a massive impact on the State of South Dakota and joined Miles Beacom to talk about his legacy in higher education. During his tenure at South Dakota State University, Robert Burns received many teaching awards including being named College of Arts and Sciences “Teacher of the Year” seven different times. In th…

William (Bill) Walsh was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 2007 for his service to South Dakota through multiple forms of outreach. Bill has served five parishes as an ordained catholic priest and teacher; he has helped shape prison reform in the state; he served in positions with Social Services for the Black Hills and West River Ment…

The impact of Ron Reed’s work can be felt all across the state, from Vermillion to Pierre to the Black Hills. For over five decades, Dr. Reed has worked tirelessly and behind the scenes to enrich the lives not only of individuals with special needs but of all South Dakotans. He joined Marci Burdick for a conversation about his life’s work. In this …

1991 Inductee Duane Reichert has become best known to rodeo fans all over the country as "Dr. Ben Krazy", the nut with the ersatz ambulance. Reichert brought a wide variety of comedy to the spectator. He is highly visible throughout the rodeo with his animals, magic, excitement, and humor. In this episode you will hear: Duane’s early life and caree…

2021 Inductee Craig Tieszen led a dedicated career as a Police Chief and legislator with honesty, kindness, and integrity. As a leader, he was analytical, practical, and respectful. In this episode of the Legacy Podcast, retired CEO of the South Dakota Hall of Fame Greta Chapman joined the Tieszen family to talk about Craig’s legacy. In this episod…

2011 Inductee Lynn Seppala has exhibited what it means to overcome great adversity to continue to pursue one’s dreams. Mid-career as a world-leading designer of state-of-the-art optics for pure and applied science, Lynn suffered a massive stroke, which paralyzed his right side and seriously affected his speech and cognitive abilities. A month into …

Believing that the key to success is hard work and caring about other people, 2011 Inductee William A. (Bill) Hinks left his Wisconsin home in 1960, at age 22 with nothing more than $50 and an old Buick, to work with his uncle and make his mark in South Dakota. This led him to start his own furniture company, Furniture Outlets USA. In this episode …

Ryan McFarland is an entrepreneur with a passion for mountain biking and motorsports. He spent his early years with a grandfather who was a race car owner and a father who owned a motorcycle dealership. After the birth of his first son Bode, Ryan was anxious to share his passions with Bode, and the Strider Bike was born. In this episode you will he…

Ted Muenster’s integrity and leadership are well known in South Dakota and he has left behind a positive impact wherever he goes. A South Dakotan by choice, Ted’s career spanned over 40 years and included senior positions in higher education, state government, business, and civic affairs. In this episode you will hear: Ted’s early life story, his t…

Adam Weaver is a 2021 Acts of Excellence recipient, for his work exploring and preserving caves across not just South Dakota but the world. He recently joined Miles Beacom to discuss his work, and what it means to be an Acts of Excellence recipient. In this episode you will hear: Adam’s history and how he came to live in South Dakota, what piqued h…

For more than 50 years 2019 Inductee Tony Bour has built a lasting enterprise in the cabinet manufacturing business, winning numerous awards including the “Spirit of Sioux Falls” Leadership Award. In this episode you will hear: Stories from Tony’s early years in South Dakota, what set him on the path of his career, and challenges Tony faced, and th…

Johnny Brockelsby, son of 2000 Inductee Earl Brockelsby joined Miles Beacom to discuss his dad’s legacy in the tourism industry in western South Dakota. A visionary of the South Dakota Tourism Industry, as early as 1935 Earl recognized the need to bring and maintain visitors to the state. Through his love and fascination with reptiles, Brockelsby c…

2016 Inductee Christine Hamilton’s life journey has taken her many places, but she ultimately returned to South Dakota and built a life that she loves. She is the owner and managing partner of Christiansen Land and Cattle, Ltd. The fourth-generation farm and ranch business includes several thousand acres of farm and ranchland dispersed throughout s…

Mary Olinger’s life is one dedicated to giving back, serving others, and in truly making wishes come true. At no time was this more evident than during her 18 years as President & CEO of Make-A-Wish South Dakota. Yet, Mary’s giving goes far beyond the wishes granted to hundreds of children and their families. She sat down with Miles Beacom to discu…

After two combat tours in Vietnam, Senator Larry Pressler ran for Congress in 1974 on a shoestring budget, with a positive and clean campaign. His style resonated with South Dakota voters. While not easy, he has demonstrated that you can win by being for something rather than against the opponent. He recently sat down with Marci Burdick of the Sout…

With a career spanning more than 40 years, award-winning artist John Moisan demonstrated his artistic talent at an early age. Drawing inspiration from his childhood spent on the northeastern South Dakota prairie, John developed an early appreciation for the state's wildlife and natural beauty—a continuing theme that can be seen in his artwork. Larr…

2017 South Dakota Hall of Fame inductee Jeff Scherschligt is an expert in insurance and risk management. Under his leadership, he and the firm of Howalt+McDowell have achieved a broad range of industry and community recognitions—including the Argus Leader Best in Business Inaugural Award. In this episode of the Legacy Podcast, our host Miles Beacom…

In our Newest Legacy Podcast Episode, we were joined by 2016 Inductee Elizabeth "Betty" Meyer to talk about the impact she has had on South Dakotans, and the lives she has saved through her work in Mammography. 2016 Inductee Elizabeth Meyer worked with the first mammography and breast cancer screening program in SD, presenting over 80 educational s…

In this episode, 2015 Inductee Ann McKay Thompson sits down with our host and shares her legacy as an author, businesswoman, and her work to improve educational resources for adults entering the workforce in South Dakota. Ann McKay Thompson is a nationally recognized educator, entrepreneur, and leadership expert. Her support for the arts and cultur…

In our newest Legacy Podcast episode, Greta Chapman, CEO of the South Dakota Hall of Fame sits down with Rick Melmer, the founder and director of Leadership South Dakota, to discuss the ways the two organizations are championing a culture of excellence in South Dakota—together. Follow us for more stories of Dream Chasers at: Facebook: www.facebook.…

T. Denny Sanford sat down with host Miles Beacom to discuss his life and legacy in South Dakota during this Legacy Interview. Since becoming a South Dakota resident over 20 years ago, T. Denny Sanford has affected the state in a positive way that will last for lifetimes to come. Under his ownership, First PREMIER Bank and PREMIER Bankcard have rise…

In this Legacy Interview, CEO Greta Chapman sits down with Inductee Loren Tschetter to discuss his life and Legacy in South Dakota. After attending medical school, and completing his residency, Dr. Loren Tschetter established his practice of internal medicine, hematology, and oncology in Sioux Falls South Dakota. In this practice, Loren was a pione…

Thomas Loveland was a member of the first career-long generation of explorers studying the condition and changes of Earth from the vantage of space. Joining a new field called geographic remote sensing, he spent over 40 years piecing together the contemporary land history of the planet while contributing ideas and leadership to expand global Earth-…

In this Legacy Podcast Episode, Larry Rohrer of SDPB sits down with Inductee Dodie brown to discuss her life and legacy. Dodie Brown was a key player in the development of home health and hospice programs across the state of South Dakota. She worked with the legislature and the Department of Health to develop licensing for residential hospice facil…

In this episode of the Legacy Podcast, our hose Miles Beacom sits down with Dick Brown to discuss his life and legacy in South Dakota. Dick Brown’s love of the outdoors, and leadership style of inclusiveness, humor, and collective decision-making has helped him create lasting change throughout the state of South Dakota. His impact on the state is e…

In this episode, SDPB's Larry Rohrer sits down with Morris Jones, nephew of Inductees Baxter & Lyndall Berry. Husband and wife Inductees Baxter and Lyndall Berry, made a positive impact on the Ranching community throughout South Dakota, and are founding members of the South Dakota Hall of Fame. Baxter was a pioneer in the breeding and raising of Sc…

In this legacy interview, Board Chair, Marci Burdick, sits down with 1984 Inductee Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve. Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve is a well-respected teacher and the author of several children’s history books and adult non-fiction about Native Americans. Born February 21, 1933, on the Rosebud Indian Reservation, Sneve has worked to dispel…

In this Legacy Interview, host Miles Beacom sits down with 2011 Inductee Dana Dykhouse to discuss his life and legacy in the banking industry in South Dakota. In 1995, Dana Dykhouse joined First PREMIER Bank as President and Chief Executive Officer. Dana brought with him an unconventional leadership style and a firm belief that individuals who enjo…

In this Legacy Podcast episode, host Miles Beacom sits down with Richard and Bob Van Demark, sons of 1980 Inductee Dr. Robert Van Demark, to discuss their father's life and legacy. Dr. Robert Van Demark was a compassionate doctor who cared for children with disabilities, was a pioneer in hand surgery, and always a physician hungry for the latest in…

In this special Legacy Podcast episode, our CEO, Greta Chapman, sat down with Director Emeritus Dave Olson, and Board Emeritus Richard Gowen to discuss the ways the Hall has grown over the last decade. These three individuals have played a vital role in seeing the organization survive and thrive over the last ten years. Follow us for more stories o…

In this Legacy Interview, host Miles Beacom sits down with 2018 Inductee, Dr. Rod Parry. Dr. Parry’s profound impact on improving health care in South Dakota spanned more than 40 years as a physician-practitioner, scientist, teacher, and leader of medical organizations, including, most notably, the state’s only medical school. As a physician, Dr. P…

In this Legacy Interview, our host Miles Beacom sits down with Dr. Peggy Banks, assistant director of the National Music Museum, located in Vermillion. Peggy shares with us how 2006 Inductee Andre Larson and 2001 Inductee Dr. Wayne Knutson made a huge impact on the campus of USD, the State of South Dakota, and beyond. 2006 Inductee Andre Larson and…

In this Legacy interview, our Host Miles Beacom sits down with 2008 South Dakota Hall of Fame Inductee, Peter Hegg to discuss his legacy and his never-ending search for opportunity that helped grow Hegg Companies into a regional industry leader. Peter’s passion for South Dakota has resulted in hundreds of new jobs and millions in revenue, first-cla…

In this Legacy Interview, host Miles Beacom sits down with 1994 Inductee, Lyle Schroeder, to discuss his legacy with Sioux Valley Hospital, and what it was like to go from Housekeeping and Maintenance all the way to the president of the not-for-profit hospital. Lyle Schroeder devoted over 35 years of service to Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls,…

In this Legacy Interview, host Miles Beacom sits down with 2015 Inductee Robert Mudge to discuss his life and career as a metallurgist and the history of his company, RPM Innovations, Inc. After graduating from South Dakota School of Mines & Technology with a B.S. and M.S. in Metallurgical Engineering, Robert and his wife Debbie spent a few years l…

In this Legacy Interview, South Dakota Hall of Fame CEO Greta Chapman sits down with Bill and Peter Duhamel, sons of 2019 Helen Duhamel. Bill and Peter discuss the impact their mother made in South Dakota, all during a time where it was hard for women to get jobs, let alone develop whole industries the way Helen did. Helen created positive change f…

In this interview, host Miles Beacom sits down with Jerry Thomsen, son of 2000 Inductee Gordon Thomsen, to discuss his father’s legacy and the legacy of the family business Trail King Industries. What started as a small family business out of the Thomsen household, grew into the nation’s largest manufacturer of specialized trailers, with an employm…

In this Legacy Interview, South Dakota Hall of Fame CEO, Greta Chapman, sits down with 2016 Inductee John Barlow, his wife Ann Barlow, and colleagues Milt Mutch and John Soderholm. Dr. John Barlow’s achievements include scientist, scholar, and teacher. He displays humility in his career achievements, and has positively impacted medicine across the …