United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development South Dakota Acting State Director Bruce Jones recently announced eleven new employees who have joined the South Dakota USDA Rural Development team. They are as follows:
Valerie Jensen, loan specialist, is stationed in the Aberdeen Office. Jensen holds a degree in Professional Accountancy from Northern State University. Her prior experience includes working two and half years at the Hopfinger & Merriman, Ltd. accounting firm and eight years at Northeast Council of Governments in Aberdeen. Jensen can be reached at (605) 226-3360, Ext. 123.
Stephanie Wood, loan technician, is stationed in the Aberdeen Office. Wood holds a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Finance with a minor in Management Information Systems from Northern State University. Her previous experience includes working in the financial world for 14 years with a concentration on the mortgage aspect for the last 12 years. Wood and her husband, Dan, reside in Warner with their three children Zach, Reagan, and Parker. Wood shared that she and her husband enjoy keeping up with her kids’ school and extracurricular activities. Wood can be reached at (605) 226-3360, Ext. 124.
Cayla Hilbrands, loan assistant, is stationed in the Huron State Office. Hilbrands earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with emphasis on Marketing and Management from the University of South Dakota. Throughout her college career she spent her free time working at a community bank in Vermillion and playing intramural sports, and earning numerous intramural champion titles. Her favorite pastime is spending time with family and friends. Hilbrands can be reached at (605) 352-1137, Ext. 1137.
Lance Lockwood, loan assistant, is stationed in the Rapid City Office. Lockwood will receive his Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of South Dakota in August 2015. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible from Central Bible College and a Master of Divinity degree from the Assemblies of God. Both schools are based in Springfield, MO. Lockwood is a member of the South Dakota National Guard. Through the Guard, he has had the opportunity to serve in several positions located in Watertown, Sioux Falls, and Brookings. Lockwood can be reached at (605) 342-0301, Ext. 115.
Alana Cannon, loan specialist, is stationed in the Rapid City Office. Cannon’s career with USDA began in Wyoming as a loan specialist, advanced to community programs director and coordinated CED for the state of Wyoming, and now serves as the community economic development specialist for the state of South Dakota. Cannon’s previous professional experience includes public accounting, commercial lending, and title insurance. Cannon can be reached at (605) 342-0301, Ext. 116.
Austin Claeys, loan assistant, is stationed in Mitchell Office. Claeys is a recent graduate of South Dakota State University (SDSU) and holds a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Consumer Affairs/Business. He was raised in Huron and is looking forward to life in Mitchell. Claeys hobbies include golf, piano, tennis and bowling. Claeys spends his weekends spending time with his girlfriend Lindsey, who he met at SDSU. Claeys can be reached at (605) 996-1564, Ext. 115.
Grady Olson, loan assistant, is stationed in the Pierre Office. Olson holds a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Agricultural Business with a minor in Agricultural Marketing from South Dakota State University. He grew up on a horse ranch just south of Volga raising, cutting, and reigning quarter horses. Olson shared that he just celebrated his first year anniversary with his wife Cheyenne. The couple is looking forward to making their home in Pierre. Olson can be reached at (605) 224-8870, Ext. 123.
John Kenneth Jones, loan assistant, is stationed in the Rapid City Office. John Kenneth Jones is presently taking courses towards a Master’s degree for Master of Science and Organization Leadership (MSOL) from Northwood University located in Midland, Michigan. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management Administration from Northwood University. Jones is a disabled veteran and served in the United States Navy for four years. He comes to South Dakota from Saginaw, Michigan and looks forward to making Rapid City his home. John Kenneth Jones can be reached at (605) 342-0301, Ext. 113.
Shelby Kraemer, loan assistant, is stationed in the Mitchell Office. Kraemer majored in finance and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of South Dakota. She is a native of Milbank. Prior to joining the Rural Development team, she worked as a teller in Sioux Falls. Recently, she got married to her husband, Kyle. Kraemer can be reached at (605) 996-1564, Ext. 123.
Dylan Tramp, loan assistant, is stationed in the Huron State Office. Tramp earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics with emphasis on business administration and biology from the University of South Dakota. He was born and raised in Yankton. Tramp can be reached at (605) 352-1141.
Tiffany Russell, civil rights manager, is stationed in the Huron State Office. Russell’s previous experience included working for the Department of Health and Human Services for the past 14 years and she studied business and biology at both Northern State University and Presentation College. Russell can be reached at (605) 352-1120.
“I am excited for the opportunity to bring new faces to the agency and help them to succeed in making South Dakota a better place through the many programs we offer,” said Jones.
USDA Rural Development in South Dakota has offices in Aberdeen, Huron, Mitchell, Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Watertown, and Yankton. For more information, visit the USDA Rural Development website at http://www.rd.usda.gov/sd.
The Administration’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. These investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities. USDA’s investments in rural communities support the rural way of life that stands as the backbone of our American values.