Professional Profile:
Experienced and effective facilitator and communicator in a variety of settings including, but not limited to, formal and informal, professional, community and governmental. Highly developed skills in persuasive and motivational communications, both written and oral. Knowledgeable in tactical and strategic planning through working with businesses and public/private organizations. Strong ability in policy and program development. Adept at working with civic organizations, public officials, departments and agencies. Ability in providing organizational development and planning functions including examination of policies and practices.

Administrative and Interpersonal Skills:
Natural talent at communication and facilitating. Skills, knowledge and aptitude for evaluating and analyzing while developing and implementing the mission, strategies and goals. I listen, observe and research a situation, issue or goal to analyze problems and possible solutions, find improvements and create short and long-term plans and goals. I have the skills and aptitude to analyze, facilitate and implement while managing the everyday needs of the organization. I have strong ability in prioritizing functions in a fast-paced environment while tracking various issues. I can provide attention to detail while maintaining perspective.

Experience: Danforth & Meierhenry, LLP 1989 to Present
§ General legal practice, performing constant written and oral communication.
§ Legal, factual and issue research.
§ Managing partner for HR functions.
§ Advising and handling various PR issues for business, organizations and governmental entities.
§ Skilled written communicator in a variety of formats, including correspondence, document drafting, state and federal court briefs.
§ Effective verbal communication in a variety of situations, interpersonal, small group or large group, informative, persuasive, academic or governmental.
§ Skill and ability in advising and authorizing action to be taken which ensures consistent application of company rules, regulations, and federal, state and local laws.

Education:
§ Juris Doctor, Law – 1989 University of South Dakota
§ Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and Criminal Justice Majors, French Minor – 1985 University of South Dakota
§ Graduate – 1981 Lincoln High School, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Community Involvement and Other Experience:
§ Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum, Director - 2000 to Present (Currently Chair)à Instrumental in enabling the City of Sioux Falls and Zoological Society to continue the operation of the Zoo in the best interests of the City of Sioux Falls and the Zoo. Prime facilitator and negotiator with Zoological Society Board, Zoo Executive Committee and Candidate Search Committee, coordinating with City of Sioux Falls Mayor and City Directors along with Sioux Falls City Council. Principal in the creation and negotiation of the terms of the management agreement. Worked to establish and solidify the new leadership and organizational structure of the Zoo.
§ Sioux Falls School District, Middle School Review Committee – 2005 to 2006
§ Sioux Falls Singing Boys, Board of Directors - 2003 to Present
§ SD Bar Association – Public Information Committee and Ask-A-Lawyer Committee, Chair – 2002 to Present
§ Sioux Falls School District
à Classroom Volunteer, working with individual children on reading and math skills, providing classroom leadership periodically while regular teacher attends Professional Learning Community Time– 1998 to Present
à Sioux Falls School District Site Council, Member to Chair - 1998 to 2003
à Pizza Bingo Committee – Member to Chair, - 1999 to 2003
§ YMCA 5th Grade Volleyball Coach – 2006
§ SD Infant Loss Center – Board of Directors, 1999 to 2003
§ Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
à Church School Education Committee Chair - 2002 to 2004
à Church School Teacher – 1998 to 2005
• Attorney Investigator for SIoux Falls Human Relations Commission
• United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission certified investigator
• School District Attorney

Memberships:
§ South Dakota Bar Association
§ Second Circuit Bar Association
§ U. S. Federal District Court
§ 8th Circuit Court of Appeals
South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association
• National School Board Attorney, Council on School Attorneys