Byre gets SDSU employee honor

BROOKINGS – Beth Byre has been named the South Dakota State University Civil Service Employee of the Month for June in appreciation for her exemplary contributions and performance as the accountant for the Department of Natural Resource Management.

She will be honored with a reception starting at 3:30 p.m. June 28 in the atrium of the Edgar S. McFadden Biostress Laboratory. 

A 1979 SDSU graduate, Byre returned to Brookings in 2011. She began working at the Office of Academic Affairs that year and joined the NRM department as an accountant in 2016. In her five years with the department, co-workers and supervisors consistently acknowledge Byre’s skill set and upbeat personality.

“In addition to Ms. Byre’s organizational skills, which are exceptional, she is also a delightful person to work with, is a real team player and is always courteous, respectful and thoughtful to everyone who needs her expertise and services,” said Michele Dudash, who leads the NRM department. “Ms. Byre is always ready to go above and beyond the regular duties to make our department and institution a great place to work.”

Dudash additionally mentioned Byre has been recognized for assisting with various training events on processes that have been mastered by the department while also completing every challenge presented. Her charisma and people skills are frequently noted.

“Her work is accurate and timely, she provides people-centered support to faculty, students and staff and willingly agrees to help others when needed,” said Mary Larson, SDSU human relations coordinator. “I especially appreciate her positive approach, her ability to listen and learn and her willingness to adapt to changes.”

“She provides excellence every single day by supporting the diverse faculty, staff and student population of the natural resource management department,” said Justin Werkmeister, director of finance and accountability for the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences. “She is always people-centered, doing whatever it takes to help someone in need whether it’s part of her job duties or not.”

Groos hired by health system

BROOKINGS – Lyle Groos was recently hired as the new environmental services director at Brookings Health System.

In this role, Groos will oversee day-to-day operations of the maintenance, housekeeping and laundry departments within the health system, including supervising staff, providing organization and managing finances. He is also responsible for the overall environmental safety of the health system.

Groos has six years of healthcare facilities management experience, most recently serving as the facilities manager at Good Samaritan Society Nursing Home in Windom, Minnesota. He also previously worked for Brookings Health System in the maintenance department. Groos attended Western Dakota Tech in Rapid City and has several years of trade experience, including running his own construction companies.

For more information on job opportunities available Brookings Health System, visit brookingshealth.org/jobs.

Daktronics announces changes for board of directors

BROOKINGS – Daktronics, Inc. announces the retirement of Robert G. Dutcher and Byron J. Anderson, both effective on Sept. 1, 2021. Dutcher and Anderson have served on the Daktronics board of directors since 2002 and 2005, respectively.

The board also announces the nominations of Shereta Williams and Dr. Lance D. Bultena as independent directors to its board for election at the Sept. 1, 2021, annual meeting of shareholders.

Reece A. Kurtenbach, chairman, president and CEO, recognized the contributions from Dutcher’s and Anderson’s leadership and dedication to Daktronics, “We thank Byron and Bob for their significant contributions to Daktronics. Bob has served on our Board for 19 years, and as chair of the Compensation Committee since 2007. From his previous experience as Chair of the Board and CEO of Possis Medical Inc., Bob brought to our board extensive knowledge in driving profitable growth in technology-driven industries. 

“Byron has served on our board for 16 years, serving on the Compensation and Nominating and Governance Committees. Byron’s experience as a senior leader at Agilent Technologies, Inc. and Hewlett-Packard Company brought unique knowledge of supply chains, international development, and organization strategy. We are grateful for Bob’s and Byron’s contributions to Daktronics over the years and wish them the best in retirement.”

Kurtenbach continued, “The nominations of Shereta and Lance will contribute to the strength of our board by bringing unique perspectives, experiences, and expertise. Shereta brings digital media industry strategic leadership demonstrated by an impressive track record of growth and diversification for the companies she has served. Lance brings a rich understanding of economic issues and background in global regulations and public policy. Lance has helped clients improve business outcomes and helps clients stay ahead of developments in these areas.”

More about the nominees

• Shereta Williams is vice president business development on the strategy and corporate development team of Cox Enterprises, Inc. based in Atlanta, Georgia and has served in such capacity since 2020. She has held a variety of strategy, corporate development and business development roles within the Cox Enterprise, Inc. subsidiaries and groups including president of Videa, LLC from 2014 through 2020; vice president of Corporation Development for Cox Media Group from 2010 to 2013; and director of development and digital services for Cox Television from 2001 through 2006. In between the roles at Cox, from 2006 through 2009 she was the managing director of the currency division for Maven Funds, a startup hedge fund in Atlanta where she was responsible for managing traders, implementation of automated trading systems, risk management and operations. She began her career working in investment banking as analyst for mergers and acquisitions for Lazard Freres & Co, LLC from 1996 through 1998. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, with a concentration in Economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Williams brings to the board extensive knowledge in corporate development, strategy, and mergers and acquisitions, as well as operational leadership in the digital communications industry.

• Dr. Lance D. Bultena is the Global Director of Thought Leadership for Mobility and Transportation at Hogan Lovells, a global law firm, where he is currently a senior counsel after serving as a partner for many years. He has been at the firm (and its predecessor Hogan & Hartson) since 1999. He was counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation from 1995-1999. He received a doctorate in politics and a masters in economics from Oxford University which he attended as a Rhodes Scholar. He received a law degree (J.D.) from Harvard Law School and did his undergraduate study at the University of South Dakota. Bultena brings to the board significant experience in helping businesses evaluate and address the challenges of technological change and public policy developments