cabinet biographies

Hunter Roberts | Agriculture and Natural Resources top

Hunter Roberts serves as Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources (DANR). Hunter began his career in public service with the Governor's Office of Economic Development in 2007 as the Assistant State Energy Director and soon after transitioned to the Energy Policy Director where he led the state's efforts to promote business development in power generation, energy production and clean energy manufacturing until the end of 2014.

Hunter then went on to serve as a policy advisor to Governor Dennis Daugaard for four years. In this role, he oversaw issues related to transportation, agriculture, energy, environment, land management, and outdoor resources. Most recently, Hunter served as the deputy secretary and director of labor and management at the Department of Labor and Regulation.

Roberts holds a master's degree in business administration and a juris doctorate of law from the University of South Dakota.

Hunter resides in Pierre with his wife and two children. With his family, he owns and operates a farm and ranch southeast of Ft. Pierre.

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Kellie Wasko | Corrections top

Kellie Wasko serves as the Secretary of the Department of Corrections. Kellie began her career as a correctional nurse in 1999. She began her correctional career within the Idaho Department of Corrections before moving to her home state of Colorado.

After returning to Colorado, Kellie continued her career with the state's Department of Corrections. She served in many roles, such as a Health Services Administrator, Associate Warden, Warden, Assistant Director of Prisons, and Director of Clinical Services, before being appointed the Deputy Executive Director. Kellie held this position for six years where she pioneered prison reforms for restrictive housing and long-term isolation of the mentally ill. Kellie finished her career with the CDOC in 2019 and joined Correctional Health Partners in Denver, Colorado, where she was their CEO/President.

Kellie earned nursing degrees from Weber State and Boise State universities.

Kellie and her husband, Jerry, have four incredible children and five grandchildren. Their spare time is spent with their grandbabies and in the mountains.

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Joe Fiala | Economic Development top

Joe Fiala serves as Commissioner to the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED).

Joe entered the field of economic development in 2007 as executive director of Miller’s local economic development office. Joe joined GOED in 2012 and has served in several key roles as director for research, community development, business development, and partner relations.

He has worked on projects that total billions of dollars in capital investment has helped create thousands of jobs for the people in our state, making Joe an excellent ambassador for South Dakota.

Joe and his wife, Andrea, live in Miller and have two daughters.

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Joe Graves | Education top

Joe Graves serves as the Secretary of the Department of Education. He began his teaching career in 1986 and has been published in numerous education journals. Joe served as superintendent of several school districts in Iowa from 1991 to 2000 and has served as superintendent of the Mitchell School District since 2000. In 2018, Joe was awarded “Educational Advocate of the Year” by the School Administrators of South Dakota, as well as “Administrator of the Year” by the South Dakota Music Educators Association.

Joe was born in Sioux Falls and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science, psychology, and sociology from South Dakota State University. He went on the earn his master’s degree in history from the University of South Dakota, several education administration degrees from Drake University, and a teaching certificate from the University of Iowa.

Joe has been married to his wife, Cheryl, for more than 30 years. Together, they have four children and ten grandchildren.

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Jim Terwilliger | Finance and Management top

Jim Terwilliger serves as the Commissioner of the Bureau of Finance and Management and is a member of the Governor’s Executive Team. He most recently served for 3 years as the Secretary for the Department of Revenue under Governor Noem. In his 16 years of public finance service for the State of South Dakota, he also held the titles of Deputy Commissioner for the Bureau of Finance and Management and State Economist. In his time with state government, the state has made significant financial improvements that focus on the long-term financial health of South Dakota.

Jim graduated from Guthrie Center (Iowa) High School in 1998. He chose to make South Dakota his home when attending the University of South Dakota, where he obtained a bachelor's in mathematics and a master's in business administration.

Jim and his wife Alexis have three children. He has served as president of the Capital City Baseball Association in Pierre and as a member of the Saint Joseph School Council. Jim enjoys spending time with family, exploring the great outdoors and watching his children compete in various activities.

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Kevin Robling | Game, Fish and Parks top

Kevin Robling serves as the Secretary of Game, Fish, and Parks. Kevin strives to make a positive difference for current and future generations each and every day. His passion for South Dakota's outdoor resources is unmatched and that passion and excitement is focused on contributing to the excellent quality of life we have here in South Dakota. He takes pride in leading the team at the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) to ensure services, programs, and solutions are delivered effectively while making certain that our state’s natural resources are managed responsibly and to the best of our abilities. Customer service is his focus because it is the foundation of who we are as a department. Kevin is widely known for his ability to connect with others and build relationships because a significant amount of his time is spent listening to customers, and agricultural producers and working with staff to accommodate their needs and the needs of others.

This is all backed by his education and his hard work ethic. Kevin received his bachelor’s and master’s degree in wildlife and fisheries science from South Dakota State University and began his career with the department in 2011. He was first hired on as a resource biologist in Sioux Falls and was promoted to a big game biologist in 2012 out of Rapid City. In 2017, he transitioned into a statewide leadership role working directly under the Department Secretary. In this position he focused on strategic change initiatives - working with the GFP Commission and the state Legislature - to enhance recreational opportunities and simplify regulations to continuously reduce barriers to outdoor participation in South Dakota.

Kevin is who he is because of his family. He and his wife, Holly, have three young children – Sawyer, Reese, and Cash. He grew up on a farm and the great outdoors and agriculture have always been – and remain – a huge part of his life. When Kevin is not at home or in the office, he is outside. From camping in our state parks to big and small game hunting across the state, people can find him on the lake, in a tent, on a horse, or on a tractor feeding his cows with a young one right beside him.

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Melissa Magstadt | Health top

Melissa Magstadt serves as the Secretary of Health. Melissa previously served in the South Dakota House of Representatives from 2011 to 2014 and was a member of the House Committee on Health and Human Services. Melissa has been involved in South Dakota healthcare for more than 30 years.

Melissa has a Master’s in Science from South Dakota State University with a focus as a family nurse practitioner. She also has a Master’s in Business Administration from Mount Marty University and is a graduate of the Great Plains Public Health Leadership Institute at the University of Nebraska. She is also a fellow at the University of Arizona’s Center for Integrated Medicine.

Born and raised in South Dakota, Melissa and her family live in the Castlewood and Watertown area.

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Darin Seeley | Human Resources and Administration top

Darin Seeley serves as the Commissioner of the Bureau of Human Resources and Administration and is a member of the Governor’s Executive Team. He has spent his human resources career in the private sector, serving all levels of organizations across energy, retail, logistics, and manufacturing industries. For the last three years, he was the Director of Human Resources for Harms Oil Company in Brookings. Prior to that was a member of human resources leadership with Black Hills Corporation in Rapid City.

Darin earned his bachelor's degree in agriculture business from South Dakota State University and his MBA from the University of Findlay.

Darin and his wife, Andrea, have been married for 23 years and have a daughter and son. Most of his time outside of work is spent going to their various activities in the arts and sports.

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Shawnie Rechtenbaugh | Human Services top

Shawnie Rechtenbaugh serves as Secretary of the Department of Human Services. Before joining the Noem administration, Shawnie served as the interim secretary, deputy secretary, and state 9-1-1 coordinator for the Department of Public Safety, and as the state prevention coordinator for the departments of Social Services and Human Services. Prior to joining state government, Shawnie worked in the private sector in the human services field.

Shawnie grew up in Mobridge and attended Northern State University, where she received her bachelor's degree in psychology. She went on to receive her State Government Leadership Excellence Certificate from the University of South Dakota.

Shawnie and her husband Scott, assistant director for the Division of Criminal Investigation, have been married for nineteen years and they have two young daughters that keep the days interesting and always entertaining. In her not-so-spare time she enjoys watching her girls play basketball, volleyball, or piano. As soon as the weather allows you will find her and her family on the Missouri River or the golf course.

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Madhu Gottumukkala |
Information and Telecommunications top

Madhu Gottumukkala serves as the Commissioner of the Bureau of Information and Telecommunications. He has more than 20 years’ experience in technology and leadership positions.

Prior to his service for the State of South Dakota, Madhu served as Senior Director of IT for Business Solutions at Sanford Health. He also serves on the Advisory Committee of the College of Business and Information Systems at Dakota State University.

Madhu and his wife, Vasantha, are proud parents of two boys, aged 17 and 13. The family shares a love for the outdoors and has explored every state park in South Dakota. In their free time, they can often be found camping, hiking, or unwinding by a lake. Madhu, an avid motorcycle enthusiast and old Western movie lover, also has a deep passion for technology. He is constantly researching and exploring emerging technologies, driven by a commitment to applying them in ways that better serve the community.

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Marcia Hultman | Labor and Regulation top

Marcia Hultman serves as the Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation (DLR). Marcia was first appointed by Governor Dennis Daugaard in 2014 and reappointed by Governor Kristi Noem in 2019. Prior to this, Marcia had served in a variety of leadership roles with DLR for seventeen years.

Throughout her career, Marcia has been involved in the delivery of workforce training, employment, adult education and literacy, and federal unemployment insurance services, as well as state-specific wage and hour, workers' compensation, and human rights programs.

Marcia chairs the Unemployment Insurance Advisory Council, and serves on the Workers' Compensation Advisory Council, Workforce Development Council, Governor's Workforce Cabinet, and the DOL Retirement Board. Additionally, Marcia is responsible for regulatory functions related to the banking, insurance, and securities industries, as well as occupational and professional licensing boards and commissions.

Marcia received a bachelor's degree from Black Hills State University and completed the Council of State Government Henry Toll Leadership program in 2016. She is a native of Belle Fourche, South Dakota. Just as her grandmother and mother before her, Marcia was trained to be a teacher. She taught school in Hot Springs, Custer, and Rapid City before joining state government in 1997.

Marcia and her husband Brian live in Pierre. They have two grown sons, who each live eight hours away in opposite directions. Marcia enjoys reading, gardening, and all things baking - related.

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Mark R. Morrell | Military top

Major General (SD) Mark R. Morrell currently serves as The Adjutant General of the South Dakota National Guard. Previously, he served as the Deputy Chief of Staff, located at Headquarters, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He assisted the Chief of Staff in oversight of the Joint Force Headquarters Air staff and provides command guidance on South Dakota Air National Guard policy and personnel action.

General Morrell entered the Air Force in May 1999 as a graduate of South Dakota State University and as a Distinguished Graduate of the USAF Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 780. He served on Active Duty for 12 years before transitioning home to the South Dakota Air National Guard. He has been assigned to numerous operational and staff positions at the squadron, group, and wing levels.

General Morrell is a Command Pilot with over 3,000 flying hours, is qualified as an Instructor Pilot, and is both a graduate of and former instructor at the United States Air Force Weapons School. He has taken part in training operations in South Korea, Alaska, Italy, Japan, and Jordan. He has also deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel along with NATOs Resolute Support Mission.

Prior to his assignment as Deputy Chief of Staff, General Morrell was the 114th Fighter Wing Commander, 114th Operations Group Commander, and 114th Operations Support Squadron Commander; all at Joe Foss Field, South Dakota.

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Bob Perry | Public Safety top

Bob Perry serves as the Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.

Bob earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Anthropology, specializing in Criminal Justice, from East Stroudsburg University. He began his career in law enforcement in 1990, commencing as a Pennsylvania State Trooper. In 1997, he joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Throughout his tenure with the FBI, Bob served in various roles, including Special Agent, Supervisory Agent in Rapid City, Assistant Inspector, and Assistant Special Agent in Charge where he oversaw operations in South Dakota, North Dakota, and Northern Minnesota.

Bob has been married to his wife Amy for 33 years. They have two adult sons, Owen and Charlie, as well as a grandson Tripp.

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Michael Houdyshell | Revenue top

Michael Houdyshell serves as the Secretary of the Department of Revenue. Michael has served as the Chief Legal Counsel of the Department of Revenue since June 2018. Previously, he spent seven years as the Director of the Property and Special Taxes Division with the Department of Revenue and three years as Staff Attorney for the Department of Public Safety.

Michael obtained a bachelor's degree in History from Black Hills State University and a J.D. from the University of South Dakota School of Law. He has been a licensed attorney in South Dakota since April 2007 and is active in the State Bar Association.

Michael and his wife Hannah live in Pierre with their three children.

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Matt Althoff | Social Services top

Matt Althoff serves as Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Social Services. He was most recently at the Diocese of Sioux Falls for 15 years, including 13 years as chancellor. Matt worked extensively with the administration of several social ministries carried out by or sponsored by the Church, including the development of the Bishop Dudley Hospitality House, an outreach facility for homeless individuals in the Sioux Falls area.

A native of Yankton, South Dakota, Matt received a Bachelor’s in chemistry from the University of Notre Dame. He went on to earn a Master’s in education from the University of Portland. Immediately after his college career, Matt participated in the Alliance for Catholic Education, a service teaching program, while teaching in Brownsville, TX and, later, in inner-city Milwaukee, WI.

Matt and his wife Kate are grateful to call Sioux Falls home. They have seven children together.

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Jim Hagen | Tourism top

Jim Hagen serves as the Secretary of the Department of Tourism. He has a passion for seeing the tourism industry grow to new heights in all regions of the state, and is excited to continue to serve as secretary for Governor Kristi Noem.

Before becoming the Secretary of Tourism, Jim served more than four years as the national fundraising campaign director and public relations director for the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation. From 2004-2006, he served as South Dakota's Secretary of Tourism and State Development in the administration of Governor Mike Rounds. From 1995-2002, he served as chief of staff and special advisor to Governor Bill Janklow.

Jim was honored to be named the National State Tourism Director of the Year in August 2014. He was chosen by his peers in the National Council of State Tourism Directors and the U.S. Travel Association. Under his leadership, and in close partnership with the tourism industry in South Dakota, the state has set new economic impact records the past eight years, including all-time spending and visitation records every year. During his tenure as Secretary, the Department of Tourism has been the recipient of numerous regional and national marketing and public relations awards.

In March 2014, Jim was appointed to the 32-member National Travel and Tourism Advisory Board (TTAB) by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker. The board is charged with advising the United States Secretary of Commerce on travel and tourism issues affecting our nation. In March 2016, he was reappointed by Secretary Pritzker to another two-year term on the TTAB. U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross recently reappointed Jim to another two-year term in September 2018. Jim has also served on the Executive Board of the U.S. Travel Association. He recently completed a two-year term as Chairman of the National Council of State Tourism Directors.

Jim grew up in the northeast region of the Mount Rushmore State. He is a graduate of Aberdeen Central High School and the University of Southern California.

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Joel Jundt | Transportation top

Joel Jundt serves as the Secretary of the Department of Transportation. He began his transportation career with the Department in 1985 as a road design engineer. Joel has held numerous positions within the Department including Rapid City Operations Engineer, Rapid City Region Engineer, Director of Planning & Engineering and Deputy Cabinet Secretary.

Joel grew up in the Rapid City area and graduated from Douglas High School. He obtained a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and is a registered professional engineer.

Joel and his wife Chris have been married for over 35 years and live in Pierre. They have two grown children and two grandchildren. Joel enjoys time with family, volunteering with his church, and outdoor activities including pheasant hunting and fishing.

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Dave Flute | Tribal Relations top

Dave Flute serves as Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Tribal Relations. He was born and raised in northeast South Dakota on the Lake Traverse Indian Reservation and is a member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe. Prior to his appointment, Flute served one year on the tribal council and three years as tribal chairman. During his chairmanship he was also elected to serve as the chairman of the United Tribes of North Dakota and Vice-Chairman of the Great Plains Tribal Chairman's Health Board.

Dave served in the South Dakota Army National Guard and was part of Task Force Coyote, a humanitarian mission in Louisiana, to assist in the aftermath left by hurricane Katrina. He also deployed to Afghanistan with the 235th Military Police Company and was medially retired from service in 2009.

Dave attended college at North Dakota State University and graduated in 2014 with bachelor's degrees in history and in public history, with a minor in anthropology. Dave has two sons, a black lab, and enjoys hunting, fishing and riding horses.

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Greg Whitlock | Veterans Affairs top

Greg Whitlock serves as Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Greg's passion is his continued service to our veterans and their families and to insure all South Dakota veterans receive eligible benefits they are due.

Prior to his appointment, Greg served as the military and veterans service representative for then-Congresswoman Noem from 2015-18. In that role, he assisted South Dakota veterans and family members in receiving benefits and resolving issues with federal agencies.

Greg graduated from Selby High School. He received an associate degree through SDSU and Colorado Technical University in business management. Greg enlisted in the South Dakota National Guard when he joined the 153rd Engineers in Huron SD in 1975. He then started his fulltime career with 2nd Battalion 147th Field Artillery in 1985. He was promoted to Master Sergeant with the 196th Maneuver Enhanced Brigade in Sioux Falls. He retired from military service in 2015 with over thirty-nine years of total service.

During his career with the South Dakota National Guard Greg was deployed twice for Operation Iraqi Freedom. He deployed first to Iraq and later to Kuwait, where he served as a Senior Personnel Sergeant. Greg has served on the Watertown Boys and Girls Club board, Watertown Sea of Goodwill and is a member of the American Legion and a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He and his wife, Michelle, have four children, and three grandsons.

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