Governor's Office staff
Mackenzie Decker | Chief of Staff
Mackenzie Decker is the commanding officer of the Governor’s Office and a policy advisor for government operations through technology, human resources, and finance, as well as tribal relations. She has worked in government for over 12 years with experience in communications, workforce programs, and economic development.
Pierre has been home for Mackenzie, a Minnesota native, since 2014, but she also has family ties in the Winner and Yankton areas. She is a graduate of South Dakota State University and earned her master's in administration and organizational leadership from the University of South Dakota.
Mackenzie and her husband enjoy life just north of Pierre with their two daughters, taking advantage of all the recreational opportunities central South Dakota has to offer.
Matt Michels | Senior Advisor and Counsel to the Governor
Matt Michels is a long-time advisor of Governor Rhoden and respected former colleague. After leading the succession process, Michels joins the team to help advise on a variety of issues including office operations and legal matters.
Michels served as speaker of the South Dakota House of Representatives from 2003 to 2007. He also became the 38th lieutenant governor of South Dakota, serving from 2011 to 2019.
Michels lives in Yankton. He graduated from the University of South Dakota with Nursing, Health Care Administration and law degrees.
Katie Hruska | General Counsel
Katie Hruska serves as General Counsel in the Governor's Office.
A native of Fargo, Katie earned her bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and her J.D. from the University of South Dakota School of Law. Katie was a law clerk for the Sixth Judicial Circuit for two years, assisting the Court on a variety of issues from election law and public utility disputes to workers' compensation appeals and insurance actions. Following that service, Katie worked in private practice until joining the Governor's Office in January 2019.
Katie lives in Pierre with her husband, Eddie who is also an attorney and a member of the South Dakota National Guard, and their two children.
Ian Fury | Director of Communications and Unborn Child Advocate
Ian Fury serves as Director of Communications in the Governor's Office. He also serves as the Governor's Unborn Child Advocate.
Ian previously worked in a variety of communications and policy roles in both Kansas and Washington, DC. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Economy from Hillsdale College, where he also competed in collegiate speech and debate. A native of Houston, Texas, he has lived in four states throughout the Midwest before moving to South Dakota.
Ian lives in Pierre with his wife Hannah and their two kids. They spend their free time skiing, playing disc golf, and exploring the beautiful Black Hills.
Ryan Brunner | Senior Policy Advisor and Director of Legislative Relations
Ryan Brunner serves as a Senior Policy Advisor and Director of Legislative Relations in the Governor’s Office, focusing on corrections, public safety, military, public utilities, and state lands. He served as the state Commissioner of School and Public Lands after being elected in 2014 and 2018 before joining the Governor’s office in 2022. Ryan also previously served on the Brookings City Council and worked for the Brookings Economic Development Corporation after graduating from SDSU with a degree in agricultural economics.
Ryan grew up on a family farm/feedlot operation at Nisland and graduated from Newell High School. Ryan and his wife Whitney now live in Pierre with their three children.
Laura Ringling | Senior Policy Advisor
Laura Ringling serves as a Senior Policy Advisor in the Governor's Office focusing on health policy, social services, and human services. Laura has served in state government working on legal, health, and social aid issues since 2008.
Laura is a South Dakota native. She earned her bachelor's degree in English from Dakota State University and her law degree from the University of South Dakota School of Law, where she was an editor of The South Dakota Law Review.
Laura serves on the board of the Capital Area United Way and enjoys live music, photography, and travel.
Jon Kotilnek | Deputy General Counsel
Jon Kotilnek serves as Deputy General Counsel in the Governor's Office. He was born and raised in Pierre, SD, graduating from T.F. Riggs.
Jon went to SDSU and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science while playing on the Jacks club hockey team. He then went to Marquette University and earned his Juris Doctor. Upon graduation, Jon moved to Washington D.C. and earned a Master of Laws (LLM) degree specializing in International Law from American University. He then joined the U.S. Army as a Judge Advocate (JAG Officer). Jon served in the Army for over 7 years, spending time in Germany, Oklahoma, and Maryland. After leaving the Army, Jon came back to Pierre and worked for Game, Fish and Parks as Senior Staff Attorney for over 6 years.
Jon lives in Pierre with his wife, Patrycja, whom he met while stationed in Germany. They have two wonderful kids and two big dogs. Outside of work, Jon's passion is hockey. He coaches Varsity hockey for the Oahe Capitals and helps coach his son's mite level team. He is also on the Board of Directors for the Oahe Hockey Association as the Director of Coaching. In the winter months, Jon and his family spend almost all their free time at the rink.
Megan Goltz | Policy Advisor
Megan Goltz serves as a Policy Advisor for the Governor in the area of infrastructure and resources, focusing on agriculture, natural resources, transportation, and game, fish and parks.
Megan grew up near Estelline where she graduated high school. She earned her degree in animal science from the University of Minnesota-Crookston, while playing basketball. Megan worked as a veterinary assistant and a horse trainer before joining the Kristi for Governor campaign in 2018. Megan joined the Governor's Office in 2019 and has served in several leadership positions.
Sarah Hitchcock | Policy Advisor
Sarah Hitchcock serves as a Policy Advisor in the Governor's Office focusing on industry and education, including workforce, regulation, economic development, and tourism.
A former high school teacher and coach, Sarah has also coordinated grassroots and campaign operations across five states for the National Rifle Association. She's a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University with a degree in political science and a master's in public administration.
Morgan Wiegel | Director of Scheduling
Morgan Wiegel serves as the Director of Scheduling in the Governor's Office. Morgan previously worked for Sanford Health in Sioux Falls in the Patient Access Management department for three years.
Morgan is from Huron, SD and attended college at South Dakota State University where she earned a bachelor of Science degree in Community and Public Health with a minor in Health Sciences.
In her free time, Morgan enjoys spending time with family & friends, listening to music, and binge-watching a good Netflix or Hulu series.
Brad Otten | Director of External Affairs
Brad Otten serves as a Director of External Affairs for the Governor. Brad previously worked as West River Director during then-Congresswoman Noem’s eight years in Congress. Brad has also served on the Rapid City Board of Education and on the South Dakota Advisory Panel on Children with Disabilities.
Brad was born in Sioux Falls, grew up near Tea, and graduated high school at Lennox. He holds a bachelor’s in Business Administration and a Master's in Public Administration from the University of South Dakota. After graduation he moved to the Black Hills.
Brad is married to Holly since 1995, and together they have three adult children: Morgan, Alex, and Eden.
Leslie Hicks | Director of Constituent Services
Leslie Hicks serves as the Director of Constituent Services. Prior to her time in the Governor’s Office, Leslie worked for the District Court of South Dakota as a Judicial Assistant and Court Reporter.
Leslie grew up in rural Bennett County, graduating from high school in Martin. She then obtained a degree in court reporting and worked as a court reporter in both state and federal court in South Dakota.
Leslie has two daughters, Britney and Ajaye, who she loves to travel with any chance she gets.
Josie Harms | Press Secretary
Josie Harms serves as Press Secretary in the Governor’s office. She is tasked with fulfilling Governor Rhoden’s commitment to treat the press with openness and responsiveness.
A native of southwestern Minnesota, she jumped the border to join us in South Dakota. Josie graduated from Bethel University with a Bachelor of Arts in Finance and is working on a Master of Business Administration from Bethel. She interned in the South Dakota Governor’s Office for two summers. During that time, she excelled in writing projects and provided excellent constituent services.
Josie was the team captain of the cross country and track & field team at Bethel University and holds the school record in the steeplechase event.
Jayden Bies | Policy Analyst
Jayden Bies serves as a Policy Analyst in the Governor’s Office. Jayden grew up in Fairburn, South Dakota on her family ranch. She graduated from St. Thomas More High School and earned her degree in Government with an emphasis in Legal Studies from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona in 2022.
Before joining the Kristi for Governor campaign in 2022, Jayden worked on two political campaigns in Arizona. Following the election, Jayden joined the Governor official staff.
In her free time, Jayden loves spending time with her family on the ranch along with her dogs and cows.
Judy Davis | Executive Assistant
Judy Davis serves as an Executive Assistant for the Governor's Office. Before coming to the Governor's Office in 2011, Judy worked at the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office in Deadwood.
Judy is a Winner native and graduated from Winner High School. She went on to further her education at Western Dakota Technical Institute and graduated with a degree in computerized office careers.
Judy has two sons. In her free time, she enjoys cheering on the Pierre Governor athletic teams, spending time outdoors, working in her yard and spending time with family and friends.
Doreen Kayser | Executive Assistant and Scheduler
Doreen Kayser serves in the Governor’s Office as Executive Assistant and Scheduler for Lt. Governor Tony Venhuizen. A veteran of state government, Doreen served as scheduler to Governor Dennis Daugaard and as executive assistant to Lt. Governor Matt Michels and First Lady Linda Daugaard. She also worked in the Office of Governor Bill Janklow, the Department of Social Services, the Department of Health, the Secretary of State’s Office, the Bureau of Finance and Management, and the Bureau of Personnel.
Kayser was born in Wall and grew up in Pierre. She attended Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, Minnesota. Doreen and her husband, Ron, have two sons, Weston and Seth. In her free time, Doreen enjoys gardening, reading, baking, being outdoors, and spending time with her family.
Shannon Magee | Executive Assistant
Shannon serves as an Administrative Assistant in the Governor’s Office.
Shannon is a former elementary school paraprofessional with an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice from Metro Community College in Omaha, NE. Originally from Chicagoland, she has since traveled the country while her husband, Michael, served in the Navy before making Pierre their home three years ago.
In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, baking, and spending time with their four kids. She loves animals, relishes a good book, and likes to explore national and state parks.
Lisa Lei | Constituent Services Representative
Lisa was born in Pierre and grew up in Nebraska. She attended Black Hills State University where she earned a bachelor's degrees in elementary and special education. Lisa taught in the South Dakota public school system before joining a large nonprofit social service agency in the Twin Cities as a program coordinator. Prior to joining the Governor's Office, Lisa worked as an executive assistant for the Department of Social Services.
Lisa and her husband Jeff Kroll have six children and three grandchildren. They enjoy time fishing and relaxing on the Missouri River, tackling home improvement projects and creating special memories with their grandchildren.
Sheri Arnold | Constituent Services Representative
Sheri Arnold serves as Constituent Services Representative in the Governor’s office, focusing on Executive Proclamations. Prior to her current role, she was proud to be a part of the Noem/Rhoden 2022 re-election campaign.
A native of Colorado, she has made South Dakota home for the past 26 years. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications with a minor in Writing from ORU in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She is also a Certified Dietary Manager and is currently pursuing a Master Nutrition Therapist certification thru NTI. She has spent the past 3 plus decades using her skills to serve others in various hospitality and client-oriented settings.
She resides in Watertown with her husband, Guy, 17 yr. old son, Sam, and German Shepherd, Ava. She has 6 other grown children. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, writing, studying nutrition, and staying active and fit with the family.
