Dusty Johnson Selected as 2012 Henry Toll Fellow
Office of Gov. Dennis Daugaard
500 E. Capitol Ave.
Pierre, S.D. 57501
(605) 773-3212
www.sd.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, June 21, 2012
CONTACT: Tony Venhuizen or Joe Kafka at 605-773-3212
Dusty Johnson Selected as 2012 Henry Toll Fellow
PIERRE, S.D. – Dusty Johnson, chief of staff for Gov. Dennis Daugaard, is one of 48 promising state leaders from across the nation selected for the prestigious Toll Fellowship Program sponsored by The Council of State Governments.
The annual seminar is named in honor of Henry Toll, a Colorado senator who founded the council in 1933. The program seeks to develop the next generation of leaders from all three branches of state government.
This year's program, Sept. 7-12 in Lexington, Kentucky, focuses on trends analysis, policy development, media and constituent relations, and leadership and institutional changes. The experience gives those leaders perspectives they would not ordinarily obtain during the course of regular government service. The Council of State Governments covers the travel, lodging and meals of those selected for the program.
Johnson, who was nominated for the Toll Fellowship by Gov. Daugaard, was selected from many outstanding applicants by a committee of state elected and appointed officials as one of the most promising leaders of state government. This year’s applicant pool included state leaders from all three branches and represented 41 states, two U.S. territories and two Canadian provinces. Past Toll Fellowship graduates include governors, U.S. senators and members of Congress, as well as leaders in state government.
“Dusty is doing an outstanding job as my chief of staff,” Gov. Daugaard said. “I’m pleased that he’s been selected for this honor and the opportunity to gain additional leadership skills and knowledge.”
As chief of staff, Johnson serves as chief operating officer for much of state government. From 2005 to 2011, he served as a state Public Utilities Commissioner; he was elected chairman of the PUC three times.
The Council of State Governments is the premier multibranch organization forecasting policy trends for states, commonwealths and territories on a national and regional basis. CSG alerts state elected and appointed officials to emerging social, economic, and political trends; offers innovative state policy responses to rapidly changing conditions; and advocates multistate problem-solving to maximize resources and competitiveness. CSG promotes excellence in decision-making and leadership skills and champions state sovereignty.
Recent Toll Fellows in South Dakota included Jason Dilges, who is the Chief Financial Officer for state government; Darin Bergquist, who is state Secretary of Transportation; and General Timothy Reisch, Secretary of the South Dakota Department of the Military and state Adjutant General.
For more information about the Henry Toll Fellowship Program, please contact Krista Rinehart at (859)244-8249.
-30-
