500 E. Capitol Ave.

Pierre, SD 57501

(605) 773-3212

For Immediate Release: Thursday, March 12, 2009

Contact: Joe Kafka or Roxy Everson, (605) 773-3212

 

 

PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Mike Rounds has appointed Dr. Paul Gnirk, New Underwood, to a position on the Board of Water and Natural Resources. 

 

“I am very pleased to announce that Dr. Paul Gnirk has accepted an appointment to serve South Dakota on the Board of Water and Natural Resources,” said Gov. Rounds. “Paul has extensive experience, from serving as an engineering professor at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology (SDSM&T), to business management and development as founder of an engineering consulting firm in Rapid City. He also has been involved with local issues, working to develop the Viewfield rural water system near New Underwood.”  

 

“Water is a key ingredient for successful economic development in South Dakota,” said Dr. Gnirk. “As such, it is indeed my pleasure to participate as a member of the board in the development of water projects throughout the state.”

 

Dr. Gnirk earned a B.S. degree in Mining Engineering from SDSM&T, and a Ph.D. in Rock Mechanics from the University of Minnesota. He taught as an Assistant Professor at SDSM&T in the Department of Mining Engineering, and as a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. In 2007, Dr. Gnirk was designated Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering at SDSM&T.  He currently serves as Executive Vice-President of the SDSM&T Alumni Association.

 

He is a co-founder of RE/SPEC Inc., an engineering consulting firm located in Rapid City, that deals with highly technical engineering projects. He served as President from 1969-1988, and became Principal Consultant for the company until his retirement in 1991. In 1992, he founded Table Top Ranch Inc., and began a cattle ranch operation near New Underwood. 

 

In 2006, Dr. Gnirk, together with local community leaders, initiated the Viewfield rural water project, and continued to participate in the development of the water system to the point of substantial completion in February 2009. The project supplies water from two deep aquifer wells to fifty ranches and small acreages covering approximately 250 square miles of land located north of New Underwood.

 

Dr. Gnirk fills the position previously held by John Loucks of Rapid City.

 

-30-