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Office of the Governor
500 E. Capitol Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-3212
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, September 12, 2007
CONTACT: Mitch Krebs or Roxy Everson, (605) 773-3212
Gov. Rounds Accepts Chief of Staff’s Resignation
PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Mike Rounds announced today that Chief of Staff Rob Skjonsberg (“Shawns-burg”) is ending his tenure in state government. Skjonsberg has accepted a position with POET.
“Rob has been a key member of our team since the beginning. I’ve accepted his resignation with regret, but I recognize that many of us are in this for a limited period of time,” said Gov. Rounds. “We appreciate the many years of dedication Rob has given to our state in public service and we look forward to working with him in his new role.”
Skjonsberg will serve as Vice President of Government Affairs for POET, a South Dakota based energy company that is a national leader in ethanol production.
“We are very excited that Rob has decided to join the POET team,” said POET CEO Jeff Broin. “With his record in public service and South Dakota roots, he will be a valuable asset to POET as we continue to expand on our leadership position in the ethanol industry.”
Skjonsberg is one of the longest serving Chiefs of Staff in the country, starting in January of 2003, when Gov. Rounds was sworn in.
“Personally and professionally this is a bitter sweet day for me and my family. I have a passion for public service and a continued desire to see our state progress. This next chapter allows me, in a way, to continue to do both,” said Skjonsberg. “I’ll miss our team and I will forever be indebted to Governor Rounds. At the same time, POET reflects everything that is truly great about South Dakota. I can’t envision a better place for me to be than with an industry leader like Poet. I’m blessed and thankful in so many ways.”
Skjonsberg will be relocating to the Sioux Falls area with his wife Larissa and their son Spencer. Skjonsberg’s last day as Chief of Staff will be November 21, 2007.
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