PIERRE, S.D. - President of the South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation (PWF), Karen Gundersen Olson, announced today that William May of Rapid City, Jim Spies of Watertown and Dale Jahr of Sioux Falls will serve on the Foundation’s Board of Directors.

“Each new board member has exceptional abilities to further the Foundation’s mission of soliciting and encouraging support to preserve and protect South Dakota's natural resources and outdoor heritage while expanding recreational and educational opportunities in our state,” said Gundersen Olson.

William May is a resident of Rapid City and has served as CEO/General Counsel for the Black Hills Surgical Hospital, LLP since 2004. He is also a member of the Rapid City Chamber of Commerce.

Jim Spies is the President of Spies Corporation, which owns and manages the Cowboy Country convenience stores throughout the region. Spies is a Watertown resident and a lifetime member of the following organizations: Dallas Safari Club, the Safari Club International, Ducks Unlimited, Wild Sheep Foundation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Wild Turkey Foundation, Grand Slam/OVIS, Boone and Crocket Club and the Wild Sheep Foundation. He recently retired as a member of the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission.

Dale Jahr is a private consultant providing business, strategic and creative services to businesses, including publicly traded, privately held and start-up companies and is a recent resident of Sioux Falls. He has successfully led corporate efforts in the areas of communication, marketing, public and media relations, investor relations and strategic planning.  

These three join 11 other board members including: Jeff Scherschligt, Sarah Richardson Larson (Vice President), Kathryn Anderson and Kevin Nyberg of Sioux Falls, Larry Ness of Yankton, Tom Krafka (Secretary-Treasurer) of Rapid City, Spencer Hawley of Brookings, Dick Behl of Scotland, Karen Gunderson Olson (President) and Jack Lynass of Rapid City. Ex officio members include Kelly Hepler, GFP department secretary and Barry Jensen, GFP Commission vice chair.

About the South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation: The Foundation is a non-profit, 501(c) (3) charitable support organization for the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks (GFP). In the past five years, the Foundation has focused on raising private and public funds to create Good Earth State Park at Blood Run near Sioux Falls, renovating bridges on the Mickelson Trail, constructing the new Custer State Park Visitor Center and Theater as well as renovating the Peter Norbeck Outdoor Education Center in Custer State Park.

-GFP-    

GFP Mission: The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks provides sustainable outdoor recreational opportunities through responsible management of our state’s parks, fisheries and wildlife by fostering partnerships, cultivating stewardship and safely connecting people with the outdoors.