The Chamber announced they are replacing(?) Debra Owen;
The Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce announced Thursday that Mitch Rave has been hired as the organization’s vice president of public policy.
The son of former South Dakota House Speaker Tim Rave, he holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of South Dakota.
Debra confirmed to me she left the Sioux Falls Chamber and is happy to be moving on. Her husband David leads the State Chamber. Debra’s title was VP/Director of Public Policy, so I am assuming Tim is replacing her.
Mitch has some big shoes to fill. Besides years of government experience working for the City of Sioux Falls as clerk and a top legal advisor to Governor Daugaard. Debra also has a law degree and has extensive knowledge about city and state government.
In my dealings and conversations with Debra in the past, she was always fair and listened to your side, she didn’t always agree but was never combative and would always dig for answers, probably the reason former Mayor Mike Huether* pushed for her termination. City government has a knack at getting rid of the good ones.
Mitch’s dad, Tim Rave, is president and CEO of the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations and sits on the Board of Regents.
*SPEAKING OF MIKE, WHO IS RUNNING FOR SIOUX FALLS MAYOR?
The list is still pretty short but it seems Mike Huether and Christine Erickson may be in. They have both been reaching out for early support (Mike more then Christine) I have not heard any more rumblings about Alex Jensen. Greg Jamison will also probably be exploring a mayoral bid, and I think if Huether officially announces he will jump in.
Another name that was floated was Vaney Hariri. I guess friends and colleagues have been asking him to run. I don’t know him personally so I have no idea if he is taking the encouragement seriously but he would be a great addition to the field.
I want Christine and Mike to know I have been greasing up the way back machine, and once I get it running it will probably start smoking once it’s gets to your government careers. Erickson has a much better record, and has shown to be a good campaigner. Winning both a school start date ballot initiative and the slaughterhouse vote (even though they mothballed the place).
I think any outside candidates are going to have fun watching these two duke it out on the debate stage.
Debra Owen will land somewhere better. She’s excelled at everything she’s ever done.
Not Huether. No more crazy. Erickson kinda. City government might mature from a sexist atmosphere. Jamison would be best but he’s to honest for corrupt contractors and developers. None of these could raise $500k from white collar crime. Sad but it takes more than 4 years mayors salary to get elected. How about Trump?
As long as the next mayor isn’t so vain that he needs a selfie and a camera crew everywhere he goes, it’ll be fine.
I’d vote for Mike Z before Mike H.
Anyone but Mike H.
a david z vs mike z battle would be epic.
Anyone but Herr Huether. Total narcissist and only cares about Mike
With all due respect to changes in life for Ms. Owen the result of this situation, it doesn’t really represent a shake up.
Rather, simply, more of the same.
Executive Chairman of Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce (also President of Sanford Health Sioux Falls) hires Sanford Health’s lobbyist as VP of Public Policy for the Chamber.
Munchkin Mayor has no political support. A crybaby in a tennis skirt is not popular with voters.
It’s Heels to lose.
Seriously, anyone who is up against selfie in a run off (if there is one) gets my vote. Bit of insider info here, but he pretty much single handedly destroyed employee morale.
who destroyed employee morale? The chamber? The city?
Never thought I would say this. Between ten haken, erikson and huether, I would choose huether. At least he was willing to engage with the public. The other two I do not trust. Don’t trust huether either, but the other two I trust less.
Someone better than Mike H will run. Pretty much anyone who does will be better.
It’s times like this, that I bet some members of the Chamber wish they belonged to a union.