Christine Pierson, Executive Director

Hans Nelson, Board President 
Hans Nelson, a Spearfish, SD born native and Belle Fourche, SD graduate, is the Director for the Center for Hospitality & Business at Black Hills State University. His role at the University is to strategically expand the Tourism & Hospitality Management program in the Black Hills and South Dakota, while creating work-force centered trainings to support the variety of industry needs in Western South Dakota.
Prior to moving home in September of 2017 Hans lived in Minneapolis, MN working as the assistant director of English programs at Xperitas, a nonprofit education organization promoting global immersion experiences around the world. Prior to that he was a customer service manager and camp director at Endless Horizons, a network of businesses, promoting personal and organizational development, in Harrisburg, VA. Hans is a certified elementary teacher who served as head teacher at a Montessori International School in Bonn, Germany from 2013-2014. After graduating from the University of South Dakota in 2007 he traveled for five years around the world as a program director through a global education program known as Up with People based out of Denver, CO.
Hans has a passion for big ideas and being the catalyst for change. Most of the roles he has held were positions created specifically to fit his unique skill set in relationship building, program development and influential enthusiasm.

Barbara Donat, Board Vice-President 

Eric Jennings, Treasurer 

Scott McKirdy, Secretary

Jayna Frederickson

Ida Marie Snorteland

Carrie Donavon

Carrie Swanson