Staff

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Lynne Keller Forbes

Executive Director

605-681-8172

Lynne serves as the Executive Director of Dakota BUSINESS Finance (DBF), the South Eastern Development Foundation (SEDF), and the South Eastern Council of Governments (SECOG).  Lynne has served as Director of SECOG since 2001 and led the organization's efforts to create the South Eastern Development Foundation and Dakota BUSINESS Finance.

Lynne is a Certified Economic and Housing Development Professional through the National Development Council.  She has a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from St. Leo College, St. Leo, FL and a Juris Doctorate Law Degree from the University of South Dakota.

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Erik Barnes

Senior Loan Officer

605-681-8122

As a Senior Loan Officer, Erik is responsible for marketing, underwriting, and packaging loans for the SBA 504 Loan Program through Dakota BUSINESS Finance and the Southeastern Development Foundation Regional Revolving Loan Fund.

Erik received his Bachelor degree in Economics from South Dakota State University. Erik has been in commercial lending for over five years.

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Barb Berg

Closing Officer

605-681-8034

As a Closing Officer, Barb is responsible for closing business loans financed by the SBA 504 Loan Program through Dakota BUSINESS Finance and the South Eastern Development Foundation Regional Revolving Loan Fund.

Barb has extensive knowledge of legal and title documents from her prior experience as a legal assistant and title agent.

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Jim Feeney

Planner II

605-681-8175

Jim coordinates the transportation planning activities of the Sioux Falls Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO).

Prior to SECOG, Jim worked in state government in Pierre for 39 years. Jim graduated from South Dakota State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science and Minors in Economics and Mathematics.

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Harley Ferguson

Planner I

605-681-8135

Harley supports the planning efforts of SECOG’s member communities in Lincoln, Turner, and Union counties by assisting with the application and administration of grants and loans.

Harley earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Oglala Lakota College.

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Danielle Franco

Planning Specialist

605-681-8177

Danielle supports the planning efforts of SECOG's member communities by assisting with the application and administration of grants and loans. Danielle is also responsible for marketing and coordinating events for Dakota BUSINESS Finance and SECOG.

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Betty Gates

Paraprofessional Bookkeeper

605-681-8171

Betty supports SECOG by maintaining accurate financial records and performing bookkeeping functions.

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LaJena Gruis

Servicing Analyst

605-681-8178

As a Servicing Analyst, LaJena is responsible for working with staff, lenders, and business owners to service business loans financed by the SBA 504 Loan Program through Dakota BUSINESS Finance and the Southeastern Development Foundation Regional Revolving Loan Fund. 

LaJena holds an Associate’s degree in Accounting from Southeast Technical Institute. She has extensive experience with the SBA 504 loan program. 

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Sean Hegyi

Planner I

605-681-8176

Sean supports the planning efforts of SECOG’s member communities in Clay, McCook, and Minnehaha counties by assisting with the creation of and amendments to municipal codes, zoning ordinances, and land subdivision regulations.

Sean received his Bachelor of Secondary Education degree from Indiana University and Juris Doctor degree from the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Law.

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Levi Jayom

GIS Technician/Land Use Planner I

605-681-8174

Levi performs a variety of GIS tasks such as maintaining Geographic Information System (GIS) databases and providing GIS analysis and mapping services to all six of SECOG’s counties and the communities within those counties.

Levi holds a master’s degree in Geography with a GIS Specialization from South Dakota State University, as well as a Bachelor's Degree in City, Community, and Regional Planning.

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Sophie Johnson

Community Development Manager

605-681-8184

Sophie supports the planning efforts of SECOG’s member communities by assisting with the application and administration of grants and loans.

Sophie earned a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of South Dakota and a Doctorate in Public Administration from California Baptist University.

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Lisa Moeller

Loan Specialist

605-681-8132

As a Loan Specialist, Lisa is responsible for underwriting and packaging loans for the SBA 504 Loan Program through Dakota BUSINESS Finance and the South Eastern Development Foundation Regional Revolving Loan Fund.

Lisa is a graduate of Augustana University and previously worked as a Customer Service Representative at a local bank.

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Dan Park

Loan Officer

605-681-8187

As a Loan Officer, Dan is responsible for marketing, underwriting, and packaging loans for the SBA 504 Loan Program through Dakota BUSINESS Finance and the Southeastern Development Foundation Regional Revolving Loan Fund.

Dan received his Bachelor of Science degree in Agri-Business from South Dakota State University. Daniel had previously worked for 30 years in a community bank and is a licensed insurance agent and real estate broker. 

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Jenny Skinner

Closing Officer

605-681-8120

As a Closing Officer, Jenny is responsible for closing business loans financed by the SBA 504 Loan Program through Dakota BUSINESS Finance and the South Eastern Development Foundation Regional Revolving Loan Fund.  

Jenny holds an Associate’s degree in Financial Services from Southeast Technical Institute and brings with her over 21 years of banking experience.

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Laura Spencer

Credit Analyst

605-681-8179

As a Credit Analyst, Laura is responsible for assisting with the underwriting and packaging of loans for the SBA 504 Loan Program through Dakota BUSINESS Finance and the South Eastern Development Foundation Regional Revolving Loan Fund. 

Laura graduated from the University of Sioux Falls with a degree in Management and brings with her over 30 years of finance experience.

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Amanda Swier

Executive Assistant

605-681-8182

Amanda is responsible for the administrative support of the staff of SECOG, Dakota BUSINESS Finance and the South Eastern Development Foundation. Amanda also assists with SEDF's affordable and recycled home development.

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Dave Swier

Construction Manager

605-681-6001

As Southeastern Development Foundation's Construction Manager, Dave oversees SEDF’s workforce housing construction projects which consists of the construction of Governor's Houses, moving and rehabilitation of “recycled” homes that would otherwise be demolished, and the acquisition and rehabilitation of existing dilapidated housing stock. 

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Sydney Waltner

Loan Assistant

605-681-8133

As a Loan Assistant, Sydney provides administrative support for the SBA 504 Loan Program through Dakota BUSINESS Finance and the Southeastern Development Foundation Regional Revolving Loan Fund. 

Sydney recently graduated from Southeast Technical College with an Associate’s degree in Accounting.