South Dakota CARES, Inc
Board of Directors
Vince Braun - Board President for South Dakota CARES, Rapid City SD
I am the Vice President of Agency Operations for the Black Hills Workshop in Rapid City, South Dakota. I provide community support, housing and training services to adults with disabilities through programs licensed by the South Dakota Division of Development Services and have for over 30 years with the Black Hills Workshop. I have also served as board member for 25 years for the Black Hills Regional Food Bank, now the Community Food Banks. I feel that I have an abundance of knowledge to lead South Dakota CARES in providing services throughout our State.
Mr. Jerry Wattier - Treasurer for South Dakota CARES
I am an Attorney and Partner with Riter, Rogers, Wattier & Northrup, LLP in Pierre, SD. Twenty-five years ago, I worked for Easter Seals South Dakota, who is now South Dakota CARES. I feel very fortunate to be on this Board to help in the decision making process of such a viable program for South Dakota.
Brian Wagner
I have spent my career working for both children and adults with disabilities. My career started as a job coach at Hope Haven in Rock Valley, Iowa; a middle and high school special education teacher at Crow Creek Tribal School in Stephan, South Dakota; an elementary, middle and high school special education teacher at Lower Brule Day School in Lower Brule, South Dakota; a Transition Specialist for the Bureau of Indian Affairs for both the Crow Creek/Lower Brule and Rosebud Agencies, in Lower Brule, South Dakota; an Education Specialist for the Crow Creek, Lower Brule, Rosebud and Sisseton Agencies; a Special Education Coordinator for the Bureau of Indian Affairs for the Crow Creek/Lower Brule/Sisseton Agency in Lower Brule, South Dakota; and am currently the Special Education Director for the Oceti Sakowin Education Consortium (OSEC), which has its primary office in Kyle, South Dakota.
Tom Leckey
After serving as the Assistant to the Secretary of State for South Dakota and being self employed for many years prior to that, I am now retired. I have been a Caregiver for 3 years for my wife who suffered from a severe stroke. My daily care giving activities have given me the hands-on experience to guide South Dakota CARES in providing those same services to all South Dakotans.
Joyce Hazeltine
Joyce Hazeltine served as Secretary of State from 1987 - 2003 for South Dakota; ten years as first female Secretary of South Dakota Senate; two years as First Assistant Chief Clerk of House of Representatives; Joyce was the first woman to serve as Boys State Counselor for 9 years; founder and owner of Hazeltine Associates; Past President, National Association of Secretaries of State. Now, in Custer, SD since 2003, Joyce served as President and Board Member of the Black Hills Playhouse; President of Custer Republican Woman; Behavior Management Systems, Chiesman Center for Democracy; Member of South Dakota Banks Foundation Board and was honored by Elder's Wisdom, Children's Song program in Custer; and now serving as one of South Dakota CARES board members.
- Gordon Koch
Gordon Koch was raised in South Dakota and has been retired and living in the Pierre area since 2009. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland with a degree in Business Management and served on military active duty for 24 years as an Army officer. Upon leaving the military service in 1995 he pursued a career as an Information Technology consultant to the Department of Defense as an employee of Electronic Data Systems until his retirement and relocation back to Pierre. Gordon has been active as the past National President of the United States Army Warrant Officers Association, Chairman of the Pierre Historical Commission, member of the Pierre Economic Development Corporation and he is currently a substitute teacher in the Stanley County School System. Gordon and his wife Diana with their special needs son Christopher live in Pierre.