Nicholas Blaske - Executive Director

Nicholas grew up in Elk River, MN then attended Minnesota State University Moorhead, which he received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a focus on Graphic Design. He met his wife, the lovely Alexis Monroe, in Fargo which they then moved to Sisseton in 2008-9. He worked at the Sisseton Middle School as a paraprofessional in the Language Arts Department and cooked at the Buffalo Wallow on the weekends for 5 years before transitioning to Horton's Meat Processing as a meat cutter for the next seven years. During the last few years, Nicholas began to be more involved with the Sisseton Arts Council and the community of Sisseton, working on several public art projects including four unique murals and a sculpture, which can be viewed as part of the Art Square. He has worked as the Executive Director of the Sisseton Area Chamber of Commerce, Sisseton Economic Development Corporation, and the Sisseton Promotion Board since May of 2021, where he is working together to make Sisseton better!

Ben Hanson - President

Ben was born and raised in the Sisseton area, growing up on a farm east of Sisseton. He graduated from Sisseton in 1999 where he then attended Northern State University where Ben played football and earned a degree in Business Management in 2003. Ben married Carrie Nielsen in 2003, they now have two kids. Ben is President of the Sisseton Economic Development Corporation, President of Glacial Lakes 4-H Rodeo Club, Secretary/ Treasurer/ Captain of the Sisseton Fire Department, member of the Roberts County Rescue Squad, and has served on numerous boards including Sisseton Alumni Association, Horse and Buggy Days Committee, Celebrate Sisseton 125th Committee, and session member of First Presbyterian Church.

Gordon Nielson - Vice President

Gordon was born and raised in Northeast South Dakota, near the Peever and Sisseton area. Gordon began his studies at Northern State University receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in 1994. Gordon then attended the University of South Dakota School of Law where he graduated as a Sterling Honors Graduate in 1998. Upon graduation, Gordon served in the South Dakota National Guard Judge Advocate General Corp and joined the firm. In 2002, Gordon became a partner at Delaney, Nielsen & Sannes Law Firm. In his free time, Gordon enjoys spending time with his wife and four children.

Lori Finnesand - Board of Directors

Lori Finnesand is the Chief Executive Officer of GROW South Dakota and has over 25 years of experience with this organization that provides housing, community, and economic development activities in South Dakota. She has lived in the Sisseton community the majority of her life, a graduate of Sisseton High School. She received her Business Administration major from Concordia College, Moorhead, MN. She was on the Sisseton Area Chamber of Commerce for 9 years prior to serving on the SEDC board.

Mike Fisher - Board of Directors

Mike was born in Sisseton, attended school here and graduated from Sisseton High School in 1987.  He lived here most of his life.  In 1995, he married Tricia Schiltz and now has three daughters.  Mike bought K&K Convenience Store in 2009 and has since built his business to add two more c-stores in surrounding areas and rental properties in Sisseton.  Mike has served in the past on the Golf Course board and the Sisseton Promotion board.  He currently is serving on the Economic Development board where he has been a board member for four years.

Aarik Gray - Board of Directors

Aarik was born and raised in Sisseton before serving in the Air Force for seven years, following that he settled down in St. Paul and worked for U.S. Bank and Loss Control Solutions in Information Technology. He moved back to Sisseton in 2003 with his wife Carrie where they are currently raising their two boys and Aarik is employed at Woodland Cabinetry as the Chief Information Officer. Aarik is a varsity wrestling coach and has been on several boards and groups in town. He was a member of the Sisseton Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad for ten years. Aarik has been on the Sisseton Economic Development Corporation Board for the past five years.

Amber Kemnitz - Board of Directors
Amber was born and raised in Sisseton.  After high school, she attended Lake Area Tech in Watertown where she received her AAS degree in accounting.  After living in Watertown for several years and working at a credit union, she returned to Sisseton in 2010 as the Municipal Finance Officer.  She was appointed to the SEDC Board in 2020 as the City of Sisseton representative.  She serves on the Board of Directors for the Coteau Valley Federal Credit Union, the Sisseton Cemetery Board, and teaches Sunday school at Grace Lutheran Church.  She is married to Joel and has 3 sons.