Jon Pederson

Chief Technology Officer
MIDCO

Jon Pederson currently serves as the Chief Technology Officer of Northern Plains technology leader MIDCO which serves more than 300,000 customers in 335 communities in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin with Internet, cable TV, home phone and home automation services.

Jon graduated from Southeast Tech in 1984 with a Computer Programming degree. He shares, “I chose to pursue computer programming because there was a need in the business community and I felt that the odds were good that I could get a decent paying job. I also had experience as a computer operator at my job that showed me I had an aptitude for technology.”

Jon is a visionary for his company and a community leader for Sioux Falls serving on the Board of Directors for the Great Plains Zoo. A Sioux Falls native, he is married with two children. He enjoys photography, golf, bike riding, four-wheeling, shooting sports and collecting and tasting fine whiskey. In addition, he builds furniture and has a serious passion for scuba diving which has allowed him to experience different cultures around the world.

“As Chief Technology Officer of MIDCO, I run the technology group and am a member of the senior executive team. The technology group is a talented team of individuals that design, build and maintain the network that connects our customers to Internet, video and voice services across a four state region.” He adds, “As a member of the senior executive team I interface with industry peers and innovative organizations such as Cablelabs to evaluate and develop new technology. I use these relationships to assist with strategic planning for MIDCO and the service provider industry.” Jon has also hired several graduates from Southeast Tech which have joined his technology team.

“Be mindful of the future and position yourself for success while stretching yourself a bit, but understand it’s more about the journey than the destination. Also, don’t forget the fundamentals; you’ll do best if you can write in complete sentences, speak in front of a group and be a generally nice person.” –Jon Pederson

Southeast Tech is proud to select Jon Pederson as its 2017 Alumnus of the Year!

 

Adam Cooper

Sales Executive
Howalt+McDowell Insurance

Born and raised in Sioux Falls, Adam loves the city and is looking forward to making his mark in his hometown. A 2010 graduate of the Business Administration program, Adam has found working in the insurance industry a perfect fit for his personality and his career goals. Today, he is a Sales Executive with Howalt+McDowell Insurance, a Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC company assisting businesses in managing risk through customized insurance programs and safety consulting. “I’m a people-person, so being able to meet all sorts of people, and meet with different business owners makes the day-to-day aspect very refreshing!”

Adam has eight years of experience in the insurance industry and has also committed himself to enriching the Sioux Falls’ community. He’s an Ambassador with the Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce, teacher for Junior Achievement, a Loaned Executive and is a member of the Emerging Leaders steering committee for the Sioux Empire United Way, member of the Advisory Board for Southeast Tech and a member of the Sales and Marketing Executives.

His passion for promoting and serving the Sioux Falls’ community is contagious and indicative of his giving and compassionate spirit. He shares, “If you take care of your community, your community will take care of you! As long as you put people’s interest before your own, you will find personal and professional success!” Adam also enjoys playing golf and hockey and spending time with his wife, Paige and son, Sebastian as well as his two Boxers, Nitro and Jynx.

Adam continues, “Businesses are looking for new, young, energetic employees with the practical knowledge of that industry. That is exactly what Southeast Tech provides. I couldn’t be happier with the education I received from Southeast Tech, and I’m very honored to have received the Alumnus of the Year Award.”

"The biggest thing I love about my career is networking. I believe building relationships is one of the most important aspects of being successful. From being involved with the Chamber of Commerce and Young Professionals Network, I’m able to talk with a lot of people as well as getting to know them. In the professional business industries, having connections is what can make or break your career.”
– Adam Cooper

 

Ryan Nolte

Regional Education Specialist and Key Account Clinical Specialist
Biosense Webster

For Ryan Nolte, a passion for biology, anatomy and physiology drove him to pursue a career in healthcare. Originally from Sioux Falls, Ryan attended Roosevelt High School. He became intrigued with the field of cardiac ultrasound after talking with a McKennan Hospital employee about the specialty, and was then further interested after a Southeast Tech high school visit.

In 1999, Ryan graduated from Southeast Tech with a Cardiac Ultrasound degree and has been working in the field ever since. Ryan notes, “I’m a Regional Education Specialist and Key Account Clinical Specialist for Biosense Webster, which is a Johnson and Johnson Medical Device Company. We make capital equipment and disposable catheters that focus on assisting heart rhythm procedures.”

Although not working as a technician in a procedure room anymore, Ryan is glad to take his knowledge and use it to educate those about products that save lives. “There is a great sense of job satisfaction when the knowledge and products you support contribute to the success of a patient’s complex heart procedure.”

After 17 years of working in the cardiac field, Ryan is still happy with his choice to attend Southeast Tech and how it helped launch his career. According to Ryan, “A degree from Southeast Tech gives your career a booster shot and puts you right into real work experience. It takes the best of your knowledge, builds on it then rewards you in so many ways when you do it well. You can’t ask for more in a career than that.” He adds, “When you graduate don’t stop learning. Southeast has a great way of getting you out into the field fast but what you continue to learn after you graduate will determine how you grow as a professional.”

Beck Skiles graduated in 2009 from the Surgical Technology program and is currently employed with Avera.

 

Jeffrey Boldt

President/Inside Operations Manager
Sayre Associates, Inc.

Growing up in Dell Rapids as a farm kid, Jeff Boldt knew he loved to build. On top of that, he enjoyed drawing, math, fixing and organizing...all perfect attributes for the career field he would one day enter.

In 1983, Jeff earned a diploma in Architectural & Civil Drafting Technology. "I feel I was very marketable with my diploma from Southeast Tech, in fact, I was working at my first job prior to graduating." Jeff returned to Southeast Tech a decade later to earn his Associate's in Applied Science degree in Civil Engineering Technology as a part-time student while working full-time at Sayre Associates, Inc. Not ready to finish his education, Jeff went on to further his degree at South Dakota State University. Jeff now leads Sayre Associates, Inc. as the President/Inside Operations Manager in Sioux Falls.

Jeff credits Southeast Tech for giving him a strong foundation to build his very successful career on. "I use the knowledge gained at Southeast Tech on a daily basis, whether that is through communication skills or technical duties. The instructors at Southeast Tech have real-world experience and know what the student needs to be a valuable asset to an employer."

 

Jennifer Stapleton

Compliance, Education and Training Specialist in Nuclear Medicine
Sanford USD Medical Center

In 1993, Jennifer Stapleton graduated from Southeast Tech with a degree in Nuclear Medicine. A Sioux Falls native, Jennifer was attracted to Southeast Tech because of its rapid growth and number of health care programs it offered. She remembers, "I wanted to pursue a formal education; however, I also wanted to accomplish my goal sooner than four years."

Today, Jennifer serves as the Compliance, Education, and Training Specialist in Nuclear Medicine at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD. Although a demanding and critical position, she ensures that Southeast Tech provided her with the educational foundation she has built her entire career upon.

 

Bob Jensen

Director of Assessment Technology and Information Services
Sioux Falls School District

A graduate of Southeast Tech in both 1969 and 1974 with two Computer Programming diplomas, Bob Jensen is the Director of Assessment Technology and Information Services for the Sioux Falls School District.

Bob was certain of his desire to enter the fascinating and new world of computers after visiting with representatives from IBM at a college career day at his high school in Watertown. At the time, Bob was entering such a new field of study that many of his counterpoints thought it ridiculous, even a ‘lost career path’.

Sticking to his instinct that computers were the wave of the future, Bob researched to find training that would put him on the cutting edge of this innovative technology. That search brought him to Southeast Tech. “Through my research, Southeast Tech offered the training that I was looking for so I enrolled into the program,” Bob shares.

Today, Bob manages 28 employees and his department serves 37 sites plus seven remote sites, 21,000 students, 1,600 teacher and 1,400 employees. “This job is always changing, it’s been a great field to be in and there’s never been a dull moment. It’s rewarding to see the excitement students have when they get to take advantage of the new technology we introduce to them. Southeast Tech gave me an excellent foundation to start my career and today is second to none with their technology they provide for students.”

 

Nancy J. Hughes

President and Chief Operating Officer
The Dunham Company

A 1980 graduate of the Advertising Design program, Nancy J. Hughes is the President and Chief Operating Officer of The Dunham Company located in Sioux Falls, SD.

In 1983, Nancy began her career as a secretary with a small company, The Dunham Company, assisting the owner, Don Dunham, with property management. By the time the company had moved into building projects, she started to work with accounting as well.

Today, The Dunham Company isn’t a small business anymore and Nancy is no longer the secretary. Having proven herself many times over the years, today she heads the company as the President and Chief Operating Officer. As to how her modest start at Southeast Tech helped her on her journey? “Southeast Tech is a little treasure out there that I don’t think everyone is familiar enough with. In my position, I still utilize my advertising and marketing skills every day. Dollar for dollar I think you get a better bang for the buck through a technical school.”

 

Anthony Wiseman

Field Project Manager
Sioux Falls Construction

When Madison native Anthony Wiseman enrolled at Southeast Technical Institute in 1993, his goal was to become a civil engineering tech. Building on his associate’s degree in Civil Engineering Technology from Southeast Tech and just 16 years of experience, he has become a leader in the building industry with one of Sioux Falls most respected construction companies. Today, Anthony works as a Field Project Manager with Sioux Falls Construction. He notes, “Every aspect of my career started at Southeast, from the training itself to initial placement in a strong firm. It gave me the foundation to allow me to advance onto larger opportunities.”

Anthony has been with Sioux Falls Construction Company since 1999, starting as an Assistant Superintendent and working his way up to his current position. “When I graduated from Southeast, my first position was working as a Civil Engineering tech with a company in Mitchell. The main reason I joined Sioux Falls Construction was because I wanted to be more involved with projects. I enjoy a very deep involvement with the owners of each project who are generally very passionate about their building. I really enjoy being knowledgeable enough to give direction and provide answers.” He smiles, “Motivating others to get a project done well is my job. I love it.” According to Sioux Falls Construction President Dave Fleck, “Anthony is one of our bright young leaders who mentors and encourages the other employees in our company. He is always assigned to some of our largest and most complex projects because he has the unique ability to see the critical path through a project schedule, and with collaborative efforts of all subcontractors, suppliers, design professionals and the owner, delivers these projects on time.”

One of the newest stockholders in Sioux Falls Construction, Anthony has worked on multiple prestigious projects such as the impressive Cherapa Place which has taken residence where the Zip Feed Mill used to preside. Leading the charge for green construction, he is also extremely involved in LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Professional Accreditation). Fleck notes, “He was the first in our company to be LEED AP certified and has encouraged many others with an interest in green building to attain their certification as well.” Anthony shares, “When I first started out, I thought a building was a building. I quickly learned that this industry isn’t just made up of builders and designers. It’s much more collaborative than that. You’re helping to create schools and hospitals, structures that really touch many different people. What I have discovered in my career, is that engineering technology is a great field to be in. It offers multiple opportunities and I have had great success and satisfaction because of it.”

 

Keila Smith

Executive Assistant
Sanford USD Medical Center

A 1992 graduate of Southeast’s Administrative Assistant program, Keila Smith has since become a well-respected employee at Sanford USD Medical Center. Celebrating her 15th year with the organization in 2007, Keila has advanced from a department secretary to her prestigious position of Executive Assistant, supporting two Vice Presidents.

Serving as a knowledgeable and compassionate mentor to new department personnel, Keila has become a vital resource for others over the years. She was celebrated as the November 2004 Hero of the Month for Sanford USD Medical Center, and her latest recognition includes the 2008 YWCA Tribute to Women, Administrative Professional Award.

Keila’s most recent significant contribution to Sanford’s success is related to a national cancer center research project through the National Cancer Institute. Keila assisted with researching facts, drafting narrative, creating presentations, and finalizing information for the application. Sanford was selected as one of 14 organizations across the nation to participate in and receive funding for this three year project. Keila’s involvement with this project will be ongoing. She was also instrumental in the communication process to provide a recent gift of a Bi-Plane Cath Lab from the Sanford organization to Southeast Technical Institute to enhance healthcare training initiatives.

“Obtaining my education from Southeast Technical Institute was one of the best choices I have made. The Administrative Assistant program provided an excellent curriculum focusing on all necessary skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this type of position. I have worked at Sanford USD Medical Center for 15 years in various roles, working with several Executives, including the President. My schooling opened other doors for exciting opportunities such as serving on the Southeast Tech Office Systems Advisory Board for two years. I have a very successful and satisfying career.”

 

Lanny J. Auringer

President and Owner
Innovative Design & Management Services

A 1985 graduate of Southeast’s Architectural/Civil Engineering Technology program, Lanny J. Auringer has since become a well-respected business owner and industry leader in the Sioux Falls area.

Lanny spent his first 10 years working for architectural firm Rysavy Hartman Leither, where he also became a registered Architect. After leaving RHL, he worked for a number of firms in the Sioux Falls area including a real estate developer and a contractor. This diverse work experience in addition to his hands-on practical education at Southeast is what he credits with giving him the broad range of expertise that has allowed him to experience the success he has had.

Today, Lanny is President and owner of the architectural firm Innovative Design & Management Services, which he started in August of 2004. His company was selected as one of the ‘Top 10 Architecture Firms’ in Sioux Falls by the Sioux Falls Business Journal in March of 2007.

“The value of my technical education enabled me to immediately find a job in the architectural field. The education I received at Southeast provided a great foundation and technical knowledge which allowed me to further develop my capabilities with on-the-job-training and experience. I recently hired a Southeast graduate and I could not be happier with the level of knowledge that Alan has brought into our organization, and how he’s been able to excel. He’s invaluable to us after one short year, and I feel Alan has a tremendously bright future in front of him.”

Innovative Design & Management Services specializes in architecture and project management services for private developers and contractors. With business booming, Lanny has added five positions to his firm in less than three years and is considering adding another staff member. “I’ve grown much quicker than I thought I would have. We have been very blessed with great clients and plenty of work. Initially, I anticipated working alone for a number of years. With the expansion we have experienced we are now challenged with keeping up with the growth. We’re seriously considering additional growth but at a more controlled pace than during the past two years. We want to focus on the clients we’ve been working with and provide them with the best service possible.”

In addition to owning and operating his firm, Lanny is very involved in the Sioux Falls community serving on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity, an active member of the Cosmopolitan Club and an Elder at his church. Lanny and his wife Tammy enjoy living just outside of Sioux Falls with their four children; Nic, Taylor, Miranda and Madison.

Mr. Auringer received the Outstanding Alumni Award at Southeast Tech’s Graduation Ceremony on May 11, 2007.