Founder & Board Members
Meet the Build Dakota Team
The Build Dakota Scholarship has provided thousands of students with the opportunity to graduate debt free and filled hundreds of high-need positions across the state. Meet the people who help make it happen: the founder and board members.
T. Denny Sanford
Founding Donor
First PREMIER Bank/PREMIER Bankcard
After spending decades growing several businesses in the South Dakota region, Mr. Sanford’s focus turned to philanthropy. Through his foundation for charitable giving, he’s been able to help sick, disadvantaged children by supporting and establishing hospitals, pediatric centers and more nationwide. He has also shown substantial support for the fields of scientific and medical research, driving initiatives to build children’s clinics worldwide and research for Type 1 Diabetes and breast cancer cures. Mr. Sanford has many other major areas of funding around the country. To date, his total giving is over one billion dollars.
Dana J. Dykhouse
CEO
First PREMIER Bank
Dana has served in the role of Chief Executive Officer of First PREMIER Bank since March of 1995. He also currently serves on the boards of the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce, Sanford Health, South Dakota Board of Technical Education and more. Dana has served in a variety of positions with financial institutions and state organizations throughout his career.
Jennifer Grennan, JD
Executive Vice President/Chief Administrative Officer
Sanford Health
As Sanford Health’s executive vice president and chief administrative officer, Jennifer Grennan, JD, is responsible for human resources, legal, risk, compliance and government affairs. She joined Sanford Health in 2009 and has held multiple positions in the organization’s legal department, including chief legal officer and vice president of legal. Grennan, a Sioux Falls native, holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a juris doctor from the Creighton University School of Law. Grennan lives in Sioux Falls with her husband, David, and their daughter.
Greg Carmon
Owner
Midwest Railcar Repair, Inc.
Greg is owner of South Dakota’s only railcar repair and leasing companies: Midwest Railcar Repair, Inc., and CarMath, Inc. He employs over 190 skilled technical laborers in the repair and modification of railroad cars. Greg has been active in business development organizations in both Brandon and Sioux Falls for more than 25 years, currently serving on four boards and several fundraising committees.
Derek DeGeest
President
DeGeest Corporation & LestaUSA
Derek pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in manufacturing. As a result, DeGeest Corporation is seen as a leader in software development, analytics, automation and robotics. As the third generation President, Derek is a passionate advocate for the industry, partnering with schools to encourage students to choose rewarding careers in manufacturing. He encourages manufacturers to achieve more through their people and technology in his podcast Manufacturing a Stronger Standard. In 2019, Derek was named Small Business Administration (SBA) Small Business Person of the Year for South Dakota.
Tenise Chapman
Co-Owner
Black Hills Tire
Tenise is the co-owner of Black Hills Tire, along with her husband, Weston and she is a driving force behind the company’s deep commitment to community. Tenise believes that a successful business doesn’t just serve customers, it strengthens the community around it.
Due to her passion for all forms of education, but specifically technical college education, she was recently appointed to the Western Dakota Technical College Board of Trustees.
Tenise is also the founder of Camp DRIVE, the first ever automotive camp created for youth, ages 12-15. Because of that and her commitment to growing the automotive industry, she was recently recognized as a finalist for the Women in AutoCare Shop Owner of the Year, which had over 100 nominations throughout the United States.
Outside of Black Hills Tire, you can find her and Weston hiking throughout the Hills with their beloved bernadoodles, Bee & Bel.
