Justin is the VP of Business Lending for Black Hills Federal Credit Union in Rapid City. With more than 28 years of experience in the financial services industry, Gray assumed his current role in 2025. Prior to BHFCU, he was employed with Central Bank in Brookings as their Market President. He also worked at Wells Fargo Bank with their Management Development Program. Gray holds a bachelor's degree from South Dakota State University in Brookings. He has served on leadership boards for Brookings Economic Development Corporation, Dakota Resources, Rapid City YMCA, United Way of the Black Hills, and United Way of Siouxland.

Ruth served the financial services industry for 20+ years before retiring as Senior Vice President of Citi Community Development in 2022. She held a variety of previous positions, including Financial Controller for Citi Global Technology, Director of Operations for Citi's Student Loan Corporation, and Managing Director of Mortgage Wholesale Originations for CitiMorgage in St. Louis. Through her work at Citi and 30+ years in the military, Ruth understands the impact strong communities have on youth and families and is proud to be part of an organization that helps build those impacts. Ruth received her Bachelor's and Master's degress in Business Administration from the University of South Dakota. Ruth lives on an acreage in Garretson, SD, where she connects to the rural landscape through organic gardening and is a proponent of sustainability and giving back.

Paula Anderson is the Board Secretary/Treasurer of Consolidated Telecommunications of Dickinson, ND. She was elected to the board in 2009 and has received the Director Core Curriculum Certification through NTCA, the Rural Broadband Association. Paula started her accounting education at Dickinson State College and has worked as a bookkeeper in several local businesses & for the family farm. Paula and her husband of 40 years, Larry, live on a farm near Regent, farming with their son. They raise wheat, canola, corn, sunflowers, and soybeans. They are parents of 4 grown children and 3 grandchildren, all who reside in North Dakota. She is a graduate of NDSU’s Rural Leadership North Dakota Class VIII. As a Community Development project, Paula spearheaded the Cannonball Trail, obtaining grant dollars through the Industrial Commission’s Outdoor Heritage Foundation, and raising local donations and city contributions for this outdoor scenic trail along the Cannonball River in her hometown of Mott. Paula currently serves on the RDFC board providing assistance to leverage project financing to communities under 15,000 for local development groups and essential public services. She has been on the Hettinger County Historical Society board the past 15 years where they have completed several building renovation projects for the local museum. She serves on her township board and the Mott Visionary Committee. Having a passion and a heart for economic development, Paula is always eager to learn new things. She chooses to participate in rural development because she believes that it is important to maintain quality of life in rural America and to give back to the community.

David Sigloh is the President of the Rural Development Finance Corporation, a North Dakota nonprofit that provides assistance to communities and local development groups to leverage project financing, as well as provides assistance with essential public services, such as fire and ambulance services. David is a retired farmer/rancher. He and his wife, Penny, a retired local business owner, live on the family farm homesteaded by his grandfather in 1902. A director and president of Burke Divide Electric Coop, Sigloh is the chairman of its revolving loan fund committee for economic development. He is a director and past president of Upper Missouri Power Cooperative and a director for North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives. He is a graduate of North Dakota State University with a degree in Agronomy/Animal Science. A former member of the North Dakota National Guard, Sigloh is currently a director for the Kenmare Veteran’s Club and a volunteer EMT with the Kenmare Ambulance Service.

Jon Farris, a native of Woonsocket, SD, retired in 2023 following a distinguished career. With a Bachelor’s degree from South Dakota State University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix, Jon’s journey began as an investment broker. Later, he held key roles at the South Dakota Department of Agriculture, including Deputy Secretary and Director of Agriculture Development. He also served as an operations manager for a residential district and assisted in infrastructure development for local municipalities. In the private sector, Jon served as an Account Manager at DuPont Pioneer, leading sales efforts. His final role, at BankWest, saw him as a Special Assets Officer, specializing in debt recovery and resolution. Jon’s commitment to community engagement is evident through his involvement in the Mitchell Chamber Ag Committee.