Andy Weiss is the Controller for Cass County Electric Cooperative in Fargo, North Dakota. He oversees all the accounting and payroll for the Cooperative. Previously, he was an external auditor for a public accounting firm. As an external auditor, Andy primarily audited electric cooperatives and not-for profit entities. Andy graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from the University of North Dakota. He is a certified public accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Andy is also a director of the Rural Development Finance Corporation in North Dakota.

Rachael Sherard is the Senior Vice President of Rural Health Services at Avera Health, a Catholic-based integrated network made up of over 300 hospitals, medical practices, extended care facilities and other related health providers in South Dakota and surrounding states. In her role with Avera, she oversees the systems’ grant writing efforts, rural facility strategic planning, community-based programs and the system’s American Indian Health Initiative. Rachael received a Bachelors’ of Science Degree from South Dakota State University and her Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Sioux Falls. Prior to joining Avera, Rachael served as the Nutrition Director for Senior Citizens Services, Inc, which has been renamed, the Center for Active Generations. In this role, she managed the daily operations of the Senior Nutrition program in southeastern South Dakota.

Justin is the Market President with Central Bank in Brookings. With more than 24 years of experience in the financial services industry, Gray assumed his current role in 2019. Prior to Central Bank, he was employed with Wells Fargo. He joined Wells Fargo in 1997 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 the 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.

Lori Capouch, DA Secretary/Treasurer, is the director of the Rural Electric and Telecommunications Development Center, a cooperative development center supported by North Dakota’s electric and telecommunications cooperatives. The cooperative development center leads rural people through the grassroots development process, empowering them to create the businesses they desire in their communities. Her work includes providing technical assistance for emerging and expanding rural businesses across the state of North Dakota, with a focus on serving low-income areas and reservations within the state. In addition, Capouch is executive director to the Rural Development Finance Corporation, a nonprofit development corporation, and provides administrative services to the North Dakota Rural Electric Foundation where the focus is currently charitable rural development including food access, childcare and home care. Capouch serves on the board of directors for the North Dakota Consensus Council. She holds a BS in business management from the University of Mary, Bismarck, North Dakota. She is a certified economic development finance professional by the National Development Council. Capouch was a 2018 Fellow for the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies or BALLE, now known as Common Future.

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 joined BankWest in 2016 and serves as Special Assets Officer, providing  assistance in debt recovery, debt resolution and restructure. Previously he had worked for DuPont Pioneer as an Account Manager in east central South Dakota leading the sales efforts of Pioneer brand products. He worked for the South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) from 1994 to 2013, serving as Deputy Secretary, Acting Secretary and Director of the Agricultural Development Division. Prior to joining SDDA, Farris worked as an investment broker, served as an operations manager for a residential district and assisted in infrastructure development for local municipalities. Originally from Woonsocket, South Dakota, he grew up on a diversified farm and family business. Farris received his bachelor’s degree from South Dakota State University and his MBA from the University of Phoenix. He serves on the Mitchell Area United Way on the Board of Directors, and the Mitchell Chamber Ag Committee.