Board Member Biography & List
Michael Gross - President
“I am married with 5 kids and live in Brandon, SD. My oldest is a Senior and my youngest is in 3rd grade. My wife works for the post office and holds our family together. I work as a realtor for a great company and love what I do. My favorite thing about the St. Francis House is you are family.”
Matt Krall - Vice President
“With an entrepreneurial spirit and over 25 years of dedicated experience in the consumer finance industry, I am a passionate business executive who wakes up every morning with a mission to inspire individuals to pursue what truly ignites their passion. Rooted in a deep commitment to providing both opportunities and access, I have successfully navigated the dynamic landscape of the business world. Beyond the boardroom, my world is enriched by a loving family, including two incredible boys and an amazing wife who fuels my drive to make a positive impact on the lives of others.”
Troy Rames - Treasurer
“After serving 20 years in the US Air Force, I was a weather forecaster stationed in Germany, Korea, Alaska and many other places in between. I was also actively deployed in England and Iraq, and managed the weather station in Iraq and Malstrom AFB, Montana. After military service, I returned to Sioux Falls and began my career being a financial advisory and an assistant trust officer. I am married to my wife Dawn, for 22 years. We have a grown daughter and a grandson who is 11 years old. I am an avid outdoorsman and enjoy hunting, biking and traveling whenever possible with Dawn.”
“As a past director for the Department of Social Services I oversaw the planning and development of the state’s major public assistance programs including Medicaid eligibility: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; Low Income Energy Assistance; Weatherization; Community Services Block Grant; Sales Tax on Food Refund Program; Auxiliary Placement for Youth; and the Office of Quality Control and I lead over 325 staff with a strong conviction to helping families. The state level I represented at the Department of Social Services on numerous councils including the South Dakota Council for Persons with Developmental Disabilities; Council for Juvenile Justice; Mental Health Advisory Council; S.D. Task Force on Long Term Care Reimbursement; Out of State Placement Committee for Youth in state custody or at risk of being in state custody. I am married and have 2 children and 6 grandchildren, and dog named Marty (Martin).”
Sharon Sonnenschein - Secretary
“I work for the Presentation Sisters as the Director of Laudato Si’. I work in Sioux Falls and Aberdeen. I have an amazing husband and 2 pretty awesome children. Ashlee and her husband Griff live in Brandon with my beautiful grandchildren, Flynn, Saylor and Hayes. My son Jordan and his new wife Rebecca live in Richfield, MN. I love being on the SFH Board for the mission and enjoy serving monthly.”
Jamie Risse
“I am a graduate of O’Gorman, Nebraska (BA) and USD (JD/MBA). After starting my career as a private practice attorney, I joined Lloyd Companies as General Counsel. I am also actively involved in the community, having served on several non-profit boards and committees. I am married to Jessica and have two daughters, Louella and Colette.”
Dan Doyle
“I am a former executive at Sanford and Midco, where I held leadership roles in HR, IT and operations. My wife’s name is Teresa and she is a nurse at Avera in the same day surgery department. We have two children, Quinn and Libby which both reside in Minneapolis. I have been on the board since 2022.”
Brad Schoenfelder
“I am a seasoned Avera HR Executive with 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry. Beyond shaping organizational cultures and employee experiences, I bring a personal touch as a devoted husband to Brooke and proud father of three boys; Holden, Loften and Thaden. My commitment extends from leadership tables at Avera to family moments, creating a holistic approach to leadership.”
Seth Hilmore
“I support Sanford Sports marketing strategy creation and implementation through the Sanford Health footprint. My wife Molly and I have a one-year-old, Lincoln, who keeps us busy every day!”
Dylan Urias
“My name is Tyler Blotske. I have a family of 3, my wife Kjerstin and our 1 year old Daughter Briar. We have lived in Sioux falls for 5 years now and were glad to be involved with St. Francis House again. I work for Lippert components in Brandon SD where we manufacture vehicle accessories such as running boards, mirrors, grill guards, and mud guards to name a few. We are very passionate about using business as a force for good and encouraging community involvement.”
Tyler Blotske
“I had a 23-year Air Force career followed by another 23-year non-profit career at Feeding South Dakota. I retired in August of 2021 to spend more time with my wife of 50 years, my three sons, their wives and 13 amazing grandchildren. In addition to attending my grandchildren's many activities I also enjoy golfing and working on my classic car.”
Matt Gassen
“I am the Chief Operating Officer at Midco, the leading broadband provider in the Midwest. I have been with the company for 13 years now and are passionate about providing a best-in-class customer experience. My wife’s name is Mindy, we have been married for 15 years and have two children, a 12-year-old daughter Sophie and a 10-year-old son Spencer. We enjoy supporting the kids in their activities including soccer, volleyball, basketball, football, baseball, and robotics.”
Ben Dold
“I’m Jason Wallen. I was raised as a rural farm kid in southwest Minnesota. I have worked in the financial industry for the last 20+ years. Roughly 13 of those years I have specialized in providing Learning & Development, Talent, and Organizational Development strategies to banking institutions. I currently lead the Learning & Development program for PREMIER Bankcard. My personal life is filled three children, Rialey, Dawson, and Jaida, along with the most supportive wife Shanna. In our spare time you’ll find the family doing something active and outdoors; waterskiing, hiking, travel, and chasing after the kids’ sporting events.”
Jason Wallen
“I am the Assignment Manager for KELOLAND Media Group. A Sioux Falls native, my career with KELO spans 45+ years. I am an active member of Holy Spirit Church and have served in various roles at the parish. I have a passion for serving others in need and am in my third term on the St. Francis House Board of Directors. I am married and have three children.”
Dexter Gronseth
“I am the executive director of Doctors for America, a national non-profit physician advocacy organization. My superpower is bringing people together to find mutually beneficial solutions to solve problems. I take inspiration from Mother Teresa who says, "The most terrible poverty is loneliness, and the feeling of being unloved." At the St. Francis House, the guests are loved, valued and respected through the organization's hand up approach! I couldn't stay away from the mission of the St. Francis House; this is my second time on the SFH Board.”
Angie Bakke
“My name is Hanna Fenske and I have worked at Scheels for 7 years in different capacities with this awesome company! I am currently the Men’s Athletic specialty shop manager! I’m married and my hubby and I have the sweetest golden doodle named Teddy!”
Hanna Fenske
“My name is Tom Fuller, and I am a Senior Vice President of Human Resources and serve as the Human Resource Advisor to the US Personal Banking Operations business at Citi. I have worked for Citi for 22 years and I have had the opportunity to serve on the board of directors at The Banquet, The Compass Center and as session board member at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Sioux Falls. My wife Melanie and I have one four-legged child, Toby, a yellow lab and we love doing anything outdoors like camping, hunting, fishing, hiking and running. I look forward to making a difference as a board member at the St. Francis house”.
Tom Fuller
“I am the AVP of Mortgage Services for Levo Credit Union. I have been in the mortgage industry for 26 years and have been with Levo for last 14 years. I’ve lived in the Sioux Falls area my entire life. My husband Khalid and I have been together for 27 years, we have two amazing children that are grown and starting families of their own. My passion lies in making a difference in people’s lives by working collaboratively and fostering a sense of well-being.”
Teresa Jorgensen