Board of Directors
Cole Hoyer, President
term March 2024-March 2027
My wife Katie (Hendrickson) Hoyer and I live on an acreage just east of Lake Poinsett where we enjoy spending time gardening, landscaping, and taking our dogs on walks and for swims. I am working with my father-in-law Byron Hendrickson running his dairy farm while also owning my own share of dairy cows. I am originally from a small town in Western Wisconsin where I grew up on a small dairy farm which cultivated my passion for agriculture and for giving back to the community.
I am very excited to be a part of the Estelline Area Economic Development Corporation because I enjoy and thrive on giving back while also having an entrepreneur mindset. I hope while being on the EAEDC board to help grow the small business opportunities within our Estelline Area. Businesses are what drive our local economy and provides increased quality of life in our residents and visitors. I also would like to work on increasing the recreational opportunities for our community. I love the outdoors walking, biking, playing disc golf and I believe that increasing these opportunities in our community would be a great asset for Estelline.
Estelline is a great community and I look forward to working hard to help our community continue to thrive and grow.
Linda Salmonson, Vice President
term March 2025- March 2028
term March 2025- March 2028
I’ve lived in the Estelline area for over 40 years. I was raised in Canton and Brookings and spent some time in Oklahoma. My late husband, Butch, spent his entire life on the farm near Estelline, where I continue to live. My daughter Stephanie also grew up in Estelline and graduated from EHS.
While I’m now retired and spend time gardening and socializing in the summer; I like to travel, follow the Jackrabbits and stay engaged by serving the region. I spent some time on the Estelline Area Development Corporation (EAEDC) board in its early years and have been back on the board since 2019 or so. My career was spent primarily in Economic Development, first for the Watertown Area Career Learning Center as a business advisor, and then 30 years as Economic Development Manager at East River Electric Power Cooperative, where I led a lending team that invested over $100 million in the region over 25 years. I still serve on the Dakota Resources and the Interlakes Community Action Partnership boards as well as EAEDC.
I think Estelline is a great community with a lot of potential. Being located between Brookings and Watertown and a gateway to Lake Poinsett is both a blessing and a challenge. Blessing because we have access to larger communities and recreation, challenging because it’s easy to take our town and local businesses for granted, as if they will always be there!
I have found that being employed in Economic Development was much easier than serving as a volunteer!! EAEDC, an all volunteer group, is there to support the economic growth of the community. We are taking small steps, like creating the Healthy Hometown committee, supporting community pride with Yard of the Week, and taking advantage of learning opportunities, but need a constant flow of new ideas and participation because we can’t do it on our own. My thanks to all that participated in the EAEDC Community meeting last winter and to everyone who volunteers time for projects in and around Estelline. Seeing community members show they care about their town makes me excited about Estelline’s future.
While I’m now retired and spend time gardening and socializing in the summer; I like to travel, follow the Jackrabbits and stay engaged by serving the region. I spent some time on the Estelline Area Development Corporation (EAEDC) board in its early years and have been back on the board since 2019 or so. My career was spent primarily in Economic Development, first for the Watertown Area Career Learning Center as a business advisor, and then 30 years as Economic Development Manager at East River Electric Power Cooperative, where I led a lending team that invested over $100 million in the region over 25 years. I still serve on the Dakota Resources and the Interlakes Community Action Partnership boards as well as EAEDC.
I think Estelline is a great community with a lot of potential. Being located between Brookings and Watertown and a gateway to Lake Poinsett is both a blessing and a challenge. Blessing because we have access to larger communities and recreation, challenging because it’s easy to take our town and local businesses for granted, as if they will always be there!
I have found that being employed in Economic Development was much easier than serving as a volunteer!! EAEDC, an all volunteer group, is there to support the economic growth of the community. We are taking small steps, like creating the Healthy Hometown committee, supporting community pride with Yard of the Week, and taking advantage of learning opportunities, but need a constant flow of new ideas and participation because we can’t do it on our own. My thanks to all that participated in the EAEDC Community meeting last winter and to everyone who volunteers time for projects in and around Estelline. Seeing community members show they care about their town makes me excited about Estelline’s future.
Lynda Pierce, Secretary
term March 2024-March 2026
term March 2024-March 2026
I live on an acreage south of Estelline with my husband and two children. We raise Boer goats, mostly for fun, and my kids show them in 4H and ABGA shows. My daughter is currently stationed at Fort Sill, OK for basic training and will be serving in the SD Army National Guard. My son started a lawn and landscape company and is enjoying being outside all summer.
What is an Interesting Fact about yourself?
For all of you Jacks fans around here: I have a bachelor’s degree from both NDSU and SDSU. I cheer for both teams! Either way, I can’t lose.
What do you do for a living or what did you do?
I own Lily Design, a company that provides design services for residential and small commercial projects that include new homes, additions and remodels. I enjoy what I do because I get to help others achieve their goals/dreams.
What made you want to be a part of the Estelline Area Development Corporation?
I started attending the Development Corp meetings after being elected to the Estelline school board in 2019. I started as a school board liaison but quickly because a member because I wanted to help the community, not just the school, thrive.
What do you hope to achieve while being a part of the Development Corporation?
Our town needs more housing and a thriving business community. Downtown is the heart of all small communities so I hope to help bring it back to life. More quality houses will help attract and keep families in Estelline where they invest in the school and local businesses. It’s a win-win.
What is an Interesting Fact about yourself?
For all of you Jacks fans around here: I have a bachelor’s degree from both NDSU and SDSU. I cheer for both teams! Either way, I can’t lose.
What do you do for a living or what did you do?
I own Lily Design, a company that provides design services for residential and small commercial projects that include new homes, additions and remodels. I enjoy what I do because I get to help others achieve their goals/dreams.
What made you want to be a part of the Estelline Area Development Corporation?
I started attending the Development Corp meetings after being elected to the Estelline school board in 2019. I started as a school board liaison but quickly because a member because I wanted to help the community, not just the school, thrive.
What do you hope to achieve while being a part of the Development Corporation?
Our town needs more housing and a thriving business community. Downtown is the heart of all small communities so I hope to help bring it back to life. More quality houses will help attract and keep families in Estelline where they invest in the school and local businesses. It’s a win-win.
David Ebbers, Treasurer
term March 2024-March 2026
term March 2024-March 2026
My wife, Shelly and I have 4 children and six grandchildren. I have recently retired from working full time for Reliabank, although I remain on the Reliabank Board of Directors and Loan Committee as well as sell crop insurance. I am currently enjoying working on my yard and garden as well as woodworking. I spend many of my summer nights at the softball complex in Watertown as I am the head of the Watertown Area JO Youth Softball Association.
I grew up on a family farm in the Estelline area that two of my brothers continue to operate. I attended SDSU and returned to Estelline to work for Reliabank after college. I look forward to continuing to help the area grow and expand by helping our existing businesses and residents with new business opportunities as well as attract others to our area.
I grew up on a family farm in the Estelline area that two of my brothers continue to operate. I attended SDSU and returned to Estelline to work for Reliabank after college. I look forward to continuing to help the area grow and expand by helping our existing businesses and residents with new business opportunities as well as attract others to our area.
Jennifer
Bortnem-Risty
term March 2024-March 2027
Bortnem-Risty
term March 2024-March 2027
I live in Estelline with my husband Eric and the youngest four of our six children. We moved here in June 2012.
I am an 18-year member of the Bruce American Legion and have been the adjutant for much of that time.
I co-founded Midwest Maidens Roller Derby in 2012 in the Brookings Area and am their current Head Non-Skating Official.
I have choreographed for the Estelline High School Band’s colorguard’s active years since 2015.
I have been a volunteer EMT-B on the Estelline Ambulance Service since 2016.
I have been on the board of the Estelline Area Economic Development for almost 2 years now.
I dance with the Sons of Norway’s Nordic Nimble Feet with my children.
I began working at Estelline Nursing and Care Center as an Activities Aide in October 2023.
I learned more about and became interested in our corporation after the Healthy Hometown committee began meeting again after the pandemic hiatus; Healthy Hometown seemed like exactly the like-minded group that I could join to help with projects to keep and upgrade the health and beauty of our town and its residents. One of the projects they had wanted to do before the pandemic hit was to start an orchard at the community gardens, and we were able to plant six trees in July 2022. I joined the board that same year and have had amazing training opportunities that have some great ideas to level up our organization.
We have recently completed the BOLD program (which we will expand upon in later posts) and are working on goals set at the end of that program. It’s an exciting time to be part of the board.
I am an 18-year member of the Bruce American Legion and have been the adjutant for much of that time.
I co-founded Midwest Maidens Roller Derby in 2012 in the Brookings Area and am their current Head Non-Skating Official.
I have choreographed for the Estelline High School Band’s colorguard’s active years since 2015.
I have been a volunteer EMT-B on the Estelline Ambulance Service since 2016.
I have been on the board of the Estelline Area Economic Development for almost 2 years now.
I dance with the Sons of Norway’s Nordic Nimble Feet with my children.
I began working at Estelline Nursing and Care Center as an Activities Aide in October 2023.
I learned more about and became interested in our corporation after the Healthy Hometown committee began meeting again after the pandemic hiatus; Healthy Hometown seemed like exactly the like-minded group that I could join to help with projects to keep and upgrade the health and beauty of our town and its residents. One of the projects they had wanted to do before the pandemic hit was to start an orchard at the community gardens, and we were able to plant six trees in July 2022. I joined the board that same year and have had amazing training opportunities that have some great ideas to level up our organization.
We have recently completed the BOLD program (which we will expand upon in later posts) and are working on goals set at the end of that program. It’s an exciting time to be part of the board.
Molly Prinsloo
term June 2025-March 2028
More info coming soon
term June 2025-March 2028
More info coming soon
Renee Axtell, Mayor, City Ex Officio
More info coming soon
Darrion Poppen, Schools Ex Officio
More info coming soon
You?
Are you interested in becoming a board member? Download the application here. Elections are held in January. Applications are due December 10th.
Committees
