Wade Risse (Bonnie) - President of the Board

Wade Risse

Zone 8 – At Large

Wade graduated from Bennett County High School in 1986. In 1994, he married his wife Bonnie, and they have four children. He ranches and raises Angus cattle in the Risse Half Box V Family Ranch operation. He has served on the Bennett County Fair Board and St. Martin's Knights of Columbus Council for a number of years. Wade has served on Lacreek's board since 2013.

Brent Ireland (Tauna) - Vice-President of the Board

Brent Irelan

Zone 2 - East Bennett County

Brent was raised in Martin and is a graduate of Bennett County High School. He earned a Mechanical Engineering degree from Brigham Young University. He spent nine years in the oil, gas and petrochemical industries (mostly in Texas) before returning to Martin to the farm/ranch he grew up on. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Dakota Lakes Research Farm in Pierre since 2006. He and his wife, Tauna. have four children. Since returning to Martin he has been involved with area youth athletics (flag football, baseball, wrestling).  He also coached wrestling at Bennett County High School for 14-years. Brent has served on Lacreek's board since 2015.

Scott Larson (Carrie) - Secretary of the Board

Scott Larson (Carrie)

Zone 1 – City of Martin

Scott was born in Pierre, S.D., and raised in Martin, S.D. He graduated from Bennett County High School in 1987, attended Mitchell Vo-Tech, and in 1989, joined the United States Army. That same year, he married Carrie, also a Martin local, and they now have two grown sons. After serving in the Gulf War, Scott focused his profession in the building trades and has owned his own residential construction company since 1995. Scott also continued his education at the University of South Dakota. He has served as Martin City Foreman, Martin Code Enforcement Officer, and spent five years as a city councilman. He also served as American Legion Post 240 Commander for four years. Over the years, Scott has coached American Legion Baseball, flag football, AAU wrestling and was an assistant coach for high school wrestling. He enjoys his job, hunting and fishing, friends and family and loves life enough to smile infectiously. Scott has served on Lacreek's board since 2019.

Tom Schlack (Karen) - Treasurer of the Board

Tom Schlack

Zone 7 – Cherry Co., NE

Tom is a graduate of Bennett County High School and the University of South Dakota. Tom also worked for Lacreek Electric as a journey lineman for seven years. He has ranched in the Eli area since 1981. Tom has served on Lacreek's board since 1988.

Clarence Allen

Clarence Allen

Zone 1 – City of Martin

Clarence was raised northeast of Long Valley, S.D. He came to Bennett County in 1972 and began farming and ranching. Clarence worked for Mueller Feeds and Pride Grain for 23 years while still farming and ranching. He retired from Pride Grain in June of 2012. Clarence still runs cattle and helps others in the area. Clarence and his late wife Nancy, have four grown children. Clarence has served on Lacreek's board since 2014.

Troy Kuxhaus (Amie)

Troy Kuxhaus

Zone 3, West Bennett

Troy has been a lifelong resident of Bennett County. He was born in 1969, graduated high school at Bennett County in 1987, and graduated from Western Dakota Tech in 1989 as a Certified Welder. In 1990, he married Amie also a local resident and they have two children, (Keven and Colin). They reside on the family farm west of Martin that he owns and operates. He is the third generation Kuxhaus to run the family farm. He served on the FSA board for nine years. He is a member of the Batesland Volunteer Fire Department. Hobbies include friends, and family ventures of hunting, fishing and vacations. Troy has served on Lacreek's board since 2013.

Clifford Lafferty (Sherry)

Clifford Lafferty

Zone 6 – Todd & Mellette Co.

Clifford has been a lifelong resident of Todd County.  He has been a rancher for the majority of his life.  He and his wife Sherry have been married for over 40-years and have two grown children.  Clifford currently serves on the Rosebud Sioux Tribal Council. Clifford has served on Lacreek's board since November 2019.

Cole Lange (Joy)

Cole Lange

Zone 9 – West Oglala Lakota Co.

Cole has lived on his ranch in Oglala his whole life, which he has been running since the age of 18.  He is also a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe.  He has served on the FSA Board in Martin and been a Shannon County Representative on the Stock Growers Board. Cole has served on Lacreek’s board since June of 2020.

Neal Livermont (Dana)

Neal Livermont

Zone 5 - Jackson County

Neal is the son of Butch and Judy Livermont. He grew up on, and continues to operate, the Livermont Ranch southeast of Interior. Neal is married to Dana and together they share four daughters. Neal was a member of the band Country Rush for 20 years before retiring in 2014. He currently serves on the board of the Jackson County FSA, and the Oglala Lakota Livestock and Land Owner Association and the Interior Roping Club. Neal has served on Lacreek's board since 2016.

Marion Schultz (Dawn)

Marion Schultz

Zone 4 – East Oglala Lakota Co.

Marion graduated from Gordon High School and received a degree in Economics and Political Science at South Dakota State University.  He has ranched in the Batesland area all of his life.  Marion has been on the Batesland Fire Department for more than 50 years.  He has served on the County Committee for USDA since 2006 and has also served on the Bennett County Co-op board.  Marion has served on Lacreek's board since 2000. 

Jerry Sharp (Stephanie)

Jerry Sharp

Zone 5 – Jackson Co.

Jerry graduated from Kadoka High School and continued his education at Black Hills State University in Spearfish. He taught school for three years and then returned to the ranch near Long Valley, SD. Jerry is a member of R-Calf and the SD Stock Growers Association. He and his wife, Stephanie, have two children and four grandsons. Jerry has served on Lacreek’s board since 1994.

Connie Whirlwind Horse

Connie Whirlwind Horse

Zone 4 – East Oglala Lakota Co.

Connie attended school at Holy Rosary Mission (now Red Cloud) and then attended one year of college at Black Hills State. She and her late husband, Louis, ranched near Kyle for many years. She is the mother of nine children and continues to run the ranch. She has served on the Oglala Lakota County Commission and is the treasurer for the Kyle Elderly Meals Program.  Connie has served on Lacreek's board since 1994.

Donovan Young Man (Dale)

Donovan Young Man

Zone 9 – West Oglala Lakota Co.

Donovan graduated from Pine Ridge High School.  He also served on the Oglala Sioux Tribal Council from 1992-1996.  Donovan has worked for the Oglala Lakota County School District since 1981 and also raises cattle on his ranch east of Oglala.  Donovan has served on Lacreek's board since 1994.