Perley planned to attend college and was accepted into the GM Institute engineering program. However, a family friend was an electrician, and the technical challenge of the work appealed to him. Rather than join the GM Institute, Perley began his career as an apprentice electrician at Thompson Electric in 1976. After a brief stint as a journeyman, he worked in every management role at the company and was named President/CEO in 1998. Thompson Electric Company was founded by Alfred Thompson in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1933. Thompson dedicated his company to the simple principle of providing quality services and products to his customers, his employees, and his community. Driven by this vision, Thompson Electric Company has developed into a strong, well-financed company with permanent offices in Omaha, Neb., and Sioux Falls, S.D., in addition to Sioux City.

While residential work remains part of Thompson Electric’s heritage, industrial and commercial work have afforded the opportunity for the company to use its strengths in technology, planning, management, and leadership to advance the organization and its people. Perley says his proudest achievement is “developing a team of leaders capable of guiding Thompson long after I’m gone. As exciting as it is to build or fix some system, it is much more rewarding to build a team of talented individuals.” The team was largely built by giving talented people different opportunities to learn, succeed and at times, fail.

Perley is also proud of his work in the community and has served on many non-profit boards as well as national industry groups. Perley has been married to his wife Cathy for 32 years. Both Cathy and Skip are involved in the community through various non-profit boards. His company has a strong commitment to community service and encourages Thompson employees to get involved with local non-profit organizations as part of their leadership training.

Christie Finnegan is the Marketing and Fund Development Manager at the June E. Nylen Cancer Center (JENCC) and has more than 20 years of marketing, public relations and fundraising experience in the Siouxland community. She works closely with the Cancer Center’s executive director, physicians, staff, board members and volunteers to expand JENCC’s mission, promote services and raise funds to support innovative and comprehensive cancer care and support services. Christie has held previous roles as Executive Director at the Goosmann Law Firm, Marketing and Public Relations Director at UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s and with the Children’s Miracle Network at UnityPoint Health- St. Luke’s Foundation. Christie was an inaugural honoree of the Siouxland Magazine 10 Under 40 and has received other awards recognizing her leadership and community service.

Christie and her husband, Sean, are both graduates of Briar Cliff University and have called Sioux City home since graduating. They have three children ages 13, 10 and 8 and see firsthand the great education received at the Sioux City Community Schools.

In addition to the Sioux City Public Schools Foundation Board, Christie also currently serves on the Board of Directors of St. Luke’s College and is co-chair of The 1930 Influencers Committee at Briar Cliff University. You will find Christie attending her children’s events, golfing and doing most any activity that gets her outdoors with her family.

Tim is the Managing Partner of Kramer & Associates, CPAs. His primary duties include spending his time working with local business owners to help meet the accounting and tax needs of their business. In addition, Tim leads the operations of the firm and building network relationships. Tim has spent his entire professional career in accounting and has narrowed his focus to working with small business owners in the construction, agriculture, and transportation industries.

In addition to his position as Treasurer of the Sioux City Public Schools Foundation Board, Tim also serves on the board of the Friends of the Sioux City Public Library. Outside of the office, he and his wife Lyndsay enjoy many outdoor activities including golfing, biking, and swimming.

Daniel Lynde is a Sioux City native and a product of the Sioux City Schools; attending Smith, West Middle, West High and Western Iowa Tech. Dan joined RTI (Riverside Technologies Inc.) – as the Director of Marketing in 2017 coming back to his technology roots after 10 years outside the industry.

Dan has always had a passion for marketing, technology, music, art, and being a part of the Sioux City community. Dan serves as treasurer with a political party, volunteers with the Sanford Center, United Way, Gospel Mission, and wherever else he is needed. He’s an avid Hawkeye fan has thoroughly enjoyed watching the Iowa vs. Nebraska rivalry in-person. A foodie at heart, Dan’s family owns numerous restaurants throughout the tri-state area. Sampling and preparing the finest and the simplest of food is in his blood. He’s a horrible golfer but loves the comradery on the golf course.

Dan has two children, and two grandchildren – one child is a graduate of North and one presently attends North High School. His wife is a paralegal at a local law firm.

Casey was born and raised in Sioux City, attending Clark, Hoover and graduating from North High School. After graduating from the University of Nebraska he worked in Washington DC for Chuck Grassley where he met his wife Emily. Emily and Casey later moved to Chicago where Casey attended Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management. Casey returned home in 2015 to pursue his passion, perpetuating the family business of Mills-Shellhammmer- Puetz and Associates. As an alumnus of the Sioux City School System and now as an employer, he’s always been passionate about making sure Sioux City’s next leaders have access to the best in class educational opportunities. Casey and Emily have two children, Reese and Teddy.

Michael Rohlena is the Associate Dean of Career and Tech Education at Western Iowa Tech Community College. He was born in Sioux City and attended Clark Elementary, Hoover Middle, and North High. He also has three children in the district that attend Perry Creek Elementary.

Michael holds a PhD in Educational Leadership and an MFA in Scene Design and Technology. Before joining WIT in 2012, he was a theatre instructor at numerous colleges and universities around Siouxland, and a theatre professional at various academic, professional, and community theatres across the country.

In addition to the Sioux City Schools Foundation Board, Michael serves on the Siouxland Medical Education Foundation board and the FLUX Dance Company board. He is also active at his church and various arts and theatre organizations in the Siouxland area.

Bio to come

John Wagner is Vice President/Commercial Lender for Northwest Bank and has over 35 years of financial services experience, that includes agriculture, correspondent, business, and middle market banking for clients throughout the tri-state area. Prior to joining Northwest Bank, John served as Market President for another financial institution in Sioux City overseeing the Business Banking group and managing the Middle Market Banking loan portfolio. John earned his B.S. degree from Iowa State University.

Passionate about Siouxland, John has been involved in many community and professional organizations, John is a current board member of the Sioux City Community School Foundation. Past board member and Treasurer of St. Luke’s/Unity Point Hospital Foundation Board, board member of Sioux City Chamber of Commerce, The Siouxland Initiative, and United Way Allocations Committee. John served as past Board Chair of the following: Girls, Inc., Big Brothers Big Sisters, Center for Siouxland (elderly & homeless assistance), the Sioux City Art Center, Sioux City Public Schools Building Oversight Committee.

Originally from Osage, IA., John and has three daughters Annika, Karleigh and Kenleigh, and lives in Dakota Dunes, SD. John travels to visiting his daughters in Minneapolis and Sarasota. He is an avid outdoorsman (fishing, hunting, hiking, and biking).

Ron is a graduate of Briar Cliff and the University of South Dakota. He has been involved with Sioux City Community Schools for over forty years, first as a teacher and currently as a school board member. Ron and his wife, Katie, happily reside in Sioux City.

Bio Coming Soon.

Bio Coming Soon.

Bio Coming Soon.

Dr. Rod Earleywine has a long educational career in Siouxland, including a 27-year career with Sergeant Bluff – Luton Community Schools where he served as superintendent for 15 years. Sergeant Bluff – Luton Community Schools achieved multiple accolades under Earleywine’s leadership including the renovation of the district’s high school building, improved financial solvency, and statewide recognition for student achievement.

Prior to his superintendent role, Earleywine served as a middle school principal with Sergeant Bluff – Luton Community Schools in addition to teaching and coaching positions in the Siouxland area.

Earleywine began his role as interim superintendent of Sioux City Community School District in July 2022.

Brenda works as a regional director for the Iowa State Education Association representing educators and paraprofessionals at the Northwest AEA, Hinton, WIT, Sergeant Bluff-Luton, and Sioux City. She and her husband, Paul, and have four grown children; two of whom attend Iowa State. They are avid Cyclone fans and enjoy tailgating when they are able!

Leslie Heying is the Director of Communications and Community Engagement for the Sioux City Community School District. An Elk Point, South Dakota native, Leslie started her career as a high school English and journalism teacher in Minneapolis before an opportunity in marketing brought her back home to Siouxland. Over the last 20 years, she has held several leadership roles with Crittenton Center, Briar Cliff University, and UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s.

Leslie holds degrees in English education and mass communication from the University of South Dakota. She and her husband Chad have three children, including two children currently enrolled in the Sioux City Community School District and one son who recently graduated from North High School.

In her free time, Leslie volunteers with the United Way of Siouxland and is involved in the city’s Joint Information Committee, a volunteer group of professionals who assist with community-wide crisis communication. She enjoys attending her children’s many activities and rooting for the Minnesota Vikings during the football season.

Dora is the Director of Student Services, Equity Education and Title IX Coordinator for the Sioux City Community School District. Dora is from Mexico. She started her Career in her country as a Criminal Justice Lawyer. When she transitioned to the United States, she began her career as an educator. She taught Spanish to middle school and high school students in North Dakota and Spanish and PBL to High school students in South Dakota.

Dora holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the Universidad Autonoma Benito Juarez de Oaxaca in Mexico. She has a Spanish teaching degree from Black Hills State University in South Dakota. She has a specialist degree in educational administration and a doctorate in educational administration from the University of South Dakota.