April 9, 2018

Dakota Resources has named Joe Bartmann as its new president.

Bartmann has served three years as the organization’s vice president of community innovation. Dakota Resources is a nonprofit based in Renner that assists with rural economic and community development.

“I believe right now is the time for rural communities to be bold, to be visionary and to be more than we ever thought possible,” Bartmann said. “More than ever, I’m committed to helping local people do the best work of their lives for their rural communities.”

Bartmann was recommended for the position by an executive search that reached out to potential applicants across the Midwest and the nation.

Bartmann is an experienced nonprofit executive, facilitator, community coach and economic development leader. His career includes time as the executive director of Downtown Sioux Falls Inc. and as president of the Rural Learning Center in Howard.

“Joe was always at the top of our list of qualified candidates, but we wanted to take the extra steps to make sure we were doing due diligence to Dakota Resources,” said Jon Farris, chair of the Dakota Resources board of directors. “The search process gave us full confidence that Joe is indeed the right person for the job.”

The appointment follows the retirement of former president Beth Davis, who successfully grew Dakota Resources through 20 years of leadership.

“I could not be more honored and excited to lead Dakota Resources right now,” Bartmann said. “I have a talented team of people around me and a lot of supporters of this organization who care deeply about rural South Dakota. We are thrilled to take this work to the next level, with some fresh ways of thinking and an expanded scope of tools and resources for rural communities.”