North Carolina native shifts from turfgrass sciences to project management

Oct. 5, 2021

This week’s Up-and-Comer is Shannon Huether, vice president of project management and implementations at Central Payments.

Name: Shannon Huether

Age: 34

Hometown: Boiling Spring Lakes, North Carolina

What brought you to Sioux Falls?

The opportunity to lead and grow the project management department at Central Payments was the final motivation needed for us to move our family to Sioux Falls from Charlotte, North Carolina. My husband is a South Dakota native, attended Augustana University and was excited at the chance to have our boys grow up back in his home state. 

What keeps you in Sioux Falls?

The family-friendly community; we have two young boys at home, and we love how many activity options are available for them. Sioux Falls is a family-centric city that has made it a great fit for us to enjoy music, food, outdoor activities, etc. as a family. 

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

The ever-changing market; no two implementations projects are the same. I thoroughly enjoy that Central Payments is always adapting to the changing financial technology space to provide the products and solutions our partners need and are asking for. Several of our partners are filling gaps in financial equality throughout the United States, and I am proud to move forward the mission of ‘Making Financial Experiences Better’ for all. 

How did you get connected to your industry?

In 2013, when I moved to South Dakota the first time, I wasn’t quite sure where I wanted my professional life to end up. My husband’s uncle, Vaughn Huether, got me connected to the prepaid card industry by exposing me to a position at the company he worked for at the time. Uncle Vaughn was happy to help by finding open positions and encouraged me to apply to a new industry. I spent two years at that company, learning and growing in the financial technology industry before moving to a great opportunity at Central Payments.  

Describe Central Payments in three words.

 Innovative, personal, dedicated. 

What is something someone might be surprised to learn about you?

I have a Bachelor of Science degree in turfgrass science from North Carolina State University. I found a home in the agronomy department at NCSU and loved the combination of opportunities for research, golf course management and sports turf management. Upon graduating, I worked in the groundskeeping department for the Carolina Panthers.   

What’s your favorite way to give back to your community?

Throughout the pandemic, the American Red Cross’ blood supply has been in a critically low state. While under a stay-at-home order in North Carolina with two young children at home, I felt a bit helpless in terms of how I could do my part to help those in need. I learned of the shortage of blood donations and started donating as regularly as possible. Growing up, my mother and father donated regularly both blood and platelets, and their example instilled in me ability for us to give someone else the gift of life. I continue to give blood regularly and am working to establish blood drives with our company here in Sioux Falls. Now that we are settled in Sioux Falls, I hope to coordinate regular drives and volunteer my time to the American Red Cross. Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. If you are able, please visit redcrossblood.org to find a drive near you. 

What’s one business you’d like to see in Sioux Falls that isn’t here now?

Trader Joe’s. I miss my weekly TJs run! 

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Professionally, I plan to be leading and growing the project management and implementations areas at Central Payments. I’d like to be leading a team that is thriving and growing into their roles in their respective areas. I’d also love to be a contributor/mentor to other up-and-coming female leaders in the Sioux Falls area. On the personal side, I see myself raising our boys in this great community and school system. 

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North Carolina native shifts from turfgrass sciences to project management

This week’s Up-and-Comer is Shannon Huether, vice president of project management and implementations at Central Payments.

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