Nov. 2, 2018

The commissioner of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, Scott Stern, is resigning as of Dec. 1.

Stern, who has served as commissioner since 2016, is leaving to assume leadership of his family’s business, Stern Oil Co. in Freeman, according to a news release from the governor.

“Scott has been a great salesman for our state and he has led GOED’s efforts to tell South Dakota’s story as one of the best places in America to do business,” Gov. Dennis Daugaard said.  “Our state was very fortunate that Scott took time away from the private sector to enter public service, and I wish him the very best.”

Before joining GOED, Stern spent four years with Suncor Energy and, before that, 29 years with Stern.

“It has been an honor and privilege to work for Gov. Daugaard and the people of South Dakota,” Stern said in the news release. “South Dakota is the best place in the nation to do business, and I’m looking forward to being part of its business community.”

Aaron Scheibe, GOED’s deputy commissioner, will serve as interim commissioner through the remainder of the Daugaard administration.