PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Larry Rhoden has announced two key cabinet reappointments as he prepares to begin his next term in office.
Rhoden is keeping Bill Even as commissioner of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Jim Hagen as secretary of Travel South Dakota. Both appointments will take effect January 9th.
The governor praised both men for their contributions to South Dakota’s economy. Even has led the economic development office for less than two years and has been involved in efforts to attract business investment and support initiatives such as the South Dakota Defense Institute.
Hagen has served as head of Travel South Dakota for 15 years. State officials say tourism reached record levels during his tenure, with visitor spending exceeding five billion dollars and annual visitation approaching 15 million people.
Hagen says the state will continue focusing on tourism growth, particularly in rural communities, while working toward making South Dakota one of the nation’s top vacation destinations.
The appointments are among the first cabinet decisions announced by Rhoden ahead of his new term, which begins in January.
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