SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO-AM) Long time President and CEO of the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, Evan Nolte, plans to retire the end of the year.
He has been at the Chamber helm for 37 years, so his replacement will have the proverbial big shoes to fill.
"It's been a great, great long run", Nolte tells KELO Radio.
There have been many, many highlights during Nolte's nearly four decades as chamber chief.
"One would be the realization of the Sioux Falls Convention Center and the Washington Pavilion with a vote in the 1990s." Other standouts, he says, include the Sanford Premier Center and the rejuvenation of Downtown Sioux Falls.
He praises Citibank for coming to town decades ago to really help start the business boom rolling, and Avera Health and Sanford Health, and the VA Medical Center for being such stalwart community pillars.
After he retires, Nolte says he'll spend more time with family, hunt and fish a little, but would still be open to volunteering at local non-profits to continue to help make a difference.
He plans to stay in Sioux Falls.
"I tell you what, we like the weather."
Before coming to Sioux Falls, Nolte served chambers of commerce and economic development groups in Nebraska, Iowa, and Missouri.