Our Board

BOARD CHAIR

Reece serves as treasurer for Friends of the Big Sioux River. He is a litigation attorney at Davenport Evans with a practice consisting primarily of commercial and complex litigation, land-use litigation, and insurance-defense litigation. Originally from Huron, South Dakota, Reece received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Dakota in mathematics and political science and his law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School. Outside of work, Reece enjoys being outdoors and often kayaks, hikes, and bikes in and around the Big Sioux.

TREASURER

Rachel has over 20 years of experience leading process and environmental engineering pursuits, passionate about creating more sustainable environments and healthy communities. Rachel is the Water/Wastewater Group leader for ISG, a multi-disciplinary Engineering, Architectural and Environmental firm in Sioux Falls. Specializing in industrial and municipal water and wastewater design, compliance, and the optimization of both water use and carbon footprint, she is committed to developing spaces that support a sustainable, cost-effective future for communities and businesses.

Growing up in Southern California next to the famous Salton Sea, she has witnessed the deterioration of economic and environmental health due to pollution, but is optimistic and excited about the strength of the community to restore.

Rachel resides in Sioux Falls with her husband Mike and daughters Sam and Jenny. The entire family loves fishing, kayaking in the Big Sioux, and anything in the sun!

SECRETARY

Ryan Donovan is the Vice President of Business Development for Avera Health in Sioux Falls, SD. As an outdoorsman and lifelong resident of South Dakota, Ryan has a passion for the community and our precious natural resources. He attended the University of South Dakota, has an Associate’s degree from Southeast Technical Institute, and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Sioux Falls. He is currently enrolled in the master’s program at Dakota Wesleyan University. In addition to raising two gorgeous daughters, he is also on the following boards: East Dakota Water Development District (Director of Region 7), The Banquet in Sioux Falls, Friends of the Big Sioux River (Chair), United Way At-Risk Youth/Youth Outreach Team (Co-Chair), Northern Prairies Land Trust, and the Big Sioux Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Lindsey lives in Sioux Falls with her husband, two dogs, and two cats. In her free time, she plays with her pets, hikes, fish, crotchets, rollerblades, and skis. Currently, she works at the USD Sanford School of Medicine Center for Rural Health Improvement as a research coordinator. Lindsey has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from SDSU and a Master of Science in Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy from the University of Minnesota. With her degrees, she gained diverse research experience. This path has led to her passion for conserving and bettering our natural resources, especially water.

Ross Wright is a lifelong resident of South Dakota. Ross grew up in Pierre, where he spent countless hours hunting, fishing, camping, and boating along the Missouri River. He now calls Sioux Falls home where he lives with his wife and 4 children. Ross currently serves as a board member of the Northern Prairies Land Trust and he is a partner with the law firm of Lynn, Jackson, Shultz & Lebrun where he focuses his practice on representing plaintiffs in personal injury matters.

Tim Meagher serves as chief operating officer of Sioux Falls-based Vanguard Hospitality, overseeing all facets of operational management for its properties Grille 26, Minervas in downtown Sioux Falls and Morrie’s Steakhouse. He and his wife, Megan, have three children Max, Elizabeth and Matayah.

With a passion for the natural environment, sustainability and all things locally produced, Tim is the driving force behind a growing number of partnerships between Vanguard Hospitality and environmentally-conscious farming and ranching operations. Working with producers who use regenerative practices that benefit the environment, his restaurants are supporting the long-term viability of these operations by providing them reliable end markets that help connect their locally produced foods directly with diners. A member of Dakota Rural Action and Northern Plains Sustainable Ag, Tim enjoys being outdoors in his spare time, hiking, immersing himself in art and music and traveling to gain inspiration for his next dining innovation.

Jason Unger was born in Danville, IL, grew up in Appleton, WI, and attended Valparaiso University (IN) where he studied International Economics and Cultural Affairs. He went on to earn his J.D. at the University of St. Thomas School of Law (MN). He has been practicing law in South Dakota and Minnesota since 2012. He serves as Corporate Counsel for Dakota Layers, LLC, and its subsidiary California Farms, LLC, with distribution centers in the L.A. and Central Coast areas of California, and he maintains a private law practice, Unger Law Office, PLLC.

Jason lives in Flandreau with his wife and their two sons. In addition to his business and law work, Jason devotes his time to the community. He serves on the Avera Flandreau Hospital Advisory Board, the Flandreau Development Corporation Board, the Flandreau City Council, and a number of other community organizations.

Madeleine Titze is a consultant with Bridges Consulting, an organizational consulting firm based in Minneapolis, MN. She supports senior leaders and executive teams across industries including higher education, healthcare, manufacturing, private equity firms, and not-for profits. Madeleine grew up in southern New Mexico but has called South Dakota “home” since 2014.

Madeleine received her Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Environmental Studies from Gonzaga University and a Master of Arts in Adult and Higher Education from the University of South Dakota. She loves hiking, skiing, and camping with her husband, Thad, and their beagle, Pepper.

Tyler grew up in southwest Minnesota, and graduated from Augustana University. He is a brewer at Remedy Brewing Company, where he first became involved with Friends of the Big Sioux. He has been passionate about the outdoors and conservation from a young age and that passion has continued to grow during his adult life and through his service with the board. He enjoys hiking, hunting, and spending time outside with his dog.