South Dakota Corn is experiencing a change in leadership. Long-time executive director Lisa Richardson and legislative and marketing director Teddi Mueller have both resigned. This comes after being put on administrative leave on July 19. The Council has formed a search committee led by president Grant Rix of Groton to find a replacement. Meanwhile, Mike Jaspers, business development director for East River Electric, in an exclusive interview with WNAX says he was named interim executive director of the South Dakota Corn Growers Association.
Jaspers says he’s not sure why Richardson resigned because it is a personnel matter.
The Council, or checkoff arm of South Dakota Corn, held a meeting on Friday in which they went into executive session for about 25 minutes to discuss contract and litigation matters. They also hired Brett Koenecke of Pierre as legal counsel and assigned him to seek proposals for a forensic audit. Jaspers says the financial audit does not mean there was anything illegal taking place.
In a news release Chad Blindauer, vice president of the council said their organization is moving forward with a heightened focus on accountability. Reports did indicate the council has repeatedly been written up in annual state government financial audits for failure to maintain proper controls. Jaspers explained that the council did have clean audits in the past.
According to a recent tax filing, Richardson made $230,805 in base compensation, with $52,990 in other compensation.
