About the Board of Directors
The South Dakota Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities Board of Directors provides direction and sets the organizations policies on behalf of the membership.
2011 - 2012 Board of Directors
Jack Mortenson/Past President/Mitchell
Jack earned his B.A. and Masters in elementary education from the University of Sioux Falls, and he taught in middle/junior high schools. Jack is currently Chair of Computer and Technology at Dakota Wesleyan University, and he does video work in his “spare time.” His volunteer activities have led him to meet and know people of many cultures and socio-economic levels, with his last adventure leading him to Nicaragua. “People first” is a part of his being – a natural way in that he views and describes the people he knows. Jack serves as Past President of the Board.
Linda Biffert/Volga
Linda has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in special education. She taught special education in Brookings for 35 years, retiring in 2000. She is married, has two daughters and two grandchildren. Linda has served on the boards of Opportunity Homes and ADVANCE – the local community support provider. She is a longtime member of South Dakota Association of the Blind and serves on their board and on the Board of Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired. Linda is currently serving on the Statewide Independent Living Council. Linda is a person with a disability.
Vicki Kerkvliet/Sioux Falls
Vicki currently serves as the Director of Independent Living Services with Independent Living Choices (formerly Prairie Freedom Center for Independent Living). She has worked in the disability arena for over 17 years. She has a bachelor’s degree in religion with a minor in psychology. She enjoys swimming, traveling, playing flute and spending time with family. Vicki has served on the Board of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Sioux Falls Disability Awareness Commission, the Board of Ms. Wheelchair America, Board of South Dakota Parent Connection, and the ADA Celebration Committee in Sioux Falls. She is a person with a disability.
David Miller/Vice President/Sioux Falls
David is a life long resident of SD. He is employed by CSD. Prior to his current employment, David was State Director of SD Division of Rehabilitation Services. He served on the National Social Security Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel and the City of Sioux Falls ADA Advisory Committee. He has previously served on the Board of Independent Living Choices. He has been engaged in advocacy efforts on behalf of citizens with disabilities for over thirty years. He has two sons and two grandsons. David is a person with a disability. David is the current Board President.
Tim Neyhart/Pierre
Tim is a life long resident of SD. He attended college at Northern State University, graduating with a degree in secondary education. He began his career at Sky Ranch for Boys, and he currently is the Director for Protection and Advocacy Program for persons with developmental disabilities at SD Advocacy Services. Tim is married to Sandy, and they have two daughters. Tim has served on the Board of Service to the Blind & Visually Impaired and the Board of Vocational Rehabilitation. Tim has also been a presenter at Partners in Policymaking and a multitude of other events statewide.
Larry Puthoff/Sioux Falls
Larry was born and raised near Humboldt, SD. He graduated from the SD School for the Deaf in Sioux Falls and then attended Gallaudet University in Washington DC, earning a bachelor’s degree in sociology. He received a master’s degree in administration and supervision from California State University. Larry has worked as a teacher, coach, school superintendent, and administrator. Larry has two adult daughters. Larry is a former member of the Board of Vocational Rehabilitation, Augustana College Deaf Education Advisory Board, the Gallaudet University Alumni Association Board, and the SD School for the Deaf Advisory Board. He is a member of the National Association and SD Association of the Deaf, and he presently serves on the Statewide Independent Living Council. Larry is a person with a disability.
Sheryl Logan/Rapid City
Sheryl worked in the human services field for over 18 years. She started her career with human services in Rapid City as a rehabilitation counselor, then became a supervisor for the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) in Aberdeen, and she retired as the district supervisor in 2009. She has also worked as a school counselor, teacher, retail sales person, small business owner and dean of student services. She believes that people with disabilities can prevail and make a difference in the work place and in society as a whole. She believes in and promotes full inclusion of all. She is a person with a disability.
Mike Herrlein/Secretary/Treasurer/Pierre
Mike was injured in a car accident over 15 years ago. He went back to school and received a degree in business from USD, and he is currently an Ag/Business Banker for Wells Fargo in Pierre. He also won the Symons Award in 2007 from the Sioux Falls Business Leadership Network (BLN) and has served on the BLN Steering Committee. He has spoken at various events about his disability and how he’s overcome it and gone on to live a positive and full life. Mike is married and he and his wife have two sons. He also does some farming and enjoys fishing. Mike currently serves as Secretary/Treasurer of the Board. He is a person with a disability.
JoAnne Cleveland/Spearfish
JoAnne was born and raised in Lead. She moved to Spearfish in 1981. She has been an advocate the majority of her life. She has been a "People First" member for over 30 years, and she is a past president. She is currently a member of "South Dakota Advocates for Change," Advisory Council for Northern Hills Training Center and Spearfish United Methodist Church community activities board. JoAnne is also a public speaker. She works at Treasure Island Thrift Store, and she has her own vending machine business. She is a person with a disability.
Margot Burton/President/Rapid City
Margot is one of the founders of the COALITION, and she has previously served on the Board. She has worked for a private rehabilitation company as a rehabilitation consultant/placement counselor, been self-employed as a rehabilitation consultant, and she has been a vocational counselor for SD Job Service. Margot has served on the Rapid City Mayor's Committee for Employment of People with Disabilities, Rapid City Chamber of Commerce Disability Task Force, Western Resources for disAbled Independence Board, Governor's Advisory Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities and President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities. Margot currently serves as Vice President of the Board. Margot is a person with a disability.
Jenneil Watkins/Sioux Falls
Jenneil moved to South Dakota in 1978 as a VISTA volunteer. She was employed at the SD Developmental Center as a Case Manager/QMRP for 15 years and then moved to Sioux Falls. She volunteered at several organizations until she was employed by "Eyes On You" magazine. She was later hired by one of the organizations where she volunteered - Volunteers of America, Dakotas. She continues to work there today. Jenneil is a Partners in Policymaking graduate and serves on the Minnehaha County Diversity Committee and the South Dakota Statewide Independent Living Council. She is a League of Women Voters and National Women's Political Caucus - SIoux Falls member. She is also a Peer Support Visitor with Independent Living Choices.