South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has appointed a man from Miller to serve as the next Commissioner of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development.
Joe Fiala has worked in GOED since 2012. He started as a business development representative and has since served as a director in several areas including research, community development, business development and partner relations. Throughout his time at GOED, Fiala has worked with stakeholders on numerous projects totaling billions of dollars in capital investment in the state.
Noem said Fiala has helped build “the strongest jobs market in America, and we’ll keep that work going with him as our Commissioner.” She says with his positive outlook, and his ability to build and maintain relationships, she’s confident South Dakota and GOED will continue to accomplish fantastic things.
Fiala says he’s looking forward to working with colleagues and economic developers across the state to help businesses grow and to positively impact the economy of South Dakota.
Fiala was raised with a ranching background in Custer and Hot Springs in the southern Black Hills. After taking computer science courses at South Dakota State University, he worked in the software industry, including designing business software at Microsoft. In 2007, he entered the field of economic development as the executive director of the local economic development office in Miller.
Fiala lives in Miller with his wife, Andrea, who is a high school science teacher. They have two daughters, Kirstyn and Megan. They enjoy spending time outdoors on the farm where Andrea was raised.
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