RAPID CITY, S.D. – Sara Hornick, executive director of the Rapid City Public School Foundation, was appointed by Gov. Larry Rhoden to the South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SDH) Board of Commissioners.
Hornick, a resident of Rapid City, holds a bachelor’s degree from Black Hills State University in Mass Communication and Speech. Her background includes extensive volunteer work and professional experience with organizations such as the
Community Services Connection of the Black Hills, Black Hills Regional Homeless Coalition, Rapid City Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Group, Live Well Black Hills, CASA, and Lutheran Social Services.
Hornick and her husband, Chris, have three children and are also a former foster family. They fostered 26 children over nine years and adopted two children from foster care. Hornick transitioned from a foster parent to CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) where she now advocates for foster children in the seventh district court system that serves Rapid City children in the foster.
“We’re excited to have Sara on the board,” said Chas Olson, Executive Director of SDH. “Her background working with nonprofit service providers combined with her experience in community relations will be a valuable complement to our current Board of Commissioners.”
The SDH Board of Commissioners establishes policy for the organization and oversees its operations. Hornick joins a board that includes:
- Scott Erickson, Chairman
- Preston Steele, Vice Chairman
- Alex Jensen, Treasurer
- Jonathan Guenthner, Commissioner
- Mark Roby, Commissioner
- Shauna Sheets, Commissioner
“I am looking forward to serving as a commissioner for the South Dakota Housing Development Authority. I worked as a volunteer with the Black Hills Regional Homeless Coalition for 10 years and interacted with SD Housing through the Point-in-Time count and the Coordinated Entry system,” said Hornick. “I am passionate about affordable housing and making it accessible in South Dakota. I am honored to be appointed in this role and look forward to serving South Dakota in this capacity.”