Deputy GOED commissioner chosen to head state’s international trade arm
PIERRE, S.D. – A top official in the South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) is leaving state government to lead the state’s top international trade advocacy organization.
Jesse Fonkert has been named the next president and CEO of South Dakota Trade, the organization’s board of directors announced Monday.
South Dakota Trade was formed in 2023 and is made up of representatives from the state’s top agriculture and commerce groups, including the state’s Pork Producers Council, South Dakota Biotech, South Dakota Soybean, South Dakota Corn Growers, South Dakota Dairy Producers and the South Dakota Trust Association. It works to facilitate new trade partnerships between South Dakota businesses and international markets.
Until its formation, South Dakota was one of just two states in the country without an actively operating, state-endorsed trade association — part of the reason why South Dakota beats only the state of Wyoming in terms of annual non-ag exports.
Fonkert is the deputy commissioner of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and will step into his new role on April 21. He is succeeding Luke Lindberg, who is leaving the post following his nomination by President Donald Trump to serve as under secretary of Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“Jesse is a statewide leader who has tremendous respect in the business community and with South Dakota Trade’s stakeholders,” said Joe Beck, chair of the South Dakota Trade board of directors. “I’m confident this transition will be seamless, and Jesse will build upon the momentum Luke has generated for the association.”
Lindberg will continue leading South Dakota Trade until his nomination is confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
Fonkert holds a degree in international affairs and business from Augustana University. His previous roles include serving as president and CEO of the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance and working at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in Washington, D.C.
“I’m honored to have the opportunity to lead South Dakota Trade at a time like this, when we are finally standing up for America’s small and medium-sized businesses,” Fonkert said. “My tenure will be to carry on the important work Luke and the team have begun — our state is fortunate to have had Luke’s vision and leadership in the early days of South Dakota Trade.”
Gov. Larry Rhoden praised both leaders and expressed confidence in the organization’s direction.
“I’ve worked with Jesse in the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, so I know what he’s capable of,” Rhoden said. “He is cut from the same cloth as Luke and will be a successful diplomat for our state.”
Lindberg called leading South Dakota Trade a “huge honor and joy” and said he was confident in Fonkert’s ability to lead the organization into its next chapter.
