Director Biographies

Kimberly Olson

Kimberly (Juffer) Olson serves as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Tourism and State Development (DTSD) and Director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development.

Prior to joining DTSD in September 2007, Olson served as a Senior Policy Analyst for Governor Rounds.  Olson also studied government and public policy while working on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.  Olson’s background in business includes experience as a Real Estate Analyst for Aon Service Corporation in Chicago, Illinois where she gained valuable training in structuring and financing real estate leases and purchases as well as in project management.

Olson earned her bachelor’s degree from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, majoring in Political Science. 
Olson is originally from Mitchell, SD.  Olson and her husband, Ryan, have a farm outside of Onida.  They live in Pierre with their daughter, Olivia.