Holiday Inn City Centre
Social 5:30pm
Dinner 6:30pm
Speaker: Jerry Lohr  www.jlohr.com
Topic: "Excellence & Leadership"
The son of a hard-working South Dakota farming family, Jerry Lohr was born and raised on what would now be considered an organic farm. The importance of planting each individual crop in its appropriate place was instilled in him from an early age. Jerry grew to understand that every crop has a natural ability to excel under very specific growing conditions. This knowledge would later become instrumental in his success as a winegrower.

Jerry graduated from South Dakota State University in 1958. He received an M.S. from Stanford in 1959, and completed all coursework for a Ph.D. in civil engineering by 1961.  As an Air Force captain, Jerry was posted as a research scientist at the NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, from 1961-1964.  Returning to civilian life, Jerry opened a land development and custom home building business, but his passion for farming and an appreciation of wine soon led him to take on a new challenge: winegrowing.

Jerry dove headfirst into his new endeavor with an extensive investigation of California grape growing regions in the late 1960s. Aware of the importance of climate, soil quality, and location, Jerry finally selected the Arroyo Seco region of Monterey County for his first vineyard in 1971. Jerry was also among the first to realize the tremendous untapped promise of Paso Robles in San Luis Obispo County, and in 1986 he began planting Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and other red varietals on what is now 2,000 acres of vineyards. Since then, many noted winemakers have come to realize what Jerry saw early on, and have followed in his footsteps.  In 1989 SME Sioux Falls honored Jerry with the South Dakota Sales and Marketing Executive of the Year award. 

Respected universally by his peers for his intimate understanding of California winegrowing, Jerry’s knowledge on the subject is vast. He can address any facet of the winegrowing process, be it scientific or agricultural. An industry leader and one of the few remaining substantial independents, Jerry is a fervent advocate for the Arroyo Seco region of Monterey County and Paso Robles, regularly investing his energy and resources to champion these regions.

For Jerry, ethical and sustainable business practices are not limited to winegrowing; they also apply to the people who work beside him. To support this philosophy, in 1994 Jerry instituted an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), making J. Lohr’s employees co-owners and partners in the winery’s success. In addition, J. Lohr employees enjoy the benefits of a profit sharing program. By being a man of integrity, Jerry has guaranteed J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines the loyalty and best efforts of its team, which has had a profound effect on the wine in the bottle.

Jerry’s dedication goes beyond J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines. His work on behalf of the entire industry has included former posts as director and chair of the Wine Institute and chair of the Monterey Winegrowers Council. He is also one of the four founding members of Wine Vision, an industry group that promotes a long-range view of the wine industry.  Additionally, Jerry founded the National Grape and Wine Initiative (NGWI), a coalition representing grape growers, processors, wineries, and academic institutions committed to improving the industry.  Over the course of his career, Jerry has served as founding director, four-time president, and chair of the marketing committee of the Monterey County Vintners and Growers’ Association. He has also served as director and chair of the marketing committee for the Paso Robles Vintners and Growers Association. In 2007, UC Davis honored Jerry with its Award of Distinction, and in 2008 he was named Wine Industry Person of the Year by the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance. J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines was named the 2010 American Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

Honoring 2012 SD Sales and Marketing Executive of the Year,  and SME Past Presidents, SME members work diligently on the SME Excellence event that honors the South Dakota Sales and Marketing Executive of the Year and other past SME leaders.  SME Members attend for FREE.   There is a $50 charge for the general public.  Tickets may be ordered by calling 605-336-5626 or emailing info@smesiouxfalls.org. 

PAST SME EXCELLENCE AWARDS

2011 SME Excellence Awards
SME Membership Meeting Dinner
Holiday Inn City Centre

Speaker:  Dave Sanderson
Topic:  “Brace for Impact”
Sponsor: Wells Fargo (www.wellsfargo.com)

On January 15, 2009, returning home from a routine business trip, Dave Sanderson survived “The Miracle on the Hudson.” When a bird strike hit US Airways Flight 1549, there was no choice for the crew but to ditch the plane into the Hudson River. Sitting on the plane, in what many would consider to be the wrong place and the wrong time, Sanderson knew he was exactly where he was supposed to be. Thinking only of helping others in the crisis, Dave Sanderson became the last person off of the back of the plane that day, and was largely responsible for making sure so many others made it out safely.

Exposed to frigid water and freezing temperatures, doctors feared that that he would suffer a heart attack or stroke from the dangerous conditions. Miraculously, he returned to his job as a sales manager that following Monday, and has since become the face of the everyday American hero. To Dave Sanderson however, doing the right thing came naturally. When confronting potential tragedy, he remembered the words of his mother, “If you can’t, you must,” and summoned the inner strength to persevere.

An inspiring survivor, Dave Sanderson was an ordinary person in an extraordinary situation. Sharing the lessons of that day with audiences around the country, he shows that in any circumstance, positive thinking and leadership can turn anyone into a hero.

What you will learn from inspirational speaker Dave Sanderson:

• How leadership, teamwork, and preparation were the keys to success in ensuring that Flight 1549 truly became "The Miracle on the Hudson."
• How regular people can become heroes when called into action.
• How to always remember what our priorities are.

Dave is an excellent presenter - very personable to both organizer and audience. It was truly a pleasure to meet him. ” - P2 Energy Solutions

Brace for Impact
When US Airways Flight 1549, or “The Miracle on the Hudson,” ditched into the Hudson River on January 15, 2009, Dave Sanderson knew he was exactly where he was supposed to be. The last passenger off the back of the plane on that fateful day, he was largely responsible for the well-being and safety of others, risking his own life in frigid water to help other passengers off the plane. Despite the hazards to himself, Sanderson thought only of helping others, and emerged from the wreckage with a mission: to encourage others to do the right thing. In this stirring presentation, Sanderson shares the story of Flight 1549, revealing the inner strength it took to make it through the day, and how teamwork, leadership, and state management can help overcome any obstacle

Honoring 2011 SD Sales and Marketing Executive of the Year, Don Dunham, Jr. and SME Past Presidents, SME members worked diligently on the SME Excellence event that honored the South Dakota Sales and Marketing Executive of the Year for 2011, and other past SME leaders. 

Donald A. Dunham, Jr., is the founder, owner/broker, Chairman of the Board and CEO of The Dunham Company, a diversified real estate company, founded in 1977.  The Dunham Company operates as Dunham Commercial and Residential Real Estate, Dunham Real Estate Development, Dunham Property Management, and Dunham Consulting and Construction Services and currently has 18 employees.  The Dunham Company, through Dunham Consulting and Construction Services (DCCS) which was formed in 1982, has supervised and managed over $100,000,000 in construction projects over the past 30 years.

Mr. Dunham has been involved in numerous real estate partnerships, has been involved in the real estate business since 1974, and is now primarily involved in commercial construction, syndications, property management, and land development projects.  Mr. Dunham is a partner in various real estate joint ventures and is currently an owner-manager of the following land developments: Granite Valley, Diamond Valley, and Platinum Valley (totaling approximately 800 acres) in Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Dakota Prairie (110 acres) in Dakota Dunes, South Dakota; Country Club Estates (207 acres) in Elk Point, South Dakota; Fox Run (35 acres) in Yankton, South Dakota; 30 acres of land in Vermillion, South Dakota; River Valley (140 acres) in North Sioux City, SD; and Crystal Valley (160 acres) in Watertown, South Dakota. 

Mr. Dunham is a Past President of Main Street Sioux Falls, past Chairman of the South Dakota Division of the American Cancer Society, past Chairman of Sales & Marketing Executives International, and a past Chairman of the Sioux Empire United Way 1994 Fund Drive.  Mr. Dunham has received his CCIM designation and is a past member of Coldwell Banker's National Advisory Council.  In 1998, Mr. Dunham successfully chaired the Falls Park Sound & Light Show fundraising drive and was the Chairman of the Convention Center Hotel Committee from 1996-1997 and has served as a Chairperson for the Phillips to the Falls and East Bank Renovation Committee.  Mr. Dunham has served as State Director of the South Dakota Association of Realtors and was President of the Sioux Falls Board of Realtors in 1980.

Mr. Dunham, as an individual, has acted as a General Partner in many limited partnerships, some of those being Community Health Center Limited Partnership; Homestead Trails Limited Partnership; Hospitality Apartments Limited Partnership; Kingsport Village Limited Partnership; Northern Heights Development Limited Partnerships; Vista Park Limited Partnership and several limited partnerships which own Granite City restaurants.

Additionally, Mr. Dunham owns a home building company named Dunham Homes, LLC. This entity was originally formed in 1984 as Silver Creek Development Company but was began operating as Dunham Homes, LLC in 1999.  Property currently under construction and owned by Dunham Homes is located in Granite Valley, Diamond Valley and Platinum Valley in Sioux Falls, SD; Dakota Prairie in Dakota Dunes, SD; Country Club Estates in Elk Point, SD; Wynstone in Jefferson, SD; and Woodbury Heights in Sioux City, IA.

In addition to the above, Mr. Dunham has developed and syndicated numerous properties to include land developments, hotels, apartment complexes; condominiums; office buildings; retail centers; rent-to-own housing developments; two sow farrowing units and two dairies.

In 2002, Mr. Dunham entered into a Development Contract with Granite City Food & Brewery, LTD to develop up to 22 restaurants. This agreement has been fulfilled. Upon completion of construction, these restaurants were syndicated and sold to new limited partnerships.  Mr. Dunham is the Managing Member of Dunham Equity Management, LLC which serves as the General Partner of these limited partnerships.

Mr. Dunham is married and he has three sons, Don Dunham, III, Jim Dunham, and Chris Dunham whom are all active in the real estate business.