SME Excellence Awards® Winners
- 2019 – Mark Griffin
- 2018 – Rod Carlson
- 2017 – Bernie DeWald
- 2016 – Tom Walsh, Sr.
- 2015 – Evan Nolte
- 2014 – T. Denny Sanford
- 2013 – Jeff Scherschligt
- 2012 – Dana Dykhouse
- 2011 – Donald A Dunham, Jr.
- 2010 – Tony Bour, Showplace Wood
- 2009 – Craig Lloyd, Lloyd Companies
- 2008 – Elmer Karl, Karl’s TV & Appliance
- 2007 – Pete Pederson, PAM Oil, Inc.; PAM Fuels, Inc.; PAM Warehouse, Inc.
- 2006 – Henry Carlson, Jr., Henry Carlson Company
- 2005 – Joe Floyd, Midcontinent Communications
- 2004 – Bernie Hunhoff, South Dakota Magazine
- 2003 – Sylvia Henkin, Retired Broadcaster and Owner of KSOO
- 2002 – Tom Everist, L.G. Everist Company
- 2001 – Joe Foss, Former Governor of South Dakota
- 2000 – Ruth Ziolkowski, Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation
- 1999 – Al Schock, Nordica
- 1998 – Al Neuharth, USA Today
- 1997 – Terry Redlin, Terry Redlin Art Center
- 1996 – Pat O’Brien, CBS Sports Show
- 1995 – Gordon F. Thomsen, Trail King Industries, Inc.
- 1994 – Dr. Aelred Kurtenbach, Daktronics, Inc.
- 1993 – David Christensen, Raven Industries
- 1992 – Oscar Austad, Austad’s
- 1991 – Marvin Schwan, Schwan’s Enterprises, Inc.
- 1990 – Bill Hustead, Wall Drug
- 1989 – Jerome J. Lohr, J Lohr Vineyards & Winery
- 1988 – Paul Christen, Minnesota Twins
- 1987 – Joe Robbie, Miami Dolphins