Nomination Process: In late August of 2001 a mailing was made to individuals and organizations throughout the state, inviting them to submit nominations for the steering committee. A total of 21 nominations were receive by the September 15 deadline. The Board of Vocational Rehabilitation reviewed the nominations and selected committee members. As vacancies occur, the FTW Project invites nominations by sending out a statewide mailing announcing the vacancies and calling for nominations. The SD Department of Human Services Secretary then makes appointments to the council.

In selecting Leadership Council (LC) members, the FTW Project strives to ensure both statewide geographical representation, as well as cross-disability representation within the make-up of the committee, and to have a majority of members who are persons with disabilities or family members of persons with disabilities.

Current LC members representing persons with disabilities or families of persons with disabilities are:

Charlotte Athey - Big Stone
Vikki Day - Highmore
Kristi Eisenbraun - Webster
Brett Glirbas - Sioux Falls
Jennifer Gray - Aberdeen
Kevin Gretillat - Sioux Falls
Ron Hoops-Groton
Tim Lemke - Bruce
Mary Lesselyoung - Spearfish
Tom Lingscheit - Miller
Lindsey O'Hare - Aberdeen
Teryl Pickard - Rapid City
Ed Pinkman - Aberdeen
Travis Robinson - Sioux Falls
Brenda Schroeder - Carthage
William Shroll - Watertown
Brenda Smith - Mitchell
Cassie Stoeser - Pierre
Bonnie Wade - Flandreau

Current LC Members Representing State & Federal Agencies

Member	State Agency
Grady Kickul	Division of Rehabilitation Services
Janet Lehmkuhl	Department of Social Services
Gaye Mattke	Division of Service to the Blind & Visually Impaired
Donna Oliver	Division of Developmental Disabilities
Mike Ryan	Department of Labor
Jennifer Seale	Division of Mental Health

Executive Committee: The Leadership Council has established an executive committee, comprised of a chairperson, vice chairperson and member at large. The chairperson and vice chairperson must be persons with disabilities or family members, and the member at large must be the project director. Current Executive Committee members are: Ron Hoops, chairperson; Charlotte Athey, vice chairperson; and Grady Kickul, member at large.

The Leadership Council meets quarterly to provide direction and guidance to the project and its staff.  They met via DDN on July 29, and future meetings are tentatively scheduled for October, November and December.