The Governor’s Awards of Excellence is designed to highlight excellence, build engagement, and provide a direct connection between the governor and executive branch employees. For 2024, employees were nominated in the following four categories:

• Service – Someone who went above and beyond to provide service to their workers or the South Dakota community.
• Safety – An individual or team who prevented harm or improved the outcomes related to health, injury, and illness for others.
• Leadership – Someone who demonstrates the highest qualities sought in a leader whether at work or in their community.
• Innovation – An individual or team who enacted change that significantly impacted their department, agency, or state in a positive manner.

Nominations for 2024 are closed. Watch this space for news on the winners!

2023 Winners

Employees were recognized by Governor Noem and Lt. Governor Rhoden in four categories at an awards dinner on Thursday, on May 4, 2023.

L to R: Governor Noem, Matt Oxner, DPS (Innovation), John Peterson, DOM (Service), Kayla Oelkers, DOC (Safety), Emmett Keyser, GFP (Leadership), Lt Governor Rhoden