Gov. Rounds Appoints Even to Head Department of Agriculture

News Date March 20, 2007

Gov. Mike Rounds announced last week the selection of William Even as South Dakota's new secretary of agriculture.
         "I'm please to announce Bill Even has accepted my offer to step in as South Dakota's Secretary of Agriculture," said Rounds. "Bill brings a wealth of personal knowledge about the agriculture industry in South Dakota. His background in production agriculture, as well as his current service as Deputy Secretary of Tourism and State Development, will serve him well in his new role as Secretary of Agriculture."
         Even has most recently served as director of the Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED) and deputy secretary of tourism and state development. He also served as the state's energy director and as executive director for the South Dakota Energy Infrastructure Authority. Bill is also a member of the State Energy Advisory Board, which advises the U.S. Department of Energy on policy.
         In addition to his duties with the South Dakota Department of Agriculture, Even is a member of the South Dakota Bar Association and the American Agricultural Law Association. He served for ten years on the Board of Directors of the Humboldt Farmers Elevator Company and 15 years as a volunteer emergency medical technician and firefighter.
         Bill owns and operates a diversified crop and livestock operation with his father and brother near Humboldt, S.D., that was homesteaded in 1881 by his great-grandfather. They raise corn, soybeans, small grains, and hay and have a cow-calf operation. Bill and his wife, Janell, live in Pierre with their three children: Sarah, Anthony, and Jill.
         Even holds an associates degree in Agricultural Production from Lake Area Technical Institute in Watertown, S.D., a bachelor's degree in Agricultural Business with highest honors from South Dakota State University in Brookings, S.D., and a JD with high honors from Drake University Law School in Des Moines, Iowa, where he was an Opperman Scholar and received a certificate in food and agricultural law. He will begin his duties on Monday, March 26, 2007. He fills the vacancy left by Larry Gabriel. (Contact: Rick Kirchhoff)