Governor appoints former ag secretary to lead economic development office

Yahoo! News - Apr 23rd, 2025

South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden has appointed Bill Even as the new commissioner of the Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED), taking over from Joe Fiala who will transition to the role of deputy commissioner. This leadership shuffle comes less than a year after Fiala's own appointment to the commissioner role by former Governor Kristi Noem. Even, a former state Secretary of Agriculture and CEO of the National Pork Board, is expected to leverage his extensive experience to drive South Dakota's economic growth by recruiting, retaining, and expanding businesses within the state. The governor expressed confidence in Even's leadership and praised Fiala for his continued dedication to GOED, emphasizing the importance of their partnership.

This change in leadership at GOED is significant as it highlights the state's ongoing efforts to enhance its economic development initiatives. Even's background in agriculture and policy, coupled with his private sector experience, positions him well to address the challenges and opportunities facing South Dakota's economy. His appointment marks a strategic move to attract both local and out-of-state businesses, thereby fostering economic growth and job creation. The reshuffle reflects a broader trend in governance where experienced leaders from diverse backgrounds are appointed to pivotal roles to drive policy and economic objectives forward.

Leadership Change Economic Development South Dakota Bill Even Joe Fiala Governor Larry Rhoden Goed Business Recruitment

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.0

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a clear and timely report on the appointment of Bill Even as Commissioner of the Governor's Office of Economic Development in South Dakota. It accurately presents the main facts and offers insight into Even's background and the roles within GOED. However, the story could benefit from a more balanced perspective by including viewpoints from various stakeholders and independent sources.

While the article succeeds in readability and clarity, it lacks depth in transparency and source quality due to its reliance on official statements without additional context or third-party verification. The potential public interest and impact are present, given the relevance of economic development to South Dakota's citizens, but the piece could engage readers more effectively by addressing potential controversies or challenges related to the appointments.

Overall, the article is a solid piece of reporting that could be enhanced by incorporating a wider range of perspectives and providing more comprehensive background information on the implications of the leadership changes within GOED.

Accuracy

The story accurately reports Bill Even's appointment as Commissioner of the Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED) by Governor Larry Rhoden, as well as Joe Fiala's transition to the Deputy Commissioner role. These claims are supported by the Governor's Office announcement. The article also correctly outlines Even's past roles, such as his tenure as South Dakota's Secretary of Agriculture and his positions in the private sector. However, the story could benefit from more precise dates for these appointments and transitions to enhance factual precision.

Balance

The article primarily presents the perspective of the Governor's Office and Bill Even, with quotes from Governor Rhoden and Even himself. While it provides a positive outlook on Even's appointment, it lacks viewpoints from other stakeholders, such as opposition parties or economic experts, which could offer a more balanced view of the potential impact of this leadership change. Including such perspectives would help readers understand differing opinions on the effectiveness and implications of these appointments.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear, straightforward language, making it easy to understand. It logically presents the sequence of events regarding the appointments and transitions within GOED. However, the inclusion of more detailed background information on the roles and responsibilities of the GOED could provide additional clarity for readers unfamiliar with the department's functions.

Source quality

The story relies heavily on statements from the Governor's Office and Bill Even, which are credible primary sources for the information presented. However, the article does not reference independent or third-party sources that could corroborate or provide additional context to the claims made. Incorporating insights from economic analysts or industry experts would enhance the credibility and depth of the reporting.

Transparency

The article clearly attributes its information to the Governor's Office, but it lacks transparency regarding the broader context of these appointments. There is no discussion of the methodology behind the appointment decisions or potential conflicts of interest. Providing background on the decision-making process and any potential biases would improve transparency and help readers better understand the motivations behind the appointments.