Mickelson, leaders who perished in 1993 crash honored with Economic Development Leadership Day

Ceremony held at Sioux Falls Development Foundation headquarters on the 30th anniversary of crash that rocked South Dakota

The Sioux Falls Development Foundation Wednesday marked the 30th anniversary of the death of Gov. George Mickelson and seven others, who perished in a plane crash while returning from an economic development assignment in Ohio, with a memorial ceremony that doubled as a celebration for economic development.

While South Dakota continues to mourn the deaths of past leaders who perished in a plane crash 30 years ago — including former Gov. George Mickelson — their legacies as champions of economic prosperity live on.

That was the theme of the Sioux Falls Development Foundation’s Economic Development Leadership Day, which also served as a memorial ceremony held in downtown Sioux Falls Wednesday at the organization’s Roger A. Hainje Briefing Center — whose namesake was one of the eight men who perished in the crash on April 19, 1993.

“The Sioux Falls Development Foundation has continued to carry out the legacy of these men and the organization’s mission to collaboratively create quality economic growth and workforce development in the Sioux Falls area to improve the quality of life,” SFDF Board Chairman Steve Kolbeck said. “The Sioux Falls Development Foundation has been and will continue to be a driving force in this community, continuing the legacy of those leaders and professionals who have dedicated their careers to our community, and we are humbled to honor them in this way.”

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