SFLS Board of Directors
JoAnn Hirsch, Chair
Faith Lutheran Church
Mrs. Hirsch began working in healthcare as a registered nurse in 1978. She is currently employed as the compliance officer and risk manager at Sioux Falls Specialty Hospital.
Greg Miller, Vice-Chair
Memorial Lutheran Church
Mr. Miller has a degree in information technology, and has over 39 years experience in the technology career field. He recently retired from Citibank, serving the bank for 35+ years, all in Sioux Falls. He is a Nebraska native, his four children all attended SFLS, and he currently has two grandchildren attending the school. Mr. Miller previously served on the SFLS school board in the 1990s, and has also served on the Lutheran High School Board and the Sioux Falls Multi-Cultural Board.
Abby Breems, Vice-Chair
Lord of Life Lutheran Church
Mrs. Breems graduated from North Dakota State University with a bachelor’s degree in history and minors in sociology and business administration. She currently works as a customer success manager in the sales department at SONIFI Solutions, where she has been employed for the past 10 years.
Dr. Dean Gesch, Secretary
Lord of Life Lutheran Church
Dr. Gesch has a Ph.D. in Geospatial Science and Engineering from South Dakota State University. He is employed with the U.S. Geological Survey as a research scientist and, since 1992, has worked at the Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center in Sioux Falls. His two children graduated from SFLS in the early 2000s, and Dr. Gesch served on the SFLS board in the 1990s. He has also served in numerous leadership positions at his church and on the board of directors for the Sioux Empire Baseball Association.
Tim Wagner, Treasurer
Resurrection Lutheran Church
Mr. Wagner has a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND. He has been employed by Sodexo for the past 37 years, during which he has served as a food service director, senior finance manager, contract management trainer, and most recently in contract management risk mitigation. He and his family moved to Sioux Falls in the Fall of 2019.
Pastor Joe Howlett
Faith Lutheran Church
Rev. Joseph Howlett holds a bachelor’s degree in education from USD and is a former public school teacher in English education. He earned his Master of Divinity degree in 1985 from Fort Wayne, which lead to serving congregations in Montana, North and South Dakota, and Texas. He has been a district officer in youth ministry, Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, Lutheran Laymen’s League, and Lutherans for Life. He was also the religious coordinator for Mike Durfee State Prison and trained a Specific Ministry Pastor in Texas. He was active in hurricane recovery while serving in southeast Texas.
Sarah Swingdorf
Memorial Lutheran Church
BIO COMING SOON!
Paula Clemens
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church
Mrs. Clemens has worked in the banking industry for over 35 years. She has served on the Sioux Falls Lutheran School and Lutheran High School of Sioux Falls boards in the past, and has a son who attended Sioux Falls Lutheran School from preschool through 8th grade.
Laura Drevlow
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church
Mrs. Drevlow has a bachelor’s degree in social work and currently serves as a social worker at Avera McKennan hospital. Prior to her time at Avera, she spent seven years as a substitute teacher in the Sioux Falls School District while simultaneously serving as a foster parent, volunteering at her church, and volunteering for a variety of foster care panels.
Jan Schmuck
Resurrection Lutheran Church
Mrs. Schmuck worked as a nurse at Sanford Health in Sioux Falls for 25 years. She and her husband, Al, are founding members of Resurrection Lutheran Church, which opened its doors in 1991. Her children also attended Sioux Falls Lutheran School.
Mary Ann Zinnel, Representative
Zion Lutheran Church,
High School Supporting Member
Mrs. Zinnel is a graduate of Wayne State College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She currently serves as an administrative assistant at Avera and previously served as a retail manager for 16 years. She attended a Lutheran grade school in Nebraska and has been a long-time supporter of SFLS. She also serves on our Endowment Committee and has been involved with various volunteering activities at her church.