About Us
Diane Diekman – President
Diane Diekman, who grew up on a South Dakota farm, is a retired U.S. Navy captain and a published author. During her 32 years on active duty, she traveled around the world as an aircraft maintenance officer. Twice named All-American Commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 628, she currently serves on the funeral honor guards for the American Legion and VFW in Sioux Falls. She is the biographer of Faron Young, Marty Robbins, and Randy Travis.
Tom Verhey – 1st Vice President
Tom Verhey grew up in Dell Rapids in Southeast South Dakota and enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1993. He was assigned as a Machine Gunner with the 3rd Battalion/5th Marine Regiment, the most decorated combat unit in the Marines, and was discharged as a Corporal following four years of active duty. In 1997, he began a career in the banking industry and is presently Vice President of Treasury Services for American Bank & Trust in Sioux Falls.He has served as an ambassador for the Mitchell Area Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce, including two years as President of the Mitchell Ambassadors Committee. He is a member of Marine Corps League Det 659, American Legion Post 15, El Riad Shriners, Resurgam Lodge 31 (past master), and has volunteered in Junior Achievement since 2007. Tom and his wife of 28 years, Jaimi, live in Sioux Falls and have 4 children: Brandt, Alex, Lukas, & Ethan.
Harry Engberg – 2nd Vice President
Harry Engberg manages the Battleship Memorial museum and store. He recently retired from private practice as an attorney in Sioux Falls. During his 14 years as an officer in the U.S. Army, he graduated from Command and General Staff College, commanded a transportation company, and served as advisor to the South Vietnamese Army. He earned his Juris Doctor degree at the University of South Dakota. He is Past Executive Director of the South Dakota Lions Foundation and a trustee of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 628.
Karen Dunham – 3rd Vice President
Karen Dunham is a real estate broker and owner of The Dunham Company Residential Real Estate in Sioux Falls. Originally from Minneota, Minnesota, she spent 17 years in the Naval Reserve and was present at the dedication of Battleship South Dakota Memorial. She has participated in the USS South Dakota battleship crewmember reunions since they began in 1970. She is Past President of the Sioux Falls Board of Realtors and a member of numerous other boards. Her honors and awards include the Sales & Marketing Distinguished Sales Award, Realtor of the Year, and 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award. Karen enjoys golf, bowling, and being “Grandma.”
Eric Cleveringa
Eric Cleveringa is a fifteen-year F-16 pilot with the South Dakota Air National Guard, currently serving as Commander of the 175th Fighter Squadron. A Siouxland native who grew up in Rock Rapids, Iowa, he graduated from the University of North Dakota, specializing in aviation and economics. In 2013 he graduated from the University of South Dakota School of Law. Eric has numerous combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, yet his proudest accomplishments involve his friends and family, specifically his wife Leslie, children Connor and Audrey, and dog Champ. His family enjoys the outdoors, especially hiking, camping, fishing, and skiing.
Eric Erickson
Eric Erickson grew up on a farm near Summit, South Dakota, graduated from South Dakota State University, and served as an aircraft mechanic in the South Dakota Air National Guard. He worked as a Daktronics Inc. salesman in the large sport venue market in Florida before returning to South Dakota to serve as Executive Director of the South Dakota Association of County Officials. He graduated from the University of South Dakota School of Law in 2013, joined Cutler Law Firm LLP, and became a partner in January 2018. His practice is focused on business matters, real estate, and governmental relations. Eric and his wife, Hannah, live in Sioux Falls with their children, Henry and Hazel.
Preston Olson
Preston Olson, born in Estelline, South Dakota, spent three years in the U.S. Navy as an aerographer’s mate after graduating from Hayti High School in 1958. He founded Olson’s Exterminators in Norfolk, Nebraska, in 1966, and now operates throughout the Plains States. He served two terms as president of the Nebraska Pest Control Association. Heavily involved in La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux, he succeeded in rechartering 40 & 8 Voiture 185 in Yankton and chartered Voiture 180 in Sioux Falls. Preston and his wife live in Sioux Falls and are active with 40 & 8 flag programs for school students.
Daryl Skancke
Daryl Skancke is the owner of a Sioux Falls brokerage firm, Realty Center Inc. He grew up in Baltic, South Dakota, and has been in real estate sales for 30 years. He plays lead guitar and has been inducted into the South Dakota Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame. Over the years, his bands included Who Cares, the Night Raiders Band, and the Chute Rooster Band. He played his first gig at age 13–on trumpet in a high school band. In addition to music, he enjoys fishing and travel.
Tom Stengrim
Tom Stengrim is the founder and lead business strategist at Lazios in Harrisburg, South Dakota. He works with startup companies in developing a plan to get their ideas from the back of a napkin to the marketplace. He also works with existing companies that want to grow to the next level, requiring an evolving strategy and preparation to acquire that next stage of capital investment. Tom moved to South Dakota in 1999 and founded Stengrim Insurance, Inc. A native of Stephen, Minnesota, he joined the U.S. Navy in 1986 and was commissioned a Supply Corps officer in 2008. He lives in Harrisburg and currently holds the rank of Lieutenant Commander in the United States Naval Reserve.
Richard (Rick) Tupper
Rick Tupper grew up in Watertown, South Dakota, and is a veteran of the U.S. Navy, where he served as a Master at Arms. Rick spent 20 years as a police officer, graduating from the FBI National Academy and earning a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of South Dakota. He has spent the last 20 years at Augustana University where he serves as the Associate Vice President for Safety. Rick enjoys volunteering his time serving on several law enforcement, veteran, and community boards.