500 E. Capitol Ave.
Pierre, SD57501
(605) 773-3212
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 19, 2009
CONTACT: Joe Kafka or Roxy Everson at 605-773-3212
Jason Dilges Selected as 2009 Henry Toll Fellow
Lexington, KY – Jason Dilges, commissioner of the South Dakota Bureau of Finance and Management, is one of 40 emerging state leaders from across the nation selected for the prestigious Toll Fellowship Program sponsored by the Council of State Governments.
The Sept. 12-17, 2009, annual seminar that’s named in honor of Henry Toll, a Colorado senator who founded CSG in 1933, seeks to develop the next generation of leaders from the three branches of state government. This year's program, held in Lexington, Ky., focuses on trends analysis, policy development, media and constituent relations, and leadership and institutional changes. The experience gives the chosen leaders perspectives they would not ordinarily obtain during the course of their regular government service.
South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds nominated Dilges for the Toll Fellowship. The Governor, who had earlier served in the state Senate and worked with Dilges during three state budget cycles, hired Dilges as state budget director in 2002.
In his post, he is charged with oversight of the $3.9 billion state budget and more than 14,000 state employees. Dilges was instrumental this year in forging a balanced state budget that resulted in $37 million in cuts and preservation of budget reserves for future years.
“As the primary spokesman for me on budget and appropriations matters, Jason has developed excellent rapport with legislators of both parties to create an atmosphere of cooperation with which even the toughest issues can be resolved,” Gov. Rounds said.
“Leading the budget preparation and budget explanation/selling processes can burn out even the best people in a few years. But Jason is better than the best,” the Governor said. “Jason has gone beyond the numbers to be an excellent policy and management advisor.”
Dilges, 37, also received Toll Fellowship endorsements from state Sen. Jean Hunhoff, R-Yankton, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and state Treasurer Vernon L. Larson.
Dilges was selected from many outstanding applicants by a committee of elected and appointed state officials as one of the most promising leaders in state government. This year’s applicant pool included leaders from all three branches and represented 40 states and two U.S. territories. Past Toll Fellowship graduates include governors, U.S. Senators and members of Congress, as well as leaders in state government.
Dilges graduated from the University of South Dakota School of Business in 1994 with an undergraduate degree in Business Administration/Finance Emphasis. He received an MBA in Finance Emphasis from USD in 1995. He started with the Bureau of Finance and Management in 1997 and became deputy budget director in 2000. He was manager of financial analysis at Northwestern Corp. in Sioux Falls for a short period in 2002 before assuming his current position.
The Council of State Governments is the premier multi-branch organization forecasting policy trends for the community of states, commonwealths and territories on a national and regional basis. CSG alerts state officials to emerging social, economic, and political trends; offers innovative state policy responses to rapidly changing conditions; and advocates multistate problem solving to maximize resources and competitiveness. CSG promotes excellence in decision-making and leadership skills, and it champions state sovereignty.
For more information about the Henry Toll Fellowship Program, contact Krista Rinehart at (859)244-8249.
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*Dilges (DIHL’-jes)