Press
Release
For Immediate Release
Media Alert
Contact:
Angie Richards
(515) 281-1014
arichards@fhlbdm.com
NATIONAL EXPERTS HEADLINE FEDERAL
HOME LOAN BANK CONFERENCE TO
CAPITALIZE ON RURAL DAKOTAS
(Des Moines, Iowa) – A roster of
nationally acclaimed experts weighs
in on the future and fortunes of
North Dakota and South Dakota at a
major conference in Sioux Falls,
August 8 – 9, 2006.
Sponsored by the Federal Home Loan
Bank of Des Moines (the Dakotas are
in its District), “Capitalizing on
Rural America – the Dakotas” is
designed to introduce local leaders
and community bankers to new models
for everything from economic
development to capital formation.
Headliners include:
Ben Stein, comedian, lawyer,
actor, professor, and finance guru
best known for his nerdy role in
“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” and as
host of Comedy Central’s “Win Ben
Stein’s Money.” As conference
keynoter, Stein applies his talent
and background to issues facing
rural America.
Bill Kurtis, distinguished
journalist, Emmy Award-winning
producer of A&E’s “Cold Case Files”
and “Investigative Reports,” and
angel investor in the small town of
Sedan, Kansas. Kurtis facilitates a
town meeting with panelists from
North Dakota and South Dakota and
the audience on the states’ future.
Panelists:
}
John Boehle
CEO, founder of
Point2Point Airways, Grand Forks,
North Dakota
}
Mary Erman
SVP and COO, Starion
Financial, Bismarck, North Dakota
}
Rick Killion
editor, Prairie Business
magazine, Grand Forks, North Dakota
}
Marty Shukert
partner in RDG Planning &
Design, specialist in small-town
revitalization
}
Rod Fouberg
CEO, Dacotah Bank,
Aberdeen, South Daktoa
}
Sheila Hoffman
CEO, founder, Golden Pond
Software, Milbank, South Dakota
Additional speakers include:
Tom Walker, creator of the national
model to develop an entrepreneurial
economy on how to turn innovation
into a business. He is COO of i2E in
Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Jack Schultz, author of “Boomtown
USA: The 7 1/2 Keys to Big Success
in Small Towns. Schultz is CEO of
Agracel in Effingham, Illinois.
Andrew Skadberg, chief knowledge
officer of AdventGX in College
Station, Texas, focuses on tourism
as an economic development strategy.
There is no charge to attend the
conference and it is open to the
public, but registration is
required. To register online, go to
www.fhlbdm.com.
“Capitalizing on Rural America – the
Dakotas” will be held at the
Sheraton Sioux Falls & Convention
Center. For more information,
contact Angie Richards at
800.544.3452, ext. 1014 or
arichards@fhlbdm.com.
