Our Leadership

Jesse Fonkert serves as President & CEO of South Dakota Trade, the state’s premier international trade organization. In this role as chief diplomat, he leads efforts to expand global market access for South Dakota’s agricultural producers and businesses while strengthening international partnerships that advance the state’s economic interests.

Prior to South Dakota Trade, Jesse served as Deputy Commissioner of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, where he acted as both Chief Operations Officer and Chief Strategy Officer. His leadership helped drive statewide economic development priorities under Governors Kristi Noem and Larry Rhoden resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars of capital investment in the state and national recognition for South Dakota.

Jesse is widely recognized for revitalizing regional economic development efforts in southeast South Dakota. As President & CEO of the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance from 2020 to 2023, he led a successful merger of regional organizations, supported over $80 million in capital investments, and initiated critical infrastructure efforts, including wastewater regionalization and industrial park expansion.

In 2023, Jesse was honored with the Governor’s Excellence in Economic Development Award, recognizing his long-standing commitment to advancing South Dakota’s communities. A connector at heart, he is known for building effective public-private partnerships and fostering consensus to deliver long-term results.

A Hartford resident, Jesse earned his B.A. in Business Administration and Government/International Affairs from Augustana University (SD). He is a graduate of Leadership South Dakota, Leadership Sioux Falls, and the Heartland Economic Development Course. Most importantly, Jesse enjoys walking through life with wife Kelsey. He is blessed with two beautiful girls and a Boykin Spaniel.