Leadership
T. Denny Sanford
OWNER, CHAIRMAN, UNITED NATIONAL CORPORATIONT. Denny Sanford, a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist, is the owner of First PREMIER Bank and PREMIER Bankcard. His philanthropic endeavors have helped enhance healthcare, education, families and economic development in the state of South Dakota and beyond. Denny actively supports and encourages volunteerism and community involvement. Inspired by his generosity, Denny, PREMIER and its employees have given more than $3 billion back to South Dakota organizations.
Miles Beacom
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER - PREMIER Bankcard
Miles Beacom has served as Chief Executive Officer of PREMIER Bankcard since 1993. Under his leadership, PREMIER Bankcard has grown to employee over 1500 people in South Dakota serving more than 4 million customers nationwide, making the company the 14th largest issuer of Mastercard credit cards in the country.
Miles has served on the Board of Directors for numerous organizations, including Sanford Health International, Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, United Way, Dakota State University, Catholic Diocese Foundation, the Catholic Community Foundation for Eastern South Dakota, and the Freedom Scholarship Board.
Miles is a graduate of Dakota State University and has provided three gifts to DSU for the construction of academic, research and athletic facilities. In 2009, the University of South Dakota dedicated the Beacom School of Business in his honor.
Dana Dykhouse
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER - First Premier Bank
Dana J. Dykhouse joined First PREMIER Bank in 1995. Under his leadership, the bank’s total assets have grown from $250 million to more than $3 billion. With Dana at the helm, First PREMIER Bank has been consistently ranked as one of the strongest performing banks in the nation and one of the best banks to work for. Dana gives his time to several organizations and is currently the Chairman for the Build Dakota Scholarship Fund and South Dakota Technical Education Board. He also serves on the board for the Freedom Scholarship and the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce. Dana is a graduate of South Dakota State University and donated money to help build the Dana J. Dykhouse football stadium on campus.
Dave Rozenboom
PRESIDENT - First PREMIER Bank
Dave joined First PREMIER Bank in 2011 and has enjoyed a 38+ year banking career, all in South Dakota. He is a 1985 graduate of Dordt University in Sioux Center, IA. Dave is an active advocate for the banking industry as a past Chair of the South Dakota Banker’s Association and currently serves on the SDBA Foundation Board of Directors. He also serves in leadership roles with several community and statewide organizations, including board member of the SD Chamber of Commerce & Industry, board member of the South Dakota Hall of Fame, member of the Avera Health System Investment Committee, and a member of the Dordt University Leadership Advisory Council.
Ben Marcello
PRESIDENT – PREMIER BANKCARD
Ben joined PREMIER Bankcard in 2023 and brought with him more than two decades of global consumer finance experience across a dozen countries. An alumnus of the University of Oxford, and a graduate of prestigious financial inclusion policy programs at both Harvard Business School and the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, Ben is considered one of the industry’s foremost experts in emerging credit. Aside professional experience and academic accolades, Ben has also committed much of his time and resources to philanthropic and social causes. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Washington Pavilion, Feeding South Dakota, and Children’s Home Society.
PREMIER Senior Leadership
Brenda Bethke
First PREMIER Bank
SVP, Marketing Comm.Brenda oversees our Corporate Brand and Communications, as well as Bank Marketing, Digital, Customer Care, Training and Public Relations. Brenda is on the Board of Directors of Downtown Sioux Falls and gives her time to community organizations like the United Way.
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605-357-3005Jesús “Jay” Febus
PREMIER Bankcard
SVP, Chief Info. OfficerJay serves as the Chief Information Officer for both First PREMIER Bank and PREMIER Bankcard. He sets the objectives, strategy, and manages the day-to-day activities of our IT group. Jay is active in the community serving on the Board of Directors for the Bishop Dudley Hospitality House and volunteering at The Banquet and Feeding South Dakota.
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605-357-3419Jeffrey Gednalske
PREMIER Bankcard
SVP, Chief Risk OfficerJeffrey is responsible for identifying, analyzing, and mitigating First PREMIER Bank and PREMIER Bankcard's internal and external operational and regulatory risks. He has a law degree and 24+ years of experience in the financial industry. He currently volunteers for Junior Achievement and the Sioux Empire Teen Court. He has also served on the Sioux Falls Board of Ethics and the Washington Pavilion Board of Trustees.
Phone
605-371-2875Lisa Gerner
PREMIER Bankcard
EVP, Chief Financial Officer BankcardAs Chief Financial Officer, Lisa is responsible for the financial health of PREMIER Bankcard and leads the day-to-day accounting and finance functions under the guidance of the CEO and Board of Directors. As Head of Human Resources and Facilities, Lisa is responsible for the employee recruitment, engagement, benefits and wellness, and the security of employees. She is a volunteer board member for the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, Court Appointed Special Advocates, and is on the Executive Leadership team for the American Heart Association Heart Walk.
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605-367-1347
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Ron Houston
PREMIER Bankcard
SVP, Product OperationsRon has been PREMIER for more than two decades. He is responsible for Product Services, Quality, PMO and Training at PREMIER Bankcard. Ron is a board member for Legends for Kids, an El Riad Shriner and helps with the Center for Active Generations’ Meals on Wheel program. He is also a board member for Wings of Valor, an organization that helps disabled veterans enjoy hunting and the great outdoors.
Phone
605-575-9838Chris Marshall
PREMIER Bankcard
Senior StrategistChris brings three decades of management consultation and corporate strategy to the PREMIER Bankcard leadership team. Prior to joining PREMIER, he worked as the Chief Operating Officer of the San Francisco based M Squared Consulting and was a partner with the SolomonEdwards Group. He most recently served as president of Peak Consulting Group, a firm providing strategic transformation services to U.S. consumer finance companies. Chris and his wife have two adult children and two young grandchildren.
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605-333-6145John McGrath
First PREMIER Bank
SVP, Chief Credit OfficerA 40+ year veteran of the banking industry, John manages the risk associated with First PREMIER Bank loans. He has also been officiating high school football in South Dakota for four decades and volunteers his time for Children’s Home Society.
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605-357-3007Tony Nour
PREMIER Bankcard
SVP, Relationship BankingTony is responsible for the overall growth, support and leadership of First PREMIER Bank’s Wealth Management, Private, Business, Retail, and Mortgage Banking teams. He serves the community through board roles with the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, Southeast Technical College, Start-Up Sioux Falls and the Sanford International. Tony is also a member of the American Bankers Association Emerging Leaders Council.
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605-357-3085
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Jennifer Olson
First PREMIER Bank
SVP, Card ServicesAs the Senior Vice President of Card Services, Jennifer oversees a variety of departments at PREMIER Bankcard, including Customer Service, Retention, Digital, Correspondence, Disputes, Fraud, Security and Mail Services for PREMIER Bankcard. Jennifer is a Sioux Falls native who loves the outdoors and giving her time to several non-profits. She is also part of the Financial Coalition Against Child Exploitation.
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605-357-3974Darrell E. Schmith
PREMIER Bankcard
EVP, Chief Financial Officer BankDarrell is a 30+ year veteran of the financial industry and helps manage First PREMIER Bank’s budget planning, daily finances and long-term stability. He is an active member of the community and currently serves on the Good Samaritan Society Board of Directors and with the Sioux Falls Business Improvement District Board.
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605-357-3126Chris Thornton
PREMIER Bankcard
SVP, Risk ServicesAs the Senior Vice President of Risk Services, Chris works to deliver effective strategies that maximize profitability throughout the entire credit cycle. Chris has more than 23 years of experience in the financial industry and volunteers his time in the community serving several organizations. He also served as Board President for Family Promise of Las Vegas, which helps families facing homelessness gain the tools necessary for sustained independence.
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605-333-6170Michael Upton
PREMIER Bankcard
SVP, Digital Strategy & Technology OperationsAs the Senior Vice President of Digital Strategy & Technology Operations, Michael leads PREMIER Bankcard's journey to provide meaningful technologies and digital experiences for its national customer base. A graduate of Oregon State University, Michael launched his career with a small software company that was ultimately acquired by American Express. He went on to hold executive positions with Bank of America, Capital One and First Tech Federal Credit Union. Upton has school-aged children and is active in their activities, as well as the community.
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605-607-5077
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Teresa Ward
PREMIER Bankcard
SVP, Internal AuditTeresa oversees the internal audit and loan review functions for First PREMIER Bank and PREMIER Bankcard. She is on the board of the Sioux Falls Chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) and the IIA’s International Professional Certifications Board. She has more than 33 years of audit experience and has worked in the states of Texas, Nebraska and South Dakota.
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605-575-9823
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