Governing Board of Directors

Our Governing Board of Directors is made up of representatives from various businesses, customer base, and communities served by Prairie Hills Transit. Board members meet once a month.

Kirk Easton, President representing the Spearfish community, grew up in the Black Hills.  He spent most of his childhood in Edgemont but graduated from Custer High School.  He received his undergraduate degree from Black Hills State University, his graduate degree from Washburn University in Topeka, KS, and his specialist degree from the University of Sioux Falls.  He currently serves as the Superintendent of Schools for the Spearfish School District.  He is married to Jacky and has two children, Tennison and Kenni.

Mark Carstensen, Vice-President is the Mayor of the City of Sturgis. 

Renae Schaeffer, Secretary/Treasurer is currently employed at Pioneer Trust & Estate Services in the Spearfish branch.  Prior to joining Pioneer Bank & Trust in May 2018, Renae spent 28 years in public accounting, including as an auditor of non-profit organizations.  Community service is very important to Renae and she has been involved in many local organizations.  Renae and her husband Steve live in Belle Fourche.  They have 2 children and 2 grandchildren.  She and Steve enjoy spending time with family, camping, and hiking in their free time.

John Senden was born and raised in Marshall MN and grew up on a farm. He attended Southwest State University and obtained a degree in Business Administration in 1980. John started working at a local bank in Marshall in 1976 for what he thought was a “good “ college part-time job. Well, that part-time job turned into a 44-year career with Norwest/ Wells Fargo banks. In 1996 John transferred to Spearfish SD from Marshall for a promotion. John and his wife Linda have been married for 39 years and have four children. Three of their children are now married and they have 5 grandchildren. John retired from banking in 2021 and then was elected as Mayor of Spearfish in April of 2022. John and Linda are glad to call Spearfish home and want to continue supporting the community that has been so good to their family.

Richard A. Pluimer was born and raised in Belle Fourche, South Dakota. After attending college in Oregon, Dick returned to the Black Hills, graduating from Black Hills State University. Dick went on to Law School and graduated from Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska in 1979. Dick served as a member of the Butte County Board of County Commissioners before relocating his practice to Spearfish with Tom Brady in 2001. Dick has also served on non-profit organization Boards of Directors including Spearfish Canyon Owners Association and regularly advises non-profit Boards as part of his practice. Dick and his wife Gloria have a blended family of four boys. Gloria is the Director of Educational Programs for the Black Hills Special Services Cooperative. Their family is far-reaching with sons residing in Seattle, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, and Spearfish.

Julie Hill, has been an H & R Block franchise owner in Hot Springs and Custer and a tax professional for 35 years. She has served on the board of Hot Springs Transit for 15 years and was on the board of Southern Hills Transit prior to joining Prairie Hills Transit. “With such a large segment of older citizens in our community as well as veterans, low income and special needs individuals, I believe that the services we provide are essential.”