**Try Mentoring**

The Federal Women\'s Program and the Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS) management supports and promotes the use of informal
mentoring. A list of South Dakota volunteer mentors follows. These
mentors are willing to answer questions and provide counseling to those
who contact them. The employee who would like the assistance of a mentor
must make the first contact. You do not need to know the mentor on the
list before contacting them. Whether you are a new employee or not, the
mentors are available to support you in your work with the NRCS.

***Principles of the Mentoring Program:***

-   It is voluntary by both parties.

-   It is open to all NRCS employees and conservation partners.

-   It is flexible with minimal structure, allowing employees to choose
    someone they feel comfortable with.

-   There is no time limit on the relationship. Mentoring can continue
    as long as both parties agree to it.

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-   There are no restrictions on the number of mentors or mentees an
    employee has.

-   Confidentially is essential.

***Choosing a Mentor:***

Choose a mentor whose background and career path is similar to what your
goals are. Compatible style and interests are also important. Contacts
may be made by telephone or e-mail. If you have questions about NRCS
chosen careers, or other questions, by all means call a mentor.

**SOUTH DAKOTA\'S VOLUNTEER MENTOR LIST FY2008**

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  **Mentor Name**       **Position**                 **Location**

  Wayne Bachman         Soil Scientist               Canton FO

  Deanna Balster        Soil Conservationist         Hot Springs FO

  Kevin Beermann        Resource Conservation        Elk Point FO
                        Technician                   

  Dillon Blaha          Soil Conservationist         Onida FO

  Stan Boltz            Range Management Specialist  Huron SO

  Kim Brannen           Assistant State              Huron SO
                        Conservationist (Operations) 

  Michelle Burke        Agricultural Engineer        Brookings FSO

  Karen Cameron-Howell  Resource Conservationist     Brookings FSO

  Kent Cooley           Soil Scientist               Rapid City FSO

  Tony Doxtater         State Administrative Officer Huron SO

  Kent Duerre           District Conservationist     Sisseton FO

  Darrel DuVall         District Conservationist     Webster FO

  Lori Eggleston        Office Automation Assistant  Huron SO

  Doug Farrand          District Conservationist     Aberdeen FO

  Matt Grunig           Soil Conservationist         Lake Andes FO

  Kari Hall             Tribal Liaison               Lower Brule

  Grady Heitmann        District Conservationist     Faulkton FO

  Nell Heying           Soil Conservation Technician White River FO

  Kathy Irving          Secretary                    Huron SO

  Brian Johnston        GIS Specialist               Pierre FSO

  Shane Jordan          District Conservationist     Redfield FO

  Kim Kempton           Soil Scientist               Webster FO

  Colette Kessler       Public Affairs Specialist    Pierre FSO

  Mike Kuck             Assistant State              Huron SO
                        Conservationist/Programs     

  Mary Lou Lacey        Soil Conservationist         Sioux Falls FO

  Rick Lehman           Civil Engineering Technician Sioux Falls FO

  John Lentz            Soil (Resource)              Mitchell Ag. Waste
                        Conservationist              

  Steve Maras           District Conservationist     DeSmet FO

  Jessica Michalski     District Conservationist     Hayti FO

  Jason Miller          Conservation Agronomist      Pierre FO

  Sherri Miller         Computer Specialist          Pierre FSO

  Cheryl Nielsen        Rangeland Management         Belle Fourche FO
                        Specialist                   

  Tom Quinn             District Conservationist     Belle Fourche FO

  Heidi Rients          Soil Conservationist         Plankinton FO

  LaCaylla Ritter       Rangeland Management         Mound City FO
                        Specialist                   

  Robert Rennolet       District Conservationist     Parkston FO

  Paul Rolston          Resource Conservation        Tyndall FO
                        Technician                   

  Angela Roman          Agricultural Engineer        Pierre FSO

  Deron Ruesch          District Conservationist     Vermillion FO

  Mary Scott            Tribal Liaison               Rosebud

  Dan Shurtliff         Assistant State Soil         Huron SO
                        Scientist                    

  Cindy Steele          Environmental Engineer       Huron SO

  Laura Stern           Agricultural Engineer        Brookings FSO

  Vicki Supler          Contract Specialist          Huron SO

  Sara Thompson         Biologist                    Huron SO

  Donna Tiede           District Conservationist     Wessington Springs
                                                     FO

  Diana Tong            Soil Conservation Technician Wessington Springs
                                                     FO

  Brian Top             District Conservationist     Sioux Falls FO

  Stacy Turgeon         Conservation Agronomist      Chamberlain FO

  Mary Vaillancourt     Soil Conservationist         DeSmet FO

  Shaun Vickers         State Resource               Huron SO
                        Conservationist              
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