Hailing from Mobridge, SD, Jesse Fonkert attended Augustana University in Sioux Falls. He double majored in Business Administration and Government/International Affairs, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2014. Jesse interned for several years with First PREMIER Bank followed by internships with the Office of Representative Kevin Cramer (ND), the Lincoln/Minnehaha County Economic Development Associations, and the Sioux Falls Development Foundation. Beginning in January 2015, he accepted a position with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in Washington, D.C. as the Program Analyst in the Office of Commissioner Tony Clark.

Fonkert started working as the Chamber and Economic Development Director in July of 2016. He works directly with the Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce and Hartford Area Development Corporation to support existing businesses, bring more jobs & businesses to town, and to foster a thriving community.

Jesse and his wife Kelsey reside in Hartford. He is an active member of the Hartford Jamboree Days Committee, West Central Junior Achievement, Minnehaha County Economic Development Association, Augustana GOLD Board of Directors,West Central Education Foundation, and St. John American Lutheran Church.

You can contact Jesse by emailing him at jesse@hartford.life or calling the office at 605-528-3338.