BUSINESS JOURNAL

Marketing leader hopes to show relevance of group

Jodi Schwan
jschwan@sfbusinessjournal.com

The Question and Answer feature helps readers learn more about prominent people in the business community. This issue's Q&A profilesShelly Johnson, account supervisor for Lawrence & Schiller.

Q: How did you become interested in your field?

A: “The profession of sales and marketing has always come naturally to me. The more a person knows about the field of marketing, the more interested you become. There are so many aspects to it, and quite honestly I find the people and culture fascinating. There are many brave and creative thinkers and doers out there and right here.”

Q: What do you enjoy most about your work?

A: “Hard work equals high reward and sense of accomplishment. We take on some really big things for and with our clients, and it takes a special kind of relationship and trust to work through things together. Plus, I’m surrounded by some really smart and funny people, so there’s plenty of banter, something we all need.”

Q: You recently became board president of Sales & Marketing Executives of Sioux Falls Inc. What goals do you have for the sales and marketing organization during your term?

A: “SME Sioux Falls offers so much to its members, and it’s unique in that everything we do is for the professional growth of the members. We have a great story to tell, and we have to get out in front of our business leaders and influencers with it. The face of leadership in Sioux Falls is changing, and it’s an interesting time. This organization has been around since the 1960s, so it’s important that we demonstrate how SME is relevant and forward-thinking.”

Q: Do you have a charity or organization that’s especially close to your heart?

A: “Kids, dogs and seniors really tug at my heartstrings. The volunteer time I spent a few years ago as a Lutheran Social Services in-school mentor really got to me, and it is something I will eventually go back to. That’s the reality wake-up call you don’t get from serving on a committee.”

Q: What has been your most rewarding experience in the past year?

A: “I had a great year last year having survived the bigger SME challenge of booking and contracting all of the speakers. What seemed daunting turned out to be rewarding, and spending time with national speakers, just talking with them and getting to know them, was a huge privilege.”

Q: What do you think are the best and worst things about living in Sioux Falls?

A: “I’ve always loved Sioux Falls, and now I’m really excited about Sioux Falls. Downtown is amazing, but everywhere you go around town there’s a great vibe with all of the local shops and restaurants, not to mention all of the entertainment venues. It feels like the places and the people are thriving. I can’t think of a ‘worst thing’ about living in Sioux Falls; that being said we can’t lose sight of the fact there are many among us who need a helping hand, and the more the city grows and changes, the more those needs will increase. I think we’re a pretty generous and compassionate community, and my hope is that will never change.”

THE JOHNSON FILE

Name: Shelly Johnson

Title: Account supervisor at Lawrence & Schiller

Hometown: Sioux Falls

Age: 50

Background: Graduated from Washington High School and attended Southeast Technical Institute and the University of Sioux Falls; worked for Midcontinent Communications from 1984 to 2001 in business sales and sales management; began working at Lawrence & Schiller in 2001 in account service; serves as president of Sales & Marketing Executives Inc. of Sioux Falls and on the campaign Cabinet and community impact team for the Sioux Empire United Way; mentors middle school students through Lutheran Social Services and serves on the diplomat committee with the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce

Family: “My mom, Betty, is a wonderfully fun and outgoing person everyone loves to be around. I have a sister, Diane, and a brother, Bill, who are also in Sioux Falls, plus nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and even one great-great niece. My husband, Ben, and I have been married for 21 years and he has a great family, too. His mom had a milestone 95th birthday this year.”

Interests and hobbies: “No big surprise that I am an avid shopper. I also love to cook and have found cooking as a way to relax on the weekends when I have time to try something new. “