Avera McKennan Announces Board of Directors Appointments

Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center announces appointments to its Board of Directors for its new fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026.

Jennifer Bunkers has been named board chair and Mary Dally will serve as vice chair.

Bunkers is a partner at Redstone Law Firm, with previous experience in health care billing and reimbursement. She holds a law degree from the University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law and bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Sioux Falls. She previously served as chair of the Avera Foundation Board, and currently serves on the board of directors for Volunteers of America – Dakotas Foundation, Inc., South Dakota Governor’s Trust Task Force, and the South Dakota Ag Foundation.

Mary Dally, Steve Clarke and Scott Erickson join the board.

Dally graduated from the University of South Dakota with a bachelor of science degree in Business Administration and Accounting. She is a partner at Paceline Accounting Group, LLP, in Sioux Falls. Her areas of expertise are wealth and tax planning for businesses, individuals, trusts and estates. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the South Dakota CPA Society. She has served on many community boards and committees, most recently including St. Michael Cemetery, Better Business Bureau of Sioux Falls and Downtown Sioux Falls.

Clarke and his family own County Fair Food Stores, with locations throughout South Dakota and Nebraska. He previously served on the Avera Queen of Peace Foundation Board and currently serves on the boards of Avera Dells Area, the Dell Rapids Economic Development Corporation, and the Dell Rapids Athletic Booster Club. Clarke also serves on the boards of directors for the National Grocers Association in Washington, D.C., and Associated Wholesale Grocers in Kansas City. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Sioux Falls.

Erickson is President and Chief Executive Officer and a director of American Bank & Trust in Sioux Falls. In addition, he is President and a director of Leackco Bank Holding Company, Inc., and previously served as CEO of Erickson Investment Company. He also co-founded and served as Executive Chairman of Standard Trust Company. Erickson brings long-standing public-sector and nonprofit governance experience. He is current Chairman of the South Dakota Housing Development Authority, serving as Commissioner since 2017. He also serves on the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce Board and the Avera McKennan Philanthropy Council. He holds a bachelor’s degree from South Dakota State University and is a graduate of the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University.

Avera McKennan thanks outgoing board members, Pat Costello, who is joining the Avera Health Board, and Sr. Mary Carole Curran, Van Fishback, Randy Knecht and Cristina Hill-Jensen, MD.

“Service on the Board of Directors is an important aspect of the Avera Health ministry. People from within our organization and the greater community bring their talents and experience together to provide guidance and direction,” said Ron Place, MD, Regional President and CEO of Avera McKennan. “Avera McKennan patients, families and staff ultimately benefit from the insights they share and we are so grateful for their service.”