Ryan, Jen, and Tregen Jensen
My name is Ryan Jensen and I was the middle child born to Craig and Peggi Jensen in Wessington Springs, South Dakota. I grew up in nearby Alpena, population, 300. Attending school in Alpena, I graduated with thirteen others in 1998. I attended Southeast Technical Institute in Sioux Falls, SD and received an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Financial Services. Continuing my education at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, South Dakota, I earned my Bachelor of Arts of Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance and a minor in Computers and Technology. I have lived in Mitchell ever since graduating from college and continue to work at First Dakota Bank as a loan officer, specializing in business loans.
Family is very important to me and the majority of my family is geographically close. My mom and dad continue to live in Alpena on the same farm 3.5 miles south of town where I grew up. Alpena is about 50 miles or 45 minutes northwest of Mithcell. My Grandpa and Grandma Jensen also live on a farm 5 miles southwest of Alpena and continue to farm. My Grandma Larson lives in Wessington Springs in the nursing home and I am also very fortunate to have a great grandma still living who is 91 years old, living on her own in Wessington Springs. I consider my family to be very fortunate to have five generations still living. I have one brother and sister. Cory is 31 years old and lives the farthest away in Shakopee, Minnesota which is about 300 miles away. He is a former banker and now is a race horse trainer. Lisa, who is 25, lives on an acreage about 5 miles north of Alpena and works in Woonsocket, South Dakota at Santel Communications. She recently became engaged to be married. I married my wife, Jennifer (Jen), Van Ginkel, who is a physical therapist at University Physical Therapy in Mitchell. In September, 2007, our son, and our pride and joy, Tregan Dean Jensen was born. Tregen is 17 months old and we are very blessed to have him in our lives. Being a dad is something that I'm very proud of and is the best job of all.
Being a person with a lot of energy, I find myself involved heavily in my community. I am currently a member of the Mitchell Lions Club and the current President. I am also a member of the Mitchell Area Optimist club and a past president and currently serve as the Board of Directors. I am a member of the Board of Directors for Life Quest, Dakota Counseling Institute, and the local chapter of the American Red Cross. Additionally, I serve as a volunteer for Junior Achievement, an Ambassador for Life Quest, and the Special Olympics. Lastly, I am a coach for a 5th grade girls' basketball traveling team.
Outside of work I enjoy spending time in athletics. In the winter I play basketball on a men's league; in the summer I am busy playing men's slow pitch; and in the fall I play men's flag football. I just competed my first year of officiating High School basketball games. When I am not playing sports, I usually run once a day and enjoy running 5K and 10K events with one of my goals of running a half marathon in 2009. Last Memorial Day, I ran the BoulderBoulder, a 10K in Boulder, Colorado. When I'm not doing this I enjoy play golf, watching high school, college and professional sporting events. Most importantly, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family.
I look forward to experiencing Australia through RotaryGroup Study Exchange. I know it will be a wonderful experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life and I am excited to learn about Australia and to share information about where I live.
