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The Question and Answer feature helps readers learn more about prominent people in the business community. This issue's Q&A profiles W. Tim Kromminga, president of Avera McKennan Foundation.
 W. Tim Kromminga is president of Avera McKennan Foundation. (Inertia/for SFBJ)
Name: W. Tim Kromminga
Title: President, Avera McKennan Foundation
Hometown: Sioux Falls
Age: 52
Background: Graduated from Washington High School; bachelor’s degree in commercial economics and psychology at South Dakota State University, MBA from University of South Dakota; worked in banking for nearly 30 years at Home Federal Bank and U.S. Bank; joined the foundation seven months ago
Family: Wife, Kori; daughter Kate, a senior nursing student at Morningside College; son Tom, a special-needs child who lives at home and works at South Dakota Achieve; and daughter Mary, a sixth-grader at Sioux Falls Christian School
Q: Tell me about your interests and hobbies.
A: “I like to hunt, fish and golf, and camping with the family as well. I enjoy going out to the Black Hills. I’ve spent quite a bit of time camping along the river at Chamberlain. ... Six months from today my hunting buddy and I are headed to Canada to bow hunt for black bear.”
Q: How did you become interested in your field?
A: “Once I was aware of the opportunity that was available at Avera McKennan Foundation, I had discussions with Fred (Slunecka, Avera McKennan regional president) and other individuals. It really came down to focusing on how you can make a difference and trying to raise some money to help those in need and maybe expand some of our facilities.”
Q: What do you enjoy most about your work?
A: “People. It’s always about people. I enjoy meeting with them and talking with them about their interests. And the staff we have here.”
Q: What sparked your commitment to service?
A: “That was just something I always wanted to be, in a position to assist people with whatever it might be. It used to be banking. Now, it’s opportunities to give. It comes back to how can you help people.”
Q: How do you find time to balance your job and your family?
A: “You’ve got to prioritize and organize your day so you can spend time. I’m up early. That’s when I get my exercise and reading time. The rest of the day I’m involved with work, with family and other commitments. You need to listen. I have to listen to my kids. There are times when they’ve told me, not very obviously, you need to spend time here. You need to listen to that and then re-establish your priorities.”
Q: Do you have a favorite childhood memory?
A: “I really enjoy those opportunities I got to spend with my grandparents on the farm, maybe even a week at a time. I liked helping Grandpa with the chores and just playing outside.”
Q: What’s your given first name? Is there an interesting story behind why you don’t use it?
A: “It’s William. My father is William and my grandfather is William. I have an uncle and a cousin on my mother’s side that are Williams. They all lived in the immediate Chancellor area. There were times when we were all together and you called out “Bill” and five was too many. Since I was the youngest one I was Tim.”
Q: What’s your favorite getaway?
A: “A tree stand while bow hunting. It’s the solitude and the nature and the peacefulness. Then you have the opportunity to see wildlife and get a shot. You can’t believe how loud a leaf can be falling out of a tree.”
Q: What kind of music is in your car or what do you listen to on the radio?
A: “I’m not really big on music. I’m a public radio nut. If they don’t have a talk show or news, I’ll listen to classical. Finding out what’s going on in the nation and internationally, I really enjoy that. ‘Car Talk’ is great.”
Q: If you could have dinner with two or three people, alive or dead, who would you choose and why?
A: “I would like to have dinner with Christ. That would be a profound experience. Warren Buffet, I would love to get his thoughts on the current economic situation. I’m not going to say crisis, but the mortgage situation, the weak dollar, the bond market. I’d like to hear his perspective on where it’s going. I was at a leadership conference two years ago and Bono of U2 wasn’t there live but it was either a video or taped. I wasn’t looking forward to that. Why would I have anything to do with a rock star? I have a different perception of what that lifestyle is like; I don’t agree with it. But he opened my eyes. He was focused on what was going on in Africa. l would love to sit down with him and broaden my horizons. That puts me outside my box.”
Q: What do you think are the best and worst things about Sioux Falls?
A: “This is a great community, very engaged, great leadership. The vibrancy of the economy is just outstanding. We see other parts of the country struggle, and we’re fortunate not to have those issues. I like how welcoming the community is from the business perspective. We’re reaching out to new business leaders, the people moving to town, and taking advantage of their backgrounds. I know there are weaknesses. We always have challenges. We always need to make sure we’re moving forward. That’s not a weakness, just a concern. We just need to continue to move forward.”
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