Staff

Paul Mehlhaff is the Project Administrator and Assistant Director for Central South Dakota Enhancement District. He brings a wealth of experience in fiscal management of federal programs to the CSDED office. Paul previously worked in the Governor’s Office of Economic Development under the Daugaard administration. He held the position of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Manager for 7 years. While at GOED, Paul also worked with the SD Arts Council as their grant administrator. He was the fiscal accountant for the State Energy Program, and managed the Ethanol Infrastructure program for the State of South Dakota. 

Paul hails from Eureka, South Dakota and attended the University of South Dakota in Vermillion after graduation. In his spare time, Paul enjoys spending time with his family, riding motorcycles in the Black Hills, playing golf, bowling, or getting out on the Missouri River to wet a line now and then. 

Malinda Hetzel comes to our office out of Spearfish where she worked as a Youth Ministry Director and a store manager. Malinda considers herself to be a lifelong learner and loves a good book, learning about various projects and tackling new challenges. In her spare time you can find Malinda on a Pickleball court, hanging out with her nieces and nephews, learning a new craft or leading the youth group at her church. Malinda grew up on a farm in northwest Wyoming before beginning her education and travels. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree from the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota. From there she has seen many parts of the America’s. Malinda hopes to continue checking places to visit off her bucket list. Malinda is our Office Manager, Governor’s House Sales Representative, and North Central Regional Foods Technical Advisor. She enjoys the challenge these roles bring and the joy of assisting others achieve their goals.