PRESS RELEASE
Randy Reinke completes nine years on Southwest Initiative Foundation Board of Directors
Local grant to the Litchfield Area Community Foundation Waterpark Fund designated in his honor
LITCHFIELD, Minn.— Randy Reinke is retiring from the Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF) Board of Directors following nine years of service. Reinke has provided regional leadership on SWIF’s board since July 2014, including as board chair from 2019 to 2021. As a second-generation business owner and CEO of Custom Products of Litchfield, Reinke brought forward insights and experiences that helped strengthen relationships across all sectors in support of SWIF’s mission.
“Southwest Initiative Foundation has a tremendous reach across the region it serves. It really is a major social and economic engine in this broad rural area. From early childhood development to serving an aging population, the programs are designed to serve so many people and help improve their quality of life. It’s been an honor to play even a small part in that,” Reinke said.
The SWIF Board of Directors is a governing board that ensures the organization fulfills its mission of connecting people, investing in ideas and building communities in southwest Minnesota. This volunteer board sets strategy, manages resources and promotes the foundation’s work. There are meetings every other month and, in a typical year, many miles covered visiting different communities in the region, which includes 18 counties and two Native nations that share this geography.
Together with fellow board members, Reinke led the organization through two president/CEO leadership transitions and the COVID-19 pandemic. During his service, SWIF celebrated its 1,000th loan since inception, the community foundation program’s 20th anniversary, the launch of several new programs—from Welcoming Week to Employer Resource Network®—reaching total assets of $100 million, and more.
“Randy has been a very engaged member of our board,” said SWIF President Scott Marquardt. “He has left a lasting mark through his work on many of our board committees and task forces, including eight years on the investment committee where we are excited he will continue to serve as a member-at-large. In addition to his business sense, Randy’s personable and professional approach, deep thinking and well-timed humor have been appreciated by his foundation colleagues.”
Reinke has been a champion and supporter for his local foundation partners, including the Litchfield Area Community Foundation (LACF)—one of SWIF’s 31 local affiliates—where he served as a charter volunteer board member. He’s also been a strong supporter of the Litchfield School Foundation and the southwest Minnesota region.
In honor of his board service, Reinke is directing a $900 grant to the Litchfield Area Community Foundation’s Waterpark Fund.
“Litchfield is my hometown, and I see the need for our residents, young to old, to have a place for recreation, to learn to swim and share in community activities. I hope to draw some attention to the need for community support to reach this goal,” Reinke said.
“I’ve known Randy since high school, as we graduated together. I have appreciated his service to the Litchfield community through the years in many ways. And our local foundation thanks him for his service with SWIF and for his donation to the LACF Waterpark Fund. His leadership and example have served him and his community well,” said Gordon Pennertz, board chair of LACF.
In addition to Reinke, Teresa Peterson of the Upper Sioux Community is retiring from our board this year following more than six years of service. Current board members are chair Christie Hantge, Hutchinson; vice chair Dan Greve, Worthington; secretary Terry Gaalswyk, Worthington; past chair Patricia Dols, Willmar; Tom Brakke, Deephaven; Abdirizak Mahboub, Willmar; Erica Volkir, Pipestone; Kathy Wehking, Hector; and Theresa Zaske, Balaton. Read more about our current board members
