With headquarters across the street from the South Dakota Capitol, the South Dakota Retailers Association keeps a close eye on legislative and regulatory affairs on behalf of our members, both during the Legislative Session (January through March), and throughout the year.

SDRA has four experienced staff members watching out for retail interests at the Capitol:

Shawn Lyons is SDRA’s Executive Director and Chief Lobbyist. Shawn has been with the Retailers Association since 2005. He also has previous lobbying experience on behalf of development organizations and county governments.

Ron Olinger has been lobbying on behalf of SDRA since 1991. Ron is the senior partner in a Pierre law firm, and brings more than three decades of lobbying experience to work for the retailers of South Dakota.

Jim Hood has been a member of SDRA’s lobbying team since 1998. Jim is an attorney from Spearfish. As a former state legislator and Speaker of the House, Jim brings a wide range of valuable experience and knowledge to the job.

Donna Leslie is SDRA’s Communications Director. She has been monitoring committee and floor action for SDRA, as well as producing the Association’s weekly Legislative Bulletins, since 1988.

Melisa Forest is the newest member of the SDRA Legislative Team. She joined the SDRA staff in June of 2011, bringing with her some great legislative experience, knowledge and insight, having worked as an intern for the South Dakota Senate.  Melisa is SDRA's Executive and Legislative Assistant.