Recently the South Dakota Center for Enterprise Opportunity (SD CEO) at Black Hills State University announced the winners of the Women in Business awards during the “Celebrating Women in Business” luncheon held at the Spearfish Holiday Inn. (Kari is 4th from left)
The statewide awards program was designed to highlight the impact of outstanding women entrepreneurs across the state. Winners for the four award categories were: Kari Karst, owner and president of BX Civil & Construction, Inc., in Dell Rapids, for the Enterprising Business Woman award; Janie Hett, owner of Peak Motion Physical Therapy in Spearfish, for the Enterprising Young Entrepreneur award; State Farm Insurance-Coreen Lerwick Agency in Spearfish, for the Enterprising Business Team award; Sheryl Eisenbraun, senior vice president , Pioneer Bank & Trust in Sturgis; and Jane Swenson, senior vice president, Reliabank Dakota in Watertown, who shared the award for the Enterprising Friend of Small Business .
“What an honor it is to recognize these outstanding women who truly have made an incredible impact in the business world,” said Helen Merriman, director of the SD CEO. “South Dakota can be very proud of all of its women-owned businesses as we congratulate these winners whose actions exemplify the extraordinary effort, dedication and savvy business skills it requires to start, grow, and sustain successful businesses throughout South Dakota.”
The winner of the Enterprising Business Woman award was Kari Karst, owner and president of BX Civil & Construction, Inc., Dell Rapids. This dynamic business woman has achieved substantial success in her business and community, and has demonstrated outstanding skill, commitment, and accomplishment while successfully navigating obstacles in addition to influencing, mentoring, and encouraging others. Karst bought Buskerud Construction in 1992, which recently changed its name to BX Civil & Construction, Inc. BX Civil & Construction, Inc., has worked on South Dakota Department of Transportation projects covering the entire state of South Dakota, along with Corps of Engineer projects, and numerous city and county projects. They are a certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) contractor in Minnesota and South Dakota. Karst is actively involved in and works for the betterment of her industry. In 2004, she became the first female president of the Associated General Contractors (AGC) Highway Chapter in South Dakota. She has also served on the AGC of South Dakota Board, the National AGC and various committees in South Dakota. Karst is highly respected as a woman in business in a traditionally male dominated industry.
To learn more about the SD CEO, visit www.BHSU.edu/SDCEO. http://rapidcityjournal.com.