Lynn Kendall

Meet Lynn Kendall! I had the pleasure of sitting over a great cup of coffee and getting to know this amazing lady! Lynn has her own consulting business & she works with the South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority to connect military members and families to opportunities, events, and resources in our community. Lynn’s piece of advice would be this:  “To give others, and yourself, grace. Life is crazy! And if we remember to give a little understanding and compassion we lessen the burden of anxiety and pressure we put on ourselves and others.”

 

Q. Please tell us a little bit about your family. 

My husband and I met in Okinawa Japan. We were both stationed there in the Air Force. We just celebrated our 20 year anniversary! That still seems crazy to me. We have two children. Logan is going into his senior year at Stevens and Lilly will be starting 2nd grade.

Q. Please tell us about your current career. Thing you love most about what you do.

I recently made a pretty big career shift and opened my own consulting business. I am working with the South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority to connect military members and families to opportunities, events, and resources in our community. Check out The Black Hills Wire and see how we are welcoming military members to the area.

Q. What inspired you or led you to your current career?

As a veteran, I understand the importance of feeling welcome in a community for however long you live in it. Through the Ellsworth Development Authority, I’m able to work directly with base leadership and military families and help facilitate the support, as a community, that we can give them. This position allows me to help people by using my passion for community connections, advocacy, and engagement.

Q. What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?

My go-to’s tend to be Ichiban for sushi, Murphy’s for their steak salad, and Firehouse Winery for drinks.

Q. How long have you lived or worked in our community? 

I’ve lived in Rapid City since 2002. We came here from Korea and were stationed at Ellsworth AFB. We fell in love with the area and never left.

Q. Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?

This is a tough question. I can’t think of one person who tops them all. Over the course of my career, I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many amazing people. Each one has a unique experience and perspective. However, I will call out the impressive women in positions of leadership and influence in our community. Women making a difference in business, philanthropy, social services, banking, investments, education, legal, advocacy, government…the list goes on. There truly isn’t a sector of our community that isn’t being shaped by strong women with vision, drive, and passion.

Q. If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why? 

On a boat, in warm weather and blue waters.

Q. What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?

With two kids and two TV’s in the house, it’s rare that the adults get to pick the show. My son has been watching Arrow, which is strangely addicting, and my daughter is on a Sponge Bob kick. We all hope that ends very soon.

Q. What advice would you give to people?

To give others, and yourself, grace. Life is crazy! And if we remember to give a little understanding and compassion we lessen the burden of anxiety and pressure we put on ourselves and others.

Q. What is something on your bucket list?

I’d like to run for office one day. Civic engagement means a lot to me, whether it’s advocating for policy or campaigning for different people and issues. Communities are strengthened when citizens take part, even in small ways, with the civic process. So I hope one day to take that next step and run.

Q. What is your go to band when you cant decide what to listen to?

I’m always in the mood for Janis Joplin. Everything is better with a little Bobby McGee.

Q. What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?

When my husband and I first moved to Rapid City, we loved the Pirates Table. That was our date night spot. So it’s fun to go to Hanna now and enjoy the Japanese and Korean food and see how the unique decor has been adapted to a very different theme.

Q. If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you meet for this lunch? 

George W Bush. It would be interesting to hear his experience in leading the country during and after 9/11. We would probably go somewhere to get steak and a beer.

Q. What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community? 

The Black Hills is this really cool mix of growth and innovation, with a small town feel that makes it easy to plant roots and stay.

Q. Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?

Enjoying life, spending time with my family, working towards causes I believe in, and trying to impact others in a positive way.

Q. (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?

I’m pretty much an open book, so it’s not a secret, but something interesting is I recently became a bee keeper. What a blast! I highly recommend getting bees! Those little insects are fascinating, and so fun to watch. I thought I would be freaked out about getting stung but you get used to having them buzz around. It’s been great learning something new.

Q. What is the most beautiful place you have ever been? 

Alaska and the British Virgin Islands.

Q. If you were cast in a movie and could choose your costar, who would it be?

Depends on the type of movie. If we are talking a romance, then sign me up to work with Jason Momoa! If it’s a comedy, I’d bring all my girlfriends and we could tells stories of the day to day antics that happen when your trying to raise a family and be a professional without losing your sanity or drinking too much.

Q. Favorite month? holiday? and best single day on the calendar? 

“That’s a tough one. I’d have to say April 25th. Because it’s not too hot and not too cold. All you need is a light jacket.” Miss Congeniality

Q. What would you rate a 10 out of 10? 

Family time and laughs with friends.

Q. Who inspires you to be better? 

My husband

Q. What is one or two of your favorite smells?

I love the fresh air and forest smells of the Hills.

Q. If a movie was made of your life, who would you want to play you? 

Melissa MCCarthy. She is hilarious and would make the movie much more entertaining!

Q. Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME? 

Family, friends, love

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