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Dr. Aelred J. Kurtenbach is cofounder of Daktronics, Inc. and recently retired after 45 years as chairman of its Board of Directors. He was born in Dimock, S.D., and attended school in Dimock and Parkston, S.D. He spent five years in the U.S. Air Force, including assignments in Japan, South Korea, and Texas. Dr. Kurtenbach has B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees, all in electrical engineering from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, the University of Nebraska, and Purdue University. He has received honorary doctorates from SDSM&T, South Dakota State University, and Purdue. He taught electrical engineering at SDSU and Purdue University. While on the staff at SDSU, he cofounded Daktronics, Inc. in 1968.

Daktronics designs, manufactures, markets, and supports large dynamic display systems, scoreboards, and large screen video systems on a global basis. The company currently employs approximately 2,500 people, including 250 college students who have internships or work part-time.

Dr. Kurtenbach is married and has five children. He and his wife Irene live in the Sioux River Valley south of Brookings, where he is a conservationist and develops wildlife habitat. He served on the Brookings School Board for twelve years, on the South Dakota Board of Regents from 1984-1986, and in the State Senate for the 2004 session. He served on the Education Committee for the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce & Industry, as Chair of the South Dakota State Junior Achievement Program, and as Chair of the South Dakota EPSCoR Committee. He continues to serve on many boards to this day.