President

Tracy recently retired from a 30-year career in computer science. Tracy began her career teaching middle- and high-school math and coaching in Gettysburg and Custer, SD. From there, she moved to Minnesota with her family and worked in data management and IT for Federated Insurance Company. She returned to Custer in 2022 where she tutored math throughout Custer School District.

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The Custer Community remembers her husband, Stacey, also a Custer educator, who passed away in 2023 following a well-fought battle against brain cancer. Their three sons Austin, Chandler, and Logan live across South Dakota and Minnesota.

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Tracy now lives in Rapid City where she volunteers with Monument Hospice and Young Life organizations.  As President of CYAF, Tracy looks forward to expanding the support of CYAF by reaching Custer alumni across the U.S. and beyond to make a greater impact for Custer County students.  

Vice President

Misty has been the owner of Misty’s Cuts & Curls since 2001 and has turned her passion for cosmetology into a Custer Main Street staple.

In addition to her work as the CYAF Vice President, she is involved in a number of Custer organizations to include serving on the Board of the First Interstate Area Fund Board. Misty is married to Josh Fish (CHS ’96) and is mom of Destinee (CHS ’16) and Dustyn (CHS ’21), also Custer High alums. Misty and Josh are proud grandparents to three grandsons.

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Misty and her husband enjoy visiting their children and grandsons, taking trips to warmer climates during the winter, and spending summers camping and riding UTV while appreciating the beautiful place we are proud to call home.

Secretary

Finny is a retired registered nurse, having first studied at South Dakota State University and then earning her license through St. John’s McNamara College in Rapid City. She worked as a nurse primarily in Eastern South Dakota and returned to Rapid City in 2003. She earned her bachelor’s degree in 2006 from the University of Phoenix before finally retiring in 2017. In addition to serving as the CYAF secretary, Finny is active in a number of other community organizations and volunteers her time at her church, the Custer County Historical Society and 1881 Courthouse Museum, and the Custer Storehouse. She enjoys gatherings with her former classmates.

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Finny’s son Jamison lives in Custer but frequently travels for work. Her daughter Marisa and husband Pete live in Medford, Oregon with their two children, Sam Elliot and Ruby Luna. We congratulate Finny on her recent engagement to Ernie Medina and look forward to the happy wedding celebrations in 2027.

Treasurer

Jenny is the accounting manager at NAPA Auto Parts – French Creek Supply in Custer, a long-time family business. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with dual minors in Finance and Management Information Systems from Chadron State College in Nebraska.

In addition to being the Treasurer for CYAF, Jenny also volunteers with the Custer Wrestling Program.

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Jenny is married to Jody Woodward (CHS ’95) and together, they have three kids, Landon (CHS ’23), Hailey (CHS ’26) and Myles, who is set to graduate from CHS in 2028. We are excited to have Jenny’s support for our students, teachers, and community!

Director

Amy serves as probation officer with the South Dakota Unified Judicial System. She graduated from Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Human Services with an emphasis in Probation and Community Services. She began her career with the South Dakota Department of Corrections as a youth counselor at STAR Academy in Custer. Following that, she served as a Juvenile Corrections Agent and then an Adult Parole Officer with the State Department of Corrections before her current position. She has over 21 years in the South Dakota criminal justice system.

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Amy and her husband, Tom, have made their home in Custer. Their older children, Remington (CHS ’23) and Rachel (CHS ’24) currently attend college. Their youngest son Russel is in Custer Elementary. According to Amy, “Custer is small town living at its best!”

Director

Susan teaches Junior Kindergarten at Custer Elementary. Originally from Hermosa, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Physical Education with a minor in Special Education from Chadron State College. After college, she lived in eastern Colorado where she taught Kindergarten, 1st , and 2nd grades, and coached volleyball and girls' basketball. From there, her family moved to Edgemont where she worked online for the Colorado school districts, then as a preschool teacher at the Edgemont Children's Center before finally becoming a teacher and coach in the Edgemont School District. She worked in the Edgemont Schools for over 15 years. Following that, Susan taught kindergarten in Piedmont for a year and came home to teach in Custer in 2025.

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Susan is married to Lane Ostensen (CHS ’93) and they have two daughters. Their daughter Jenna serves as a nurse in the US Navy at Portsmouth, Virginia. Their daughter Peyton graduated from William & Mary in Virginia and is continuing her education at Mount Marty College. Susan joins her sister and niece, who are also teachers within the Custer School District.

Director

Kara teaches 2nd grade at Custer Elementary School. A life-long Custer resident, she received her teaching degree from Black Hills State University in Spearfish in 2007. She began her teaching career in Rapid City while commuting from Custer. She started teaching in the Custer School District in 2009 and has taught a range of elementary classes to include 4th-, 5th-, and now 2nd-grade. In addition to her elementary classes, she also assists with coaching middle school track.

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Kara is married to Jeff Bradeen. Their two kids, Owen and Molly both attend Custer schools and Kara enjoys cheering them on in their activities. She also enjoys spending time with her family hiking, fishing, or relaxing. She is proud of the work Custer Elementary School does and Custer youth hold a special place in her heart. 

Director

A long-time Custer business and civic leader, Heath leads the South Dakota Division of 21 Electric, a regional electrical company that covers Western South Dakota and Wyoming. After high school, he earned his electrical license through an apprenticeship program and owned his own business before becoming an electrical supervisor at the NARM Coal Mine in Wyoming. He began with 21 Electric in 2021, helping the company expand from 15 to 70 regional employees. In addition to being involved with the Custer Chamber of Commerce, Heath also serves on the Custer District School Board. With his family, he also manages Reindl Ranch which supplies locally-grown beef to Custer-area residents.

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Heath is married to Kristy, who is a special education teacher in the Custer School system. Together, they have two children, Tatum and Quinn, both students in the Custer school system. Heath’s son Cole is following in his dad’s footsteps at 21 Electric and his daughter Caysee is pursuing cosmetology in Omaha, Nebraska.

Director

Erica is in the Air Force Reserve currently assigned to Headquarters Air Force at the Pentagon. Before moving back to Custer in 2024, she served as a Foreign Affairs Officer with the U.S. Department of State, in Washington, DC for 14 years. Erica received her undergraduate degree in Economics and International Business from Creighton University in Omaha. She also has a Masters in Business Administration from Oklahoma City University, and a second Masters degree in Applied Economics from Johns Hopkins University. She is an Operation Enduring Freedom veteran, with multiple Meritorious and Commendation Medals for service and four Air Medals for combat.

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In 2006, Erica worked with the Custer Youth and Alumni Foundation to establish the Class of 1995 Scholarship. She currently lives on her family’s ranch on Argyle Road where she spends her days herding cats and chickens.