Administration

As the heart of governance and community leadership, the City of Box Elder Administration is dedicated to serving the needs of our residents and fostering a city that thrives on collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity. Our administrative team is committed to transparent and open communication, ensuring that you have access to the information you need about city policies, initiatives, and services. Here, you'll find resources that provide insights into the workings of our city government, updates on ongoing projects, and opportunities for community involvement. The City of Box Elder is proud of its rich heritage and the vibrant community that makes it a special place to live, work, and play. Our administration works diligently to address the needs of our residents and businesses while planning for the future growth and sustainability of our city. Feel free to explore the various sections of this page to learn more about our administrative team, city ordinances, public meetings, and other essential services. We encourage you to get involved, attend community events, and share your feedback as we work together to make Box Elder an even better place to call home.

Nicole Schneider
City Administrator and Chief Finance Officer

As the City Administrator and CFO, Nicole leads Box Elder’s executive team and holds overall responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the city. With more than 30 years of public service and 18 years in executive-level management, Nicole brings the critical depth of experience required to manage one of South Dakota’s fastest growing communities in an administratively precise, financially responsible, publicly accountable, and customer-centered way. Nicole’s professional credentials include a master’s degree in public administration with an emphasis in administrative law, bachelor’s degrees in Accounting and Political Science – Pre-Law, and advanced professional certificates in taxes and levies, program management, and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

Jason Dubbs
Program Manager

A Rapid City native, Jason brings a lifetime of community connectedness and understanding to Box Elder. Jason began his career with the City of Box Elder as a volunteer police officer and ultimately retired from law enforcement at the end of 2024 as the City’s Police Chief. Jason continues his service to the City as a program manager. With considerable knowledge of the City and its administration, Jason delivers support to the City’s departments and their staff.

Sean Overeynder
Director of Economic & Community Development

Sean Overeynder holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and has dedicated the past decade to advancing economic development initiatives. With a focus on retail recruitment, job creation, and placemaking, he has successfully contributed to enhancing the quality of life in various communities. His expertise lies in fostering collaborative partnerships and implementing strategic initiatives that drive sustainable growth and vitality in urban environments. Passionate about creating vibrant, inclusive spaces, Sean continues to advocate for innovative solutions that uplift local economies and improve community well-being.

Robert Connell
Police Chief

Doug Curry
Director of Public Works

With more than 20 years of diverse experience in governmental operations management, Doug leads Box Elder's largest division and its most visible services. As Public Works Director, he is responsible for each street, park, water, and sewer line, as well as the day to day and long-term maintenance thereof. Doug is a native of Southern California, veteran of the US Airforce twice stationed at Ellsworth AFB, former Deputy Airport Director for the Rapid City Regional Airport, and now calls Box Elder home.

Scott Lange
City Engineer

A highly experienced civil engineer, Scott joins the City of Box Elder with more than 30 years in the engineering business.  With passion for client service, he has led many public and private projects over the course of his career as an engineering consultant.  His duties included serving client cities as their city engineer as well as managing large multi-disciplined rail served industrial projects.  Scott leads the City’s efforts to build enduring and sustainable public infrastructure.  Scott is a graduate of North Dakota State University and started his career as a Civil Engineer Corps Officer in the United States Navy.

Lauralee Patton
Planning & Zoning Director

Lauralee is a native of Wyoming and brings over a decade of dedicated experience in management to her role as the Planning & Zoning Director. She is responsible for guiding and overseeing a range of critical functions that shape the future of Box Elder. Her responsibilities include long-range and current planning initiatives, overseeing building services, and ensuring effective code enforcement. Under her leadership, Box Elder's planning and zoning efforts are characterized by a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and the preservation of the community's unique character. Lauralee's professional credentials include Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) designation, American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), and certification as a Building Inspector. She holds a bachelor's degree in Geography, which has equipped her with a strong foundation in understanding the intricacies of urban planning and development. Her passion for enhancing the quality of life for the community's residents and her unwavering commitment to exceptional customer service are the cornerstones of her professional journey.

Renee Baker
Assistant Finance Officer

Renee Baker joins the City of Box Elder with nearly a decade of local government experience and expertise in Finance and Human Resources. A Black Hills native, Renee holds a degree in Business Administration, is a Certified Compensation Analyst, and is a certified professional with the Public Sector HR Association. She brings a strong background in budgeting and financial management. As the Assistant Finance Officer, Renee supports the city's day-to-day financial operations, including budgeting and compliance, while ensuring financial transparency and efficiency.

Darcie Castleberry
Human Resource Director

As a certified Human Resources professional, Darcie has over 30 years of experience in human resources, business management and accounting. She holds a Master of Business Administration and has successfully created Human Resource departments in various industries from the grassroots level. Her passion lies in encouraging a team culture and a thriving environment while ensuring her work lines up with the organization’s mission, vision and values. One of her favorite mottos she takes to heart is ‘hire hard and manage easy’. As the Human Resources Director, Darcie is dedicated to bringing professionalism, integrity and excellent customer service to the City of Box Elder through the Human Resources department. Darcie has experienced life in various areas of the United States, and she is blessed to be part of the Box Elder community.

Rob Timm
Grant Writer/Administrator

Rob comes to the City of Box Elder with nearly 30 years of non-profit and governmental leadership experience.  He has held senior positions in the healthcare, state and federal government fields along with several volunteer non-profit board of directors.  A graduate of South Dakota State University with a degree in Political Science as well as a graduate of the University of Nebraska’s Non-Profit Management Institute and the Grantsmanship Center, Rob provides expertise in grant writing, contract management, research and administration for all City of Box Elder departments.  A life-long South Dakota native, Rob is a decorated veteran of the South Dakota Army National Guard.