Mike Rounds

South Dakota's 31st Governor

Biography
South Dakota’s thirty-first Governor was born October 24, 1954 in Huron to Don and Joyce (Reinartz) Rounds.  Don was a teacher and coach in Yale where the young family made its home. The family moved to Hitchcock and after sister Michele and brother Dennis were born, they moved to Pierre where Don took a job under Governor Joe Foss as the Director of Highway Safety.

Over the years, eight more brothers were born and all 11 of the Rounds children attended St. Joseph’s school, Pierre Junior High and Riggs High School.  All eventually obtained at least 1 degree from a South Dakota college or university.

As a youngster, he had proclaimed he wanted to be either a farmer or a pilot. His great uncle, John Kauth, influenced Mike’s earliest years.  The quiet man with a big heart allowed his “little buddy” to help with chores around the farm. Mike liked it so well he crept outside one day and took a solo tractor ride when he was just four years old.

From the time he was fourteen years old, Mike’s real love was flying. He was an active member of the Pierre Civil Air Patrol and received his pilot’s license when he was 17.  He was also the recipient of the prestigious Amelia Earhart Award in 1973.  Today, Mike remains a licensed private pilot with multi-engine and instrument ratings.  In fact, in much of his gubernatorial travels, the Governor himself serves as one of the two pilots required to be on board the aircraft.

In addition to being a National Merit Semifinalist, Mike played Teener Baseball and was also on the Riggs High track and cross country teams.  His high school summers were spent working as a fry cook at the Embers Drive-In.  He also was a press assistant at the Pierre Capital Journal, mowed lawns, shoveled snow, and delivered papers for extra income. 

Mike attended SDSU majoring in Political Science. He earned his own way through college working for the Campus Police and had his own bonding business. 

SDSU was good to Mike.  Not only did he receive his Bachelor of Science degree in 1977, but it was there that he met Jean Vedvei, a Lake Preston native who was also an SDSU graduate.  Mike and Jean were married in Lake Preston in April 1978 and made their home in Pierre.

After a summer as a “ranch hand”, Mike accepted a position with Pierre Insurance, which employed three people.  Mike’s success in the insurance business led to a position with the Erickson & Thorpe Agency, and a short time later, he and Karl Fischer purchased its stockholders’ interests.  With the addition of other partners in 1986, the agency was renamed Fischer, Rounds & Associates, Inc.  Today their company employs more than seventy-five people in 4 South Dakota communities.

During this time Jean was working for the State Planning Bureau.  Their first son, Christopher, was born in 1980.  Brian – known to most as “Beeper” - was born in 1983, followed by Carrie (1984) and John (1988).

In May 1987, Mike’s mom, Joyce, died of breast cancer.  For three years she fought hard – bolstered by all the love and encouragement the large family could muster. It was a tough time for Mike and Jean and the entire Rounds family, but that same love and encouragement helped them all to cope with their loss.

In 1988, Mike’s dad married Rosemary Scarborough.  Rosemary’s husband, Marlin, had passed away just one month after Joyce died.  Rosemary and her children, Michelle, Marc and Ryan brought a very special dimension to the family and the Roundses and Scarboroughs blended well.

Mike’s first step in the political arena was in 1990 when he ran against a democrat incumbent for the State Senate seat from District 24.  With the help of his dad, sister and other family members, Mike won that election and was re-elected four more times before being “taken out” by term-limits in 2000. Mike’s ability to work well with other legislators earned him a leadership position in his second term in the State Senate.  The next term, he was elected Senate Majority Leader and held that position for six years.

When Mike announced his bid for Governor in late 2001, he was under funded and facing two strong primary competitors.  The Rounds / Scarborough families stepped up.  Mike’s youngest brother, Jamie, returned to Pierre from Rome, Italy and his sister Michele took a leave of absence from her job in Richland, WA to volunteer on the campaign.  Jean took care of the finances.  His children all helped and oldest son Chris joined his Grandpa Don in taking charge of sign distribution.  Rosemary helped in every conceivable manner. Mike’s brothers, brother and sisters-in-law, step-siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles were joined by friends from all over the state to create a true grassroots campaign. 

Mike earned a decisive primary election victory and through the general election campaign, his family continued their strong support.  That dedication, along with a host of state-wide volunteers, catapulted Mike to victory.  Again, the family remained an integral part of the move into the capital.  Don and youngest brother Jamie worked tirelessly to facilitate Mike’s transition into the Governor’s office.  

Mike has always been active in the Pierre community.  He served as Board President of the Oahe YMCA, Vice President of the Home and School Association of St. Joseph School, President of the Pierre-Ft. Pierre Exchange Club and Exalted Ruler of the Pierre Elks Lodge.  He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and Ducks Unlimited.  He and Jean are members of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church.

Mike enjoys flying, hunting, racquetball, camping, boating, and spending time with his family. Mike and Jean spend most of their free time in the summer camping on Lake Oahe.  Their children grew up camping, waterskiing, wakeboarding and enjoying the wonderful South Dakota summers.  Mike and his sons are also avid hunters – mostly of birds, but make an annual trip to western South Dakota to deer hunt together.

Family will again play a big role in Mike’s bid for re-election.  South Dakotans can expect to see Jean, Chris, Brian, Carrie & John, Mike’s sister Michele, his brothers, nieces & nephews, in-laws and cousins, along with his dad, Don and wife Rosemary at various campaign events this year.

More Background and Family