Faces in the Crowd: Dan Senftner

RAPID CITY, S.D. — You’ll recognize him by his signature, smiling face.

Dan says, “I’ve been called “Downtown Dan” many times, that is not unusual.”

Dan began working downtown Rapid City at the age of 19. He’s witnessed many changes happen to the area over the years and wanted to get the downtown area stable, which led him to his position now and getting the Main Street Square established.

Dan Senftner, Retiring President & CEO Destination Rapid City, Main Street Square, says, “I purchased more downtown properties at the time, and then I went to work for Mr. Ray Hillenbrand with the idea of forming Main Street Square. The vision was something family friendly, something for kids, something for everyone in the community and the visitor, that was the whole goal to start with.”

He spearheaded the Downtown Business Improvement District along with the Downtown Clean Team in 2010 as well. His passion never wavered.

“Personalization is a big thing for downtown Rapid City – the small coffee shops, the breweries, the restaurants, the bookstores, all the things that we want to stroll by and shop in or stop in – that is what was in my heart. Getting that back because I saw that when I was 19, 20 years old and I watched all that and then I saw it go away so what was the goal to bring it back…how are we going to do it,” adds Senftner.

And after 14 years at Destination Rapid City, he is wrapping up his work – but not his passion.

Senftner says, “I see a growth pattern – I’m looking at it coming back – so what a gift to see this thing moving forward and coming back, storefronts start filling up again – that is what the inspiration is, that is what we are moving forward to.”

Dan was a key leader instrumental in the Memorial Park Promenade and Legacy Commons Playground.

Domico Rodriguez will be taking over Senftner’s position as President and CEO of Destination Rapid City, Main Street Square.

Senftner will be honored with an afternoon of appreciation on Tuesday, June 22 at Main Street Square. The community is invited to this meet and greet from 4 to 5:30 p.m.