PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — Mark Mickelsen is taking over as executive director of the South Dakota Education Association.

Mickelsen worked for the group in an interim capacity in the last year. He manages a staff of 15 employees with offices in Pierre, Rapid City and Sioux Falls.

Prior to joining SDEA in July 2014, Mickelsen served as executive director of the Utah Education Association. He was that group's communications director for 12 years before taking over the leadership role in 2008.

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