Two State Department Secretaries to Retire

Governor Dennis Daugaard says two Cabinet secretaries are planning to retire.

Daugaard says Health Secretary Doneen Hollingsworth will retire, effective December 12, and Game, Fish and Parks Secretary Jeff Vonk will step down January 8th.

Hollingsworth has headed the Health Department in the administrations of three governors since she took over in 1995, and is one of the longest-serving cabinet secretaries in state history.

Vonk has headed GF&P since 2007.

The Governor's Office says a new Health secretary will be named before the end of the year, and the new GF&P secretary will be named before Vonk leaves.

Daugaard says the two retirements are the only ones expected as he begins his second term.