My name is Daryl Englund, a 50-plus year resident in Brookings, an alumnus of SDSU, and former CEO and President at Banner Associates, as well as someone who has served on several prominent boards and committees within our community, and I’m writing to give my sincere endorsement to Al Austreim for Brookings City Council.

Al Austreim is dedicated to community engagement, the heart of effective and thoughtful governance. Throughout my tenure on various boards and committees, including the Brookings Health System’s Board of Trustees, the Dean’s Advisory Council for SDSU’s College of Engineering, and as Chairman of the Brookings Traffic Safety Committee, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of community collaboration. Al has many experiences bringing stakeholders together and collaborating with different voices to accomplish goals through his experience as a successful small business owner, and I know he will be able to help the citizens of Brookings on the council.

Al’s commitment to public collaboration will be effective because he knows this community. He’s a family man, business owner, and engaged in Brookings, so I’m confident he will have the connections and ability to make more relationships to efficiently work for us. After meeting with him consistently, I know he’s committed to public safety, infrastructure needs, good workforce development, and listening to you.

Now, more than ever, we need leaders who understand the importance of inclusive governance and are committed to amplifying the voices of all community members. Al Austreim embodies these principles. Together, let us elect a leader who will prioritize community engagement, foster collaboration, and ensure that the voices of all residents are heard and respected. You can vote now until April 8 at the Brookings City/County Building from 8:00 am-5:00 pm or on Election Day, April 9.