{"id":694,"date":"2023-01-18T20:12:58","date_gmt":"2023-01-18T20:12:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wdcsd.wpenginepowered.com\/?page_id=694"},"modified":"2026-02-04T19:51:10","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T19:51:10","slug":"staff","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wdcsd.com\/staged\/about\/staff\/","title":{"rendered":"WDC Staff"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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CHRIS Clifton<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Contact Chris Clifton<\/h4>\n

Phone: 605-884-0340
Cell:605-880-6784<\/a>
Email:\u00a0cclifton@wdcsd.com<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Executive Director<\/h3>\n

Clifton brings over 35 years of economic development\u00a0experience to the Watertown Development Company. Throughout his tenure, he as has facilitated numerous economic development projects such as site selection and development of new industrial land, facilitation of tenant\/landlord real estate transactions in over 41 states, and the management of several non-profit fundraising campaigns \u2013 each of which raised over $22MM.<\/p>\n

In this position, he leads the economic development organization and implements programs that facilitate the creation of jobs, quality housing, and economic growth throughout Watertown in accordance with the Watertown Development Company\u2019s mission and strategic plan.<\/p>\n

Chris is a Certified Economic Developer (CED), graduate of the\u00a0US Chamber Institute of Organizational Management<\/a>\u00a0(IOM), and is a member of the\u00a0Alpha Gamma Rho National Fraternity<\/a>\u00a0(AGR),\u00a0Society of Industrial Office Realtors<\/a>\u00a0(SIOR),\u00a0Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals<\/a>\u00a0(CSCMP),\u00a0Urban Land Institute<\/a>\u00a0(ULI), and the\u00a0Southern Economic Development Council<\/a>\u00a0(SEDC).<\/p>\n

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Sarah giang<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Contact Sarah Giang<\/h4>\n

Phone: 605-884-0340
Cell:605-657-2232<\/a>
Email:\u00a0sgiang@wdcsd.com<\/a><\/p>\n

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Investor Relations Manager<\/h3>\n

Sarah Giang\u00a0joined the Watertown Development Company in 2024 to lead investor relations and HR functions for the organization. She plays a key role in coordinating communications and engagement efforts for the Grow Watertown 2.0 initiative and in strengthening connections with stakeholders across the region.<\/p>\n

With over 14 years of customer service experience and 7 years in human resources, Sarah has supported organizations with 200+ employees in the retail, manufacturing, and financial sectors. Her background equips her with strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills. She specializes in building lasting relationships, aligning internal operations with strategic goals, and enhancing the investor and client experience at WDC.<\/p>\n

A Watertown native, Sarah is a graduate of Watertown High School and earned her Associate of Applied Science degree from Lake Area Technical College in 2010. She is passionate about community-driven growth and helping connect people, purpose, and progress.<\/p>\n

\u201cShared values and a collaborative spirit are the foundation of lasting partnerships\u2014especially when they\u2019re united in growing the economy and making their community a better place to live and work.\u00a0<\/i>I\u2019m passionate about connecting with others who share a vision for Watertown\u2019s future and moving it forward through meaningful investment and collaboration.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

Outside of the office,\u00a0Sarah enjoys staying active at local fitness studios and spending quality time with her family and friends.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Melissa Backman<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Contact Melissa Backman<\/h4>\n

Phone: 605-884-0340
Cell: 605-880-0472
Email:\u00a0mbackman@wdcsd.com<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Executive Assistant<\/h3>\n
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Melissa Backman joins Watertown Development Company with over 25 years of experience in customer service, administration, and business operations. Throughout her career, she has excelled in leadership roles across various industries, including economic development, property management, healthcare administration, and law enforcement. Melissa possesses a strong background in data analysis, grant writing, financial management, and business development. Her ability to streamline operations and enhance efficiency has been an asset in every organization she has worked with.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Melissa holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Rasmussen University and an Associate of Arts in Office Administration and Business Management from North Dakota State College of Science. Additionally, she is a Certified Project Officer (CPO), who has demonstrated proficiency in project planning, stakeholder management, and risk assessment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Angie Yahne<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Contact Angie Yahne<\/h4>\n

Phone: 605-884-0340
Cell: 605-880-2804
Email:\u00a0ayahne@wdcsd.com<\/a><\/p>\n

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Director of Economic Development Project Management<\/h3>\n

Angie joined the Watertown Development Company in January of 2023 to assist new and expanding companies, childcare, and various other programs \u00a0available through the development company.<\/p>\n

Angie attended South Dakota State University and graduated with a Bachelor\u2019s degree in 2013. She moved to Watertown in 2017 to start a family with her spouse. She worked as the General Manager for SkyWest airlines until January of 2022 when they ended up exiting Watertown. She then took a position as an Administrative Assistant for the Watertown Airport for about a year. She ended up leaving the airport to open Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Watertown in June of 2023. After successfully opening the cafe, Angie felt it was time to explore more career options and look for a way to help support Watertown and its growth.<\/p>\n

Angie was hired as an Executive Assistant for Watertown Development Company on January 2nd and has since been promoted to Economic Development Project Manager. Angie has a passion for business and growth within the Watertown Community and hopes to become an asset for the Watertown Development Company.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

CHRIS Clifton Contact Chris Clifton Phone: 605-884-0340Cell:605-880-6784Email:\u00a0cclifton@wdcsd.com Executive Director Clifton brings over 35 years of economic development\u00a0experience to the Watertown Development Company. Throughout his tenure, he as has facilitated numerous […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1388,"parent":161,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"rs_blank_template":"","rs_page_bg_color":"","slide_template_v7":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-694","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nOur Staff & Board | Watertown Development Company<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn more about the staff members, directory board and mission of the Watertown Development Company.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/wdcsd.com\/staged\/about\/staff\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Our Staff & Board | 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