Watertown, SD - Jun 12, 2012 - The National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) has named Todd Schlekeway to be the organization's executive director.

Schlekeway joins NATE after working the last seven years in the public affairs industry. As the founder and principal of a public affairs and communications firm called Full Court Strategies Group, he has experience in the areas of government relations, media relations, client relations, issue advocacy, event management, strategic planning and budgeting.

Prior to working in the public affairs arena, Schlekeway worked on the U.S. Presidential Inaugural Committee in 2004-2005 and on several high-profile U.S. Senate campaigns in South Dakota. He has also served two terms in South Dakota’s state legislature where he represented a Sioux Falls legislative district in both the State House and the State Senate.

Schlekeway received his undergraduate college degrees from the University of Sioux Falls (USF) with a B.A. in history/political science and a B.S. in exercise science. He also earned a master’s degree in education (M.Ed.) from USF. He participated in collegiate athletics as a member of the University of Sioux Falls basketball team during his tenure.