SURF Foundation selects new Board members

The mission of the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) is to support the advancement of world class science and inspiring learning across generations. Established in 2019, the SURF Foundation supports that mission by building upon strong relationships within the community and opening doors for public contributions.

At the SURF Foundation’s helm is the Board of Directors, which guides the organization toward its long-term vision. Last month, the Board confirmed four new members and recognized two retiring members for their service.

After guiding the Foundation through its formation and initial years, board members Kay Jorgensen and Paul Christen retired in June.

“I’d like to recognize and thank Kay and Paul for their guidance and leadership as charter members of the SURF Foundation Board of Directors and for helping us make the SURF Foundation a reality,” said Mike Headley, executive director of SURF.

The SURF Foundation Board of Directors consists of six members. New members, Aurelia Skipwith, Robert Wilson, Beth Massa and Chris Fall, will join current members Fred Romkema and Dana Dykhouse, with Casey Peterson as ex officio.

“I’m excited to welcome our four new directors to the Board,” Headley said. “They have an impressive range of expertise in science, technology and fundraising. Our board is growing to a national-level group to help us raise funds for exciting new initiatives at SURF.”

With Inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA) at the forefront of every aspect of the SURF Foundation, the diverse expertise of the Board ensures that conversations and solutions come from many different perspectives. 

“Strategically growing the SURF Foundation Board of Directors is an important step in supporting the science and inspiring education across generations,” said Staci Miller, director of the SURF Foundation. “We enthusiastically welcome our new board members and appreciate the volunteerism, passion and support of all past and present Board members.”

Aurelia Skipwith

Aurelia Skipwith is a biologist and lawyer, who brings legal, regulatory and business operations expertise to the Board.

“It’s an honor to join the SURF Foundation Board,” Skipwith said. “As a cutting-edge institution that has created an environment to study mysteries of science and physics, they have also prioritized exposing the next generation of children and young adults and giving back to the community.”

Skipwith served with the United States Department of Interior as the director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and as the deputy assistant secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

Skipwith holds a Bachelor of Science in biology from Howard University, a Master of Science in molecular genetics from Purdue University and Juris Doctor from the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law. She currently holds board positions with the Steamboat Institute and Protect the Harvest.

Dr. Robert Wilson

Dr. Robert Wilson is an experimental physicist and leader in the scientific community.

“For much of my career, I have pursued science questions that will be addressed by the experiments to be performed at SURF, so I am honored to serve alongside eminent members of the Foundation Board drawn from the scientific, technical and business communities,” Wilson said. “Now that SURF, which provides the physical facility, is well-established, I am especially excited to support the effort to create a world-class institute that will provide a locus for a broad range of science that takes place underground.”

Wilson is a professor of experimental high energy physics at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO. Wilson was the regional leader of the Henderson, Colorado, bid to host a Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory solicited by the National Science Foundation.

As co-leader of the Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment (LBNE) Collaboration, Wilson helped build the collaboration to more than 550 members from 80 institutions in nine countries. As a member of the Fermilab Interim International Executive Board, he assisted in the transition of LBNE into the current Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) and the Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF), which now have participants from 200 institutions in 30 countries.

Wilson earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of London and his Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Purdue University. He received post-doctoral training at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center.

Beth Massa

Beth Massa is a skilled development professional with extensive experience in nonprofit organizations.

“I'm a firm believer in education. While not everybody can be a scientist, I think everybody should learn about science. As South Dakotans, we have the opportunity to promote the science taking place in our own backyard,” Massa said. “Education piques the interest of the next generation, having them ask, ‘What is dark matter? Why do researchers need to go a mile underground?’”

Massa is the regional director for Foundation Relations at South Dakota Community Foundation. In addition to her responsibilities at the SURF Foundation, Massa serves as vice president of the South Dakota Chapter of Association of Fundraising Professionals, South Dakota Nonprofit Network and is an advisory member of SD Gives, the statewide giving day for nonprofit organizations.

Massa received a Bachelor of Arts focused in Political Science and Government from Texas Lutheran University. She earned her Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) certification in 2019. 

Hon. Chris Fall

Hon. Chris Fall served as director of the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science, which is the nation’s largest supporter of basic research in physical science and is responsible for 10 of the 17 DOE national laboratories including the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab). Fermilab leads development of LBNF/DUNE project at SURF.

“SURF is helping to build and is going to host critical parts of one of the biggest and most important science projects in the world. Beyond that, the SURF Foundation has a vision for a center of science collaboration and education in Lead on behalf of the people of South Dakota, the Nation and the world,” Fall said. “I love the ambition and the promise of these plans, and I’m thrilled to be invited to help to realize them as a member of the Board.”

Before leading the Office of Science, Fall served as the senior advisor to the undersecretary for Energy and the acting director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy. He also worked at the Office of Naval Research and served for three years, across two administrations, in the White House Office of Science and Technology.

Fall earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Virginia. He also holds a Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

The SURF Foundation invites support for the advancement of underground science and its global impacts. To learn more or make a donation, visit the SURF Foundation website.

Sanford Lab is operated by the South Dakota Science and Technology Authority (SDSTA) with funding from the Department of Energy. Our mission is to advance world class science and inspire learning across generations. Established in 2019, the SURF Foundation supports that mission by building upon strong relationships within the community and opening doors for public contributions. Visit Sanford Lab at www.SanfordLab.org.