About Nick Kotzea

Nick Kotzea (cot-say-uh—fun once you can say it!) is a lifelong South Dakotan, born in Aberdeen and raised in Milbank. He grew up the son of a highway patrolman and a mother who kept books for a small family business – learning early the value of hard work, entrepreneurship, and public service.

An early newspaper nerd, Nick began writing for his hometown paper while still in high school, eventually earning a scholarship to attend the University of South Dakota, where he completed both his undergraduate and law degrees. A practicing attorney and nonprofit executive, his professional career has included service in state government, health care public policy, and higher education (the particulars: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickkotzea/).

Nick and his wife, Kate, a Sioux Falls native and marketing professional, have been married for 13 years and are blessed with three young children—Joey, William, and Mackenzie. Nick and Kate remain active in their church, children’s school and activities, and boards for a variety of nonprofit organizations focused on community safety net programs, accountable journalism, and educational fundraising.