Rich Merkouris is a longtime Sioux Falls resident. He spent his childhood years in Sioux Falls and attended Horace Mann Elementary. He later graduated from the University of Sioux Falls and has since served in numerous capacities as a community and faith leader. Rich is the President of Kingdom Capital Fund and is on the board of directors for Empower Sioux Falls, Compassion Child Care, and the Sioux Falls Hope Coalition.

He has provided leadership for several collaborative efforts in Sioux Falls, including the development of the Empower Campus, the formation of the Sioux Falls Hope Coalition, and housing redevelopment in Pettigrew Heights. For the past eleven years, he has served as a Volunteer Chaplain for the Sioux Falls Police Department and Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office.

Rich’s wife, Shannon, is a special education teacher at John Harris Elementary. They have three children—Hannah, Henry, and Hazel.