Meet the Board | Hope House

Gayle Stahl

My name is Gayle Stahl. I am the Executive Director/President for Hope House. My husband and I live on a farm near Hithcock, SD and we have two children. In my free time I enjoy baking, reading, and napping. The Hope House has been a dream of mine for quite some time. I recognized a need in Huron after taking a Bible study into the Beadle County Jail. I met women that were suffering from addictions and did not have a safe place to go after being released from jail. God laid a sober living home on my heart and the rest is history. God called us to be servants and that includes serving and loving His people. It is my heart's desire to genuinely love people.

Rebecca Tesch

Rebecca is currently the Family Service Coordinator at Head Start in Huron. Prior to her time at Head Start, Rebecca has almost 6 years of experience in Child Protection. Through these careers, Rebecca has gained knowledge in regard to the importance of support through addiction recovery, not only for the women themselves, but for the families that their addiction affects. Rebecca supports and recognizes the need for a safe place for women to go to continue taking the steps towards living a sober life in order to be successful members of society.

Deb Smith

My name is Deb Smith. I am a member of the board of directors for Hope House. I live in a small town close to Hope House. I have done many things from living in a third world country working with local government economic and social development, to running a small airline that serviced remote island atolls. My most recent venture was being a property manager. I am looking forward to the next adventure. I have five adult children (2 girls and 3 boys) and 10 grandchildren. I believe we all have a purpose in this life, and I have been blessed to be asked to join this dedicated group in helping women live a sober life. I work with the residents with anything financial. It is a very rewarding experience to walk with these women.

Brandi Griffith

My name is Brandi Griffith. I am a Board Member for Hope House. My husband and I live in the country just outside of Huron. We have three graduated children and three are still at home. This year we were blessed with our first grandchild. It has been blessing joining this board. It has given me the opportunity to share my experiences, strengths, and hopes with women, as I too am an addict in recovery. I have so much passion in helping those who suffer from this disease. What an honor I felt when Gayle asked me to join this team. In my free time I enjoy family. I love spending time with all my kiddos, camping or backyard fun. I also enjoy playing in the dirt with my flowers, indoors and outside.

Gene Miller

Gene grew up on a farm north of Iroquois, SD. After graduating from Iroquois High School in 1973, Gene pursued higher education in Huron, earning his degree in 1977. Shortly thereafter, he joined the Huron Police Department, where he dedicated 42 years of his life to serving and protecting others. During his distinguished career, Gene spent 28 years as a detective, handling a wide variety of cases with a focus on sex crimes. His commitment to justice and compassion for victims made him a respected figure in law enforcement. In 1980, Gene married Marcia, and together they raised two children, who have blessed them with four wonderful grandchildren. Now retired, Gene continues to give back to his community through his volunteer work with Hope House. As the only male member of our board, Gene brings a wealth of wisdom, invaluable expertise, and a calming presence that benefits us all. His unwavering dedication and thoughtful contributions make him an integral part of our team. We are truly fortunate to have Gene on our board, and we are grateful for the countless ways he supports our mission.