Julie Kneeland – Alumni Profile

Julie (Ellingson) Kneeland originally from Sisseton, SD, but currently residing in  Watertown, SD

Agri-Business, 1999

What memories of your time at Lake Area Tech stand out? The staff and teachers were AMAZING!! Our class had great relationships with our teachers – especially Jim Clendenin, Myron Johnson and Larry Kohlhoff! I am still in contact with all of them. Along with numerous classmates! I do regret not getting more involved with the clubs and activities that were offered. 1997-1999 were two of the greatest years of my life! I am just AMAZED at what this school has accomplished and continues to do!

Where are you employed today? After graduation, I worked at the Watertown Co-op Elevator before accepting a position in the Accounting Department at Hesco, Inc. I married Tony Kneeland who is an LATC alumni of the Building Trades program. After five years, I took a job at Angus Palm in their Cost Estimating Department. After five years there, I chose to stay at home with our three sons and do paperwork for our business, Kneeland Construction. After eight years of helping Tony, I was offered a part-time position as the Executive Officer of the Watertown Area Home Builders Association where I am currently employed. Tony and I were given a great opportunity in 2019 and purchased Glass Products. We are both PROUD alumni and supporters of LATC!! I am humbled to have been asked to serve as the 2022-2023 President of the Alumni Association Board. I was very honored to have inducted the Class of 2023 into our Alumni Association – the largest graduating class ever! Keep doing phenomenal things, LATC!! If I am not working or not on the sidelines of one of our sons’ games (softball, football or basketball), I enjoy attending live music.