Kevin O'Dea
District 31 House of Representative

Family: Wife: Kerry O’Dea, One dog: Porter

Birth Date: April 18 th, 1978

Birthplace: Aberdeen, SD

Home City: Spearfish, SD

Religion: Catholic

Education:

• B.S. Botany, University of Wyoming 2000,
• M.S. Coursework Rangeland Ecology, University of Wyoming 2000-2002;
• Teaching Certification, Black Hills State University 2004

Professional Experience:

• Middle and high school science teacher
• Community organizer
• Sales consultant

Organizations:

• Belle Fourche Ducks Unlimited Committee member
• Boss Gobblers Chapter, National Wild Turkey Federation committee member
• Toastmasters International, public relations chair

Hobbies and Interests:

• Hunting and fishing
• Running
• Hiking and camping
• Spending time with family and friends

I was born on April 18 th 1978, to Bill and Penny O’Dea of Belle Fourche, in Aberdeen, SD. We soon moved back to Belle Fourche, and I attended both elementary and high school there, graduating in 1996. I matriculated at the University of Wyoming, earning a B.S. in Botany in 2000 and attending graduate school as well from 2000-2002 studying Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management. It was at UW that I met my lovely wife Kerry, and we were married in 2002.

Following graduation, we moved to Mission, in south central South Dakota, where I taught at the middle and high school level. As part of the Teach Dakota program, I earned my South Dakota Teaching Certification from Black Hills State University. After three lovely and challenging years in Mission, we headed off to the big city of Denver where I worked with communities to develop plans to prepare for wildfires and to reduce the risks to residents and property. However, city life was no match for time spent with family and the quality of life back home in South Dakota.

Upon returning, we chose Spearfish as our base of operations. We are truly thankful for the clear skies and wide open spaces of South Dakota after the hustle and bustle of Denver. I’m a teacher at the Belle Fourche Alternative High School and a Middle School football coach. I only wish I had more time to spend with my wife, go hunting, fishing, boating, and to enjoy all that our great state has to offer.