USD Alumnus Gary Ellis to Deliver Commencement Address May 10
“We are honored to welcome Gary back to campus to share his story and inspire the next generation of leaders,” said USD President Sheila K. Gestring. “Gary exemplifies the lifelong impact of the education our students receive at the University of South Dakota. His distinguished career, dedication to service and unwavering support of the university reflect the values we strive to instill in all Coyotes.”
Ellis grew up in Sac City, a small rural farming community in northwest Iowa, before attending USD. He was active on the USD campus and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting in 1978 before beginning his career as a certified public accountant with Price Waterhouse in Minneapolis. Ellis was in the audit department for over 10 years before leaving the firm in 1989 to join Medtronic, Inc. in Minneapolis.
Ellis began his three-decade career with Medtronic in the Corporate Controller’s office and continued in various finance leadership roles in the U.S. and Europe before becoming chief financial officer (CFO) and senior vice president in 2005. As CFO, Ellis provided executive leadership to the worldwide financial team until his retirement in 2016. In addition to his strategic and financial leadership, Ellis was instrumental in assisting the company as it developed and acquired new medical innovations and technology. During his tenure as CFO, he also had leadership responsibilities for several other worldwide functions, including global manufacturing, information technology, facilities and real estate.
Since retiring from Medtronic, Ellis has continued to influence the business world through board service. Current and past corporate board positions include the Toro Company, Inspire Medical Co., Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc., and Itamar Medical Ltd. His nonprofit board work includes the American Heart Association – serving as national chairman from 2007-2008 – Twin Cities United Way and many others.
A proud supporter of the university, Ellis served six years on the USD Alumni Association & Foundation board. He continues to be active and support Coyote activities and students.
Ellis and his wife, Sue Ellis, recently established Ellis Impact, a $3 million matching gift that supports USD’s Coyote Beginnings Fund. Their generosity helps bridge gaps in students’ financial aid needs, making higher education more accessible.
The Ellises also supported the development of the Ellis Finance & Analytics Lab at the Beacom School of Business, a state-of-the-art finance and analytics lab that that utilizes Bloomberg Terminals, providing students with hands-experience and a competitive edge in the job market.
Gary and Sue, married during their time at USD, have shared 48 years together. They currently live in Naples, Florida, and have a summer home in Woodbury, Minnesota. They have two children and six grandchildren.
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