About A1 Development Solutions

A1 Development Solutions is a full-service firm that brings an experienced team of elite professionals to work for rural America. We are passionate about providing opportunities for family farms and building our rural communities through the responsible growth of livestock, grain, processing, agri-industrial, and commercial projects.

THE A1 APPROACH

Our entire team was born and raised in the rural Midwest and has an immense passion for helping family farms and, in turn, our rural communities thrive. Livestock production & agricultural processing are the key components to a well-rounded rural economy that has a healthy school system, busy Main Street, and growing businesses. The A1 Approach to development is a fully transparent process of identifying what a given region, county, and community would like to see for opportunities and helping to develop those interests. At the same time, we have numerous clients looking to call South Dakota their home. Our thorough consulting and site selection process ensures we find them the right site and community that they can become a part of long term. We believe in Win-Win opportunities built upon lasting relationships.

Our Team

Paul Kostboth

Paul Kostboth founded A1 Development Solutions in April 2017 out of recognition of a need for a full “A-Z” service provider that can guide projects through the multiple challenges which come with development from initial site identification all the way through construction.

Prior to A1, Paul served as the Director of Ag Development for the South Dakota Department of Agriculture, and also served as the Director of Single Family Development for the South Dakota Housing Development Authority. Paul has been involved in several personal business ventures including rental property rehab, ownership, and management; ownership and management of a lounge/restaurant; and partnering in his family farming operation.

Paul also serves on volunteer boards including the Central Plains Dairy Foundation, Sioux Falls Accessible Housing Advisory Board, First Dakota National Bank Ag Advisory Board and is a past member of the Minnehaha Planning & Zoning Commission (2015-2017).

Ty Eschenbaum

Ty Eschenbaum grew up on a row-crop farm and seedstock Charolais cattle operation in east central South Dakota, which brings a deep-rooted background in business and production agriculture to the A1 Team.

Ty attended South Dakota State University as a Briggs Scholar, receiving degrees in Agricultural Business and Entrepreneurship before spending time in economic development for the SD Department of Agriculture and in operations for Rembrandt Foods.

Leadership and personal development have always been important to Ty; he is a SD Ag & Rural Leadership graduate and has held positions on the Board of Directors or as an advisor for the American-International Charolais Association, Avera Rural Cancer Care Board, and the Bush Foundation. Ty also manages a non-profit Foundation for youth cancer survivors.

Mark Mickelson

G. Mark Mickelson co-founded A1 Development Solutions in April 2017. Mickelson is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive), a member of the South Dakota Bar Association, and President of Mickelson & Company, LLC.

Mark is an active owner in the ongoing development of 200 acres of land in northwest Sioux Falls, and provides capital advisory and tax credit advisory services through Mickelson & Company. Mark has been a member of several volunteer boards including the South Dakota Community Foundation, the University of South Dakota Foundation, the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, and the South Dakota Board of Economic Development.

In addition to his local involvement, Mark served in the South Dakota House of Representatives from 2012-2018, and was Speaker from 2015-2018.

Kyle Peters

Kyle Peters joined A1 in May of 2021, bringing extensive background and knowledge in finance, economic development, government affairs, public relations, and agriculture. Kyle grew up on a row crop and cow/calf operation just outside of White Lake, SD.

Kyle left the farm to earn a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics at South Dakota State University in Brookings, while simultaneously earning a degree from Northern State University in Banking & Financial Services. He went on to spend 4 years in, primarily, Ag & Commercial lending before moving to Pierre to work for the Governor’s Office of Economic Development in January of 2019 as a Senior Business Development Representative before joining the A1 team.

In addition to A1, Kyle was elected to the Watertown City Council in June of 2023 and serves on the boards of the SD Ag Foundation, SD Development Corporation, SD Municipal League Tax & Policy Committee, Economic Development Professional’s Association, and the SD Mule Deer Foundation.

Kyle and his wife, Kassidy, have two children, Adeline (Addie) & Branch.

Tim Czmowski

Tim Czmowski joined the A1 Development team in the winter of 2022, bringing a vast background in dairy processing and sales and an immeasurable passion for public service. Tim’s devotion to the dairy industry began at an early age, having grown up on a dairy farm near Webster, South Dakota.

Tim served our great country in an artillery unit for 10 years with the South Dakota National Guard, being recognized as the Battalion Soldier of the Year in 1986. During his time in service, Tim received his bachelor’s degree in Agriculture - Dairy Science Manufacturing from South Dakota State University. Prior to A1, Tim utilized his leadership and manufacturing experience in the dairy processing industry for 41 years in companies including Land O’Lakes, Valley Queen, Tetra Pak/CPS Scherping, Green Meadows/Trega Foods, and Agropur. In addition, Tim and his wife, Patty, established CheeseWorld LLC in 2013 as an online and retail cheese store providing expertise for worldwide, award-winning cheeses. He spent 5 years serving as a Milbank City Councilman, 8 years on Governor Daugaard’s Ag Advisory Board, and has been a member and officer of several volunteer boards & organizations, including the North Central Cheese Association, Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, South Dakota Dairy Association, South Dakota Youth Business Association, Northeast South Dakota Health Foundation, and many others.

Cole Christian

Cole Christian joined A1 Development Solutions in January of 2024 as a Project Manager, bringing a diverse background and knowledge in agriculture, finance, and real estate. Born and raised in the Sioux Falls area, he grew up active in his family’s row crop and cattle operation in southwestern Minnesota.

Cole earned a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics at South Dakota State University with minors in Agricultural Business, Agricultural Marketing, and Rural Real Estate and Land Valuation. During his time at SDSU, he was involved in numerous student activities and held multiple leadership positions in various organizations including FarmHouse Fraternity, Litte International, State-A-Thon, and student-led clubs. Outside of SDSU, he was a mentor with the Brookings County Youth Mentoring Program.

After graduation and prior to joining the A1 team, Cole practiced as a Licensed Commercial Real Estate Appraiser in Sioux Falls.

Heather Kostboth

Heather Kostboth joined A1 Development Solutions as the firm’s Business Manager in May of 2018, bringing a vast background in office administration, communications, outreach, and creative solutions to the organization. She was raised on a family livestock and row cropping operation near Canistota, SD, which provided her with a true understanding of the agriculture industry, a strong work ethic, unwavering family values, and dedication to her community.

Heather holds a bachelor’s degree from Colorado Technical University. Prior to A1, she worked as the Farm Business Manager for Sonstegard Foods, and served as the Executive Assistant to U.S. Attorneys Brendan Johnson and Randy Seiler. In addition, Heather is a full-time wife and mother, and serves on the Parent-Teacher Organization board for a local school district.