Dusty grew up in a large, working-class family in central South Dakota. He was taught from a young age how important it is to be involved in your community and to give back.

After high school, Dusty went on to earn degrees from the University of South Dakota and the University of Kansas.

Dusty served as Vice President for Vantage Point Solutions, a South Dakota-based engineering and consulting firm specializing in rural telecommunications. Vantage Point has more than 200 employees and helps rural providers design, build, and operate broadband systems in 40 states.

In 2004, Dusty was elected statewide to the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission. He worked with his colleagues to maintain a fair and reasonable regulatory environment, facilitating the investment of hundreds of millions of dollars into rural energy and telecommunications infrastructure. 

In 2010, Governor Dennis Daugaard asked Dusty to serve as Chief of Staff, the Chief Operating Officer for much of state government. In that role, Dusty oversaw many of the Governor’s top projects and initiatives, especially those related to infrastructure and public safety.

In 2018, Dusty was elected as South Dakota’s only voice in the House of Representatives. During his time in Congress, Dusty rolled up his sleeves and got things moving in the right direction. He helped cut trillions in wasteful spending, stood with President Trump to secure our border, got tough on China, and fought for our commonsense South Dakota conservative values.

Dusty and his wife have been married for 25 years. They have three boys and live in Mitchell, SD.