General Biography

Taffy Howard is a proud veteran, mother to two wonderful children and happily married to her husband  for 27 years.

Taffy was raised in a family of patriotic conservatives. Born in Decatur, Georgia she understood sacrifice at a young age, moving around the country for her mother’s active duty career in the U.S. Army.

After graduating college from South Dakota State University in Brookings, Taffy was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. During her service, Taffy earned her Airborne Wings after graduating from the U.S. Army Airborne School, and was awarded other awards to include: Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, and the Air Force Training Ribbon.

Taffy and her husband have lived in Rapid City since 1993 where they have raised their two sons.  During that time, Taffy and her husband have been business partners in several local ventures and rental properties.

Education

Taffy attended most of her high school years at Security Christian Academy in Colorado Springs, CO as her mother was stationed at Fort Carson.  Before her senior year however, Taffy once again followed her mother’s Army career and moved to Sioux Falls, SD, where she graduated from Lincoln High School in 1985.

In 1985, she began her college education at South Dakota State University (SDSU), where she met her husband Mark.   She was an active member of both Air Force and Army ROTC as well as various other organizations such as the Arnold Air Society and Cateau Rangers.  Taffy graduated in 1989 receiving her Bachelors of Science in Mathematics and being commissioned into the U.S. Air Force.

Personal Life

Taffy Howard is a veteran, a mother, a wife, a small business owner, and a leader in her community.  Taffy has dedicated the last 21 years to teaching and training two young men. She and her husband have worked to raise their boys from an early age to know and serve Christ in all they do.

Taffy also involved her children in the South Dakota Chapter of TeenPACT, to help educate them about the importance of civic involvement. Taffy herself is an active member of the Republican party , where she has served as the Precinct Committeewoman, and has assisted with various functions. Along with her support of the Republican party, Taffy strongly believes in traditional family values and our second amendment rights, is a member of the American Legion, National Rifle Association and supports the Family Heritage Alliance as well.  She is an active member of her church where she has organized and led various Vacation Bible Schools, teaches children’s Sunday School classes, and volunteers in other ways as well.