The site is managed by Mike Vetter, an entrepreneur, outdoor enthusiast, church youth guy, and future husband residing in Sioux Falls, SD. In The Expanse is a place for me to share my experiences and thoughts for anyone interested in what I’m up to. Feedback is welcome.

Professional: DataSync

Currently I serve as CEO and Director of DataSync Corporation, a company based in Sioux Falls but with clients around the globe. I helped start the company, managed it through some tough transitions, and am now growing into the CRM space.

More about DataSync on our website: http://datasyncorp.com

More about my professional life: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mikevetter

Ministry: Youth

I’ve been involved in youth ministry since college. I think it might make me feel like a kid again. Right now I contribute to the youth group at Central Valley Community Church. Some days it’s tough, but watching kids grow in their faith and take on the world head-on is very rewarding. I’m in the process of moving to The Crossing in Sioux Falls, and hope to start a youth ministry there.

Hobbies: Mountains & Storms

Nature thrills the heck out of me, especially the edges of it all. That’s where In The Expanse name of the site comes from – the thrill of being out there in it all.

Storm Chasing

My longest running outdoor hobby is storm chasing. It all started when my family and I nearly got run over by the F5 Hesston Tornado, a scare that might fuel why I document tornadoes today. Other recent successes were filming the Tornado Tuesday Manchester, SD outbreak of 2003. I now chase with the Extreme Weather Chase Team.

Climbing

My most recent, and probably most nutty hobby is alpine climbing. That means climbing up the faces of mountains, often on routes that alternate between snow and ice. It’s probably an adrenaline kick, but it’s gotten me into the best shape of my life.

So far I’ve completed a few 14ers in Colorado, some routes in the Bighorns of Wyoming, and ice climbing in the Black Hills of South Dakota. In 2012 I plan to begin climbing mixed moderate routes in the Wind River Range in Wyoming and maybe a couple in Colorado.

Then I fell in love…

I’ve fallen in love with a wonderful girl named Heidi. We’re getting married in March, and we can’t wait. Words can’t describe how I feel, so here’s a picture that might:

What I believe…

I believe the Bible is absolute truth and I try to follow what it teaches. I still (after all these years) stumble around and make mistakes a lot, but I’m trying to live out my faith. My ego has taken a beating in recent times, and I’m trying to build a humble view of life. I’m growing up, slowly. At my current pace I’ll be grown up at about age 90