Burgum helps celebrate Independence Day at events in Mandan and Bismarck
In celebration of Independence Day, Gov. Doug Burgum appeared at multiple events in the Bismarck-Mandan area.
In the morning, Burgum and First Lady Kathryn walked in the Mandan Parade, passing out candy and posing for photos with attendees.
In the evening, Burgum opened the final night of the Mandan Rodeo riding on one of Chad Berger's horses, carrying the American Flag for the National Anthem.
Following the rodeo, Burgum introduced the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra prior to their performance on the steps of the North Dakota State Capitol leading into the Fourth of July Fireworks display.
NASA astronaut James Buchli to be presented with Rough Rider Award on July 30 at UND
Gov. Burgum announced that NASA astronaut James Buchli will be presented with the North Dakota Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award during a ceremony July 30 at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks.
Burgum announced Buchli as the 49th recipient of the Rough Rider Award, the state’s highest commendation for its citizens, on May 20. The award ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. July 30 in UND’s Robin Hall, 4275 University Ave., Grand Forks. A reception will follow.
Buchli (pronounced Buck-lee) was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in 2019, solidifying his legacy as one of the foremost figures in American space history. He has frequently returned to North Dakota, engaging with UND’s Space Studies program and inspiring future generations of aerospace professionals.
Born in New Rockford, Buchli became the first North Dakotan to fly in space and is a veteran of four space flights. He has orbited the Earth 319 times, traveled 7.74 million miles and spent more than 20 days in space. He was a distinguished Marine Corps aviator before becoming a NASA astronaut with a career marked by impeccable service and groundbreaking achievements.
In announcing him as a Rough Rider Award recipient, Burgum said Buchli’s distinguished career is a testament to perseverance, expertise and leadership.
“He flew on four space shuttle missions and participated in scientific experiments, satellite deployments and defense-related space operations of great importance to our country,” Burgum said. “An exceptional North Dakotan, Buchli is a great supporter of the UND Aerospace program and shares his experience and skills with aspiring students. As the first person born in North Dakota to visit space, he’s an example of just how far a North Dakotan can go.”
The Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award recognizes present and former North Dakotans who have been influenced by the state in achieving national recognition in their fields of endeavor, thereby reflecting credit and honor upon North Dakota and its citizens. Established during the 1961 Dakota Territory Centennial, the award was initially given as an honorary rank of Colonel in the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Riders. North Dakota Secretary of State Michael Howe and State Historical Society Director Bill Peterson both concurred with Burgum’s selection of Buchli for the Rough Rider Award.
A portrait of Buchli will be displayed in the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Hall of Fame on the ground floor of the State Capitol in Bismarck.
Burgum helps break ground on Fargo's airport expansion
Gov. Burgum joined local, state and federal officials July 1 at Hector International Airport in Fargo for a groundbreaking ceremony marking the start of construction to expand and modify the airport’s existing passenger terminal and build a parking garage.
"Our population continues to grow in North Dakota and our airports support tourism and our economy," Burgum said. "Grateful to our legislature for their support of this project and to Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer and Representative Kelly Armstrong for your unwavering support of our state’s airports."
Hector International has seen 35% growth from 2009 to 2019. The original terminal was built in 1986 when it had fewer than 190,000 passengers annually.
This project is to focus on increasing terminal capacity, increasing airport gates and redoing baggage handling. The project will be completed in 2026. There is also a separate parking garage component.
ND Military Commission holds first meeting under new name
Miller also meets with Japanese Consul General, presents at Black Leg Ranch
Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller and members of the newly renamed North Dakota Military Commission met for the first time under the new name this week.
The commission, formerly the Task Force for Military Issues in North Dakota (TF MIND), is continuing its work to support our service members, veterans and their families.
On Tuesday, Miller met with Consul General Jun Yanagi to continue discussions around areas of opportunity between North Dakota and Japan. Japan is one of North Dakota's closest trade and investment partners.
At an event at Black Leg Ranch near McKenzie, N.D., Miller spoke during the Doane/Doan Family Association Conference. The 57th biennial international conference hosted a week of experiences including typical frontier/western life activities, a rodeo exhibition and a focus on learning about North Dakota history and the Great Plains.
Black Leg Ranch is run by Jerry and Renae Doan and their three sons Jeremy, Jay and Jayce. The ranch is a no-till operation with 26 variety cover crops, cattle, bison, full hunting outfit, and an international agritourism and events venue just 24 miles southeast of Bismarck.
Industrial Commission names Morgan as BND president and CEO
The North Dakota Industrial Commission named Don Morgan as the next President and CEO of the Bank of North Dakota (BND) at its meeting on July 2. Morgan succeeds Todd Steinwand, who retired effective July 2 after serving in the position since July 2021.
Morgan, a certified public accountant, has worked in the banking industry for over 23 years and most recently served as chief executive officer and bank president for Starion Bank, a $1.9 billion community bank with 16 locations in North Dakota and Wisconsin. Morgan joined Starion in 2012 and in 2014 became a member of Starion’s Executive Committee.
“We are excited to welcome Don to the Industrial Commission and the Bank of North Dakota”, the Commission members said in a joint statement. “Don’s impressive experience over his decades long career in the banking industry and his deep understanding of the critical role BND’s community bank partners play in supporting farmers, ranchers and businesses in the state make him exceptionally well-positioned to lead this unique institution.”
A Wyoming native, Morgan earned a bachelor’s degree in finance with an accounting minor from University of Wyoming and a master’s in accounting from the University of Phoenix.
In 2023, the state-owned Bank of North Dakota reported total assets of $10.1 billion, record profits of $192.7 million and a return on investment of 18.2%. BND’s profits are utilized to support loan participations with partner financial institutions and to support disaster recovery programs. Profits may also be used to support legislatively directed loan programs and capital transfers to the general fund. Excess earnings are retained and accumulated to fund capital. In 2023 Standard & Poor’s (S&P) affirmed the Bank’s credit rating as A+/Stable. The Bank’s mission “to support agriculture, commerce and industry” has not changed since its earliest days in 1919. The Bank of North Dakota is the only state-owned bank in the nation.
The Industrial Commission, which consists of Gov. Burgum as chair, Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring and Attorney General Drew Wrigley, expressed its deepest gratitude to all the candidates for their interest and willingness to participate in the public process as the Commission worked to select the next leader of this important institution.
Burgum appoints Greg Hoffman to serve as chief information officer, lead ND Information Technology
Gov. Burgum on Thursday appointed Greg Hoffman to lead the North Dakota Information Technology (NDIT) department as chief information officer (CIO), effective immediately, citing his strong leadership experience and deep knowledge of the agency’s vital role in state government.
Hoffman has served as interim CIO since June 1 following the departure of former CIO Kuldip Mohanty, who resigned citing family reasons. Hoffman was appointed deputy CIO in April 2022 and has previously led the agency’s Administrative Services Division since 2014. He joined NDIT in 2005 as its first budget/rate analyst.
“Greg possesses a deep understanding of NDIT’s operations and knows the importance of strong customer service. He collaborates with agency partners to deliver technology solutions to best serve North Dakota citizens,” Burgum said. “We’re grateful for Greg’s nearly two decades of service. We look forward to his leadership of NDIT as it continues to prioritize customer service, employ emerging technologies such as AI, and enhance cybersecurity to ensure that citizen data entrusted to the state remains safe and secure.”
Hoffman earned bachelor’s degrees in accounting and business administration and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Mary in Bismarck.
“Being appointed as the CIO for NDIT is both an honor and a significant responsibility,” Hoffman said. “I am committed to building on our recent progress by focusing on customer service, leveraging emerging technologies like AI, growing the data literacy of government overall and continuing an emphasis on our cybersecurity posture. Together with our talented team, we will continue to innovate and deliver technology solutions that best serve the citizens of North Dakota, ensuring their data is secure and their needs are met efficiently and effectively."
More than 250,000 North Dakotans depend on NDIT’s technology services daily including computer equipment and software, communications, cybersecurity, networks, applications, GIS, servers, storage and data, and other services. The CIO provides vision, leadership and direction for NDIT, which has a $275 million operating budget, over $500 million in projects and approximately 500 team members under six teams: Application Team, Data, Technology, Security, Shared Services and Business Operations, and IT Business Management Office. The CIO is a member of the governor’s cabinet.