Dakota Download Governor Burgum's Weekly Update - May 19, 2024

Burgum thanks Mohanty for service after chief information officer resigns; Hoffman named interim

Gov. Doug Burgum thanked Chief Information Officer (CIO) Kuldip Mohanty for his service and leadership of the North Dakota Information Technology (NDIT) department after Mohanty submitted his resignation on Tuesday, effective May 31, citing family reasons. Burgum has appointed Deputy CIO Greg Hoffman to serve as interim CIO.

Mohanty has served as the state’s CIO since Feb. 23, 2023. He brought nearly 30 years of private sector experience in IT, most recently as CIO of HUB International Limited in Chicago, spearheading technology modernization and transformation for the world’s fifth-largest global insurance brokerage. As North Dakota’s CIO, Mohanty led NDIT through work on several major initiatives, including modernizing the unemployment insurance system, crafting policies and guidelines for use of artificial intelligence and development of the Business Gateway.

“Kuldip brought a deep understanding of system operations and a strong focus on customer service during his impactful 15 months as CIO, ensuring that NDIT was able to meet the needs of its agency partners so they could better serve North Dakota citizens,” Burgum said. “We’re grateful for his leadership of the outstanding team at NDIT, and we look forward to building upon his progress and wish him all the best in his future endeavors. We also thank Greg Hoffman for stepping up again to fill the interim CIO role as part of NDIT’s highly capable executive team.”

In his resignation letter, Mohanty said he’s stepping down to spend more time with family, adding he is “confident that the current executive leadership team is on a path to deliver excellence for the years to come.”

“It has been a privilege and honor to be a part of your administration in serving the citizens of North Dakota,” Mohanty stated. “I had the utmost pleasure of leading an amazing team of leaders within North Dakota Information Technology in delivering value to our citizens in collaboration with our agency partners.”

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 479 full-time 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.

Fort Stevenson State Park visitors achieve new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title

North Dakota Parks and Recreation is excited to announce Fort Stevenson State Park is now home to the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the Most people making s’mores simultaneously with a total of 1,150 people. The previous record was 891. The park hosted the event in celebration of its 50th anniversary with numerous support from generous local sponsors.

An official judge from GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS was on site to verify the record and confirm that 1,150 people simultaneously made s’mores.

“We are ecstatic to have achieved this record, knowing it couldn’t have happened without the amazing people of North Dakota,” said Fort Stevenson State Park Manager Chad Trautman. “Our 50th anniversary is a significant milestone, and this record attempt was the perfect way to celebrate. All the volunteers and visitors that came together to make history today helped us create an unforgettable event.”

The s’mores record attempt event was made possible by these generous sponsors: Garrison Area Improvement Association, McLean Electric Cooperative, CHI St. Alexius Health, Hwy 83 Lawn and Leisure, Hwy 83 Manufacturing, Cenex, TruCommunity Bank, BNC Bank, SCHEELS, Dairy Queen, Krause's SuperValu, 4 Seasons Restaurant, Basin Electric, and Otter Tail Power.

Latest round of Recreational Trails Program grants awarded

The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department (NDPRD) Recreational Trails Program (RTP) received 20 applications totaling $3.5 million in project fund grant requests.

The RTP has allocated approximately $1 million to award through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). This round’s funding priority was to create new trails that link to existing trails, forging connections to the “last mile” – that pivotal final tie to connect people and places. Applicants were encouraged to demonstrate that last mile connection in their application narrative. In addition to funding two NDPRD trail improvement projects, the following projects were selected for funding:

1. Dickinson Parks and Recreation – Crooked Crane Trail

• Awarded $158,010
• This project will incorporate two additional loops to the Crooked Crane Trail for another 1.3 miles, extending the total trail to 2.38 miles between the Nyoda and Stranski trailheads. By leveraging the sideslope for drainage, installing culverts, and ensuring a consistent stable surface, the trail will offer improved accessibility and durability. Furthermore, the addition of distance markers and wildlife interpretive signage will enhance the overall trail experience.

2. Fargo Parks District – Lions Conservancy Park Trailhead Facility

• Awarded $242,000
• This project will construct a new trailhead facility which includes an open-air shelter, concrete parking lot, lighting and a trailhead map. It will also add 2 miles of new crushed gravel trail to connect Lions Conservancy Park to Iwen Park in Fargo to create a cohesive park greenway that will allow park users to expand their recreational opportunities.

3. Grafton Parks and Recreation - Leistikow Park Community Trail Bridge

• Awarded $173,000
• This project involves removal and replacement of a 36-foot trail bridge located within the Leistikow Park Trails. This bridge, which is actually a 36-foot flatbed trailer, was placed over the coulee by a local archery club in the mid-1980s. The flatbed trailer bridge was not installed on abutments. The project is to replace the existing bridge with a 40-by-10-foot timber frame recreation bridge with railings installed on timber crib abutments rated for five tons.

4. Stutsman County Park Board – James Valley Water Trail

• Awarded $240,000
• This project will establish five destination kayak launch sites at key recreation points along the Jamestown Reservoir.

The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is an 80/20 matching grant program that provides funding for both motorized and non-motorized recreational trail projects. Examples of eligible projects include construction of new recreation trails, restoration of existing trails, development and rehabilitation of trailside and trailhead facilities and trail linkages, purchase and lease of recreational trail construction and maintenance equipment, land acquisition/easements and trail accessibility assessment.

North Dakota Council on the Arts announces new Executive Director Jessica Christy

Following an extensive national search, North Dakota Council on the Arts (NDCA) is pleased to announce that Jessica Christy has been selected as the next executive director of the agency. Christy joined the team on May 13, 2024, and will work side-by-side with outgoing Executive Director Kim Konikow until her June 14 departure date. Konikow has served as executive director since January of 2018.

Christy is a native North Dakotan, born to two artists on the Sanger Art Farm, located at the edge of the Sheyenne River Valley. Following a decade immersed in the arts scene of the Chicago area, where she dedicated her time to teaching and collaborating with numerous arts nonprofits and community initiatives, Christy is excited to return to her home state. Her passion for uplifting communities through art drives her dedication to serving the people of North Dakota.

“The art spaces and programs in North Dakota played a pivotal role in shaping my creative journey. Now, as I return, I’m honored to both revisit my roots and enrich and expand upon the partnerships within the state. I’m committed to forging new connections, listening to the needs of our communities, and fostering meaningful collaborations with creatives across every corner of our state. I look forward to celebrating the diverse voices and stories that define North Dakota's artistic landscape," Christy said.

Christy completed her bachelor's degree in art at Valley City State University in 2007, followed by her MFA from the University of North Dakota in 2011. She contributed to the art community at the Jamestown Arts Center and taught at Minot State University before relocating to Chicago. There, she made her mark at the community printmaking studio Spudnik Press Cooperative and established BE Community Art Space, a pop-up gallery and arts space dedicated to offering free arts programs for local youth and families. While in Chicago, she remained committed to teaching printmaking and other art courses across the city.

Throughout her career, Jessica has kept an active studio practice, showing in over 150 national and international exhibitions.

“Arts and culture play an important role in healthy, vibrant communities, and we are grateful for Kim's leadership at North Dakota Council on the Arts over the past six years," Gov. Burgum said. "We wish her well as she embarks on her new journey, and we look forward to welcoming Jessica home to North Dakota to lead the Council on the Arts.”

NDCA Board Chair Dr. Shawn Oban said, "We are thrilled to welcome Jessica Christy as the new executive director of North Dakota Council on the Arts. Jessica's track record of leadership, commitment, and exceptional communication skills has consistently exceeded expectations. Her ability to lead and innovate, especially in critical areas like program management and fundraising, assures us that she will bring tremendous value and insight to the state of North Dakota and NDCA."