Dakota Download Governor Burgum's Weekly Update - September 22, 2024

Burgum welcomes new North Dakota National Guard adjutant general

On Sunday, U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mitchell Johnson officially assumed command as adjutant general of the North Dakota National Guard in a change of command ceremony at the Raymond J. Bohn Armory in Bismarck. Johnson succeeds U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Alan Dohrmann, who served in the position for more than eight years.

Gov. Doug Burgum, who serves as commander-in-chief of the North Dakota National Guard, announced Johnson's selection on June 20 and presided over the change of command ceremony.

“Brig. Gen. Johnson’s outstanding track record of service and leadership in the Air Force and National Guard will serve him well as our state’s next adjutant general, ensuring that our North Dakota National Guard and Department of Emergency Services continue to perform at high levels for our citizens,” Burgum said. “We are deeply grateful for his service and for the incredible leadership of Maj. Gen. Dohrmann, who has dedicated his career to protecting our state and nation, defending our freedom and ensuring our National Guard members are well-trained and well-prepared to succeed in their missions. We thank Maj. Gen. Dohrmann for his more than four decades of exceptional service and wish him all the best in his retirement.”

Johnson began his military career in 1997 when he commissioned through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program at Michigan Tech in Houghton, Michigan. His first duty assignment was at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado. During his 12 years of active service, Johnson served in multiple flying assignments with Air Mobility Command, Air Education and Training Command, and Air Force Special Operations Command.

Upon leaving active duty, Johnson entered the North Dakota National Guard, where he became a pilot for MQ-1 Predator, C-21, and MQ-9 Reaper aircraft. He held multiple staff positions and commanded at the squadron, group, and wing-level. He also served as the chief of staff, Air, with the North Dakota National Guard Joint Force Headquarters, and completed six overseas deployments during his career.

As adjutant general, Johnson will also serve as the director of the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services, which is comprised of the Division of Homeland Security and the Division of State Radio Communications.

Following the change of command ceremony, Dohrmann was honored at a retirement ceremony for his more than four decades of military service. He began his military career in 1983, serving seven years with the active-duty Army on assignments in Germany and Japan. He joined the North Dakota National Guard in 1991 and held various roles before being named deputy adjutant general in 2007.

In 2009, Dohrmann deployed as part of Kosovo Forces 12, serving as the commanding general of Multinational Task Force — East. He commanded more than 2,000 military members from the United States and seven other countries during his deployment. Upon his return in 2010, he resumed his duties as deputy adjutant general, serving as second in command of the North Dakota National Guard.

Dohrmann has served as the adjutant general since 2015, overseeing numerous deployments and several domestic operations. These include the Guard's support to North Dakota during the COVID-19 response between 2020-2022, the Medora wildfires and Roosevelt Creek Fires in 2021, the Bourbanis Dam Stabilization in 2022, and the Missouri River Ice Jam in 2024.

Lt. Gov. Miller joins officials in highlighting impact of Phase 1 of Grand Farm Innovation Campus

Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller joined fellow elected officials including state Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring, state legislators, business leaders and others at a press conference Wednesday in Bismarck to highlight the positive impacts of the completion of Phase 1 of the Grand Farm Innovation Campus.

Grand Farm received a $10 million grant from the North Dakota Department of Commerce in February 2022 to use toward the building of the Innovation Campus. The grant was included in Gov. Burgum’s Accelerate ND plan and approved by the 67th Legislative Assembly during its special session in November 2021.

"We are so proud to see that Grand Farm has wrapped up Phase 1 on the Innovation Campus," Miller said during the event. "We know agriculture and Grand Farm have a very bright future in our great state, our country and our world. And we're so glad to be a part of it, and we look forward to what's ahead in Phase 2."

Miller was a founding member of the Steering Committee for Grand Farm. Phase 1 of the campus includes the purchase and utilization of 140 acres of land being used for collaboration, research, and demonstrations, and Grand Farm’s 25,000-square-foot Innovation Shop, which held its grand opening in June.

988 Lifeline empowers supervisor to support employee's mental health

In a compelling display of leadership and compassion, a North Dakota construction supervisor's call to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has sparked an important conversation about mental health in the workplace. North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) partners with FirstLink to answer both 988 and 211, the numbers for resources.

With September marked as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, FirstLink Development Director Jeremy Brown recently shared this impactful story of answering the call from a construction supervisor, illustrating the profound impact of accessible mental health resources.

According to Brown, when the supervisor recognized changes in a crew member's behavior, he reached out to 988 with concerns about an employee’s well-being. He had been dealing with significant personal issues, including a divorce and custody battle, which were beginning to affect his job performance and mental state. Unsure of how to address these sensitive topics, the supervisor sought guidance from 988 on how to approach the situation.

Brown recounted the call, illustrating the profound impact of recognizing changes in someone’s behavior, taking proactive measures to support others and the importance of accessible mental health resources.

"The supervisor told me about his employee's struggles and expressed concern that the employee might be having suicidal thoughts. This was not a conversation he was accustomed to having, especially in a male-dominated industry like construction where mental health topics can be stigmatized," Brown explained.

Rather than having a third-party intervention, the supervisor opted to be coached on how to have a direct and empathetic conversation with his employee. Brown took time to role-play the conversation, provided strategies on how to address the topic of suicide, and offered a list of resources that could be shared during the supervisor’s discussion with his employee. This approach ensured the supervisor was equipped to handle the conversation with sensitivity and support.

The outcome was twofold. The immediate concern for the employee's mental health was addressed, and the supervisor realized the broader need to foster a more open dialogue about mental health within his entire team. He expressed a desire to create a workplace environment where resources are readily available and mental health conversations are normalized.

HHS Suicide Prevention Program Administrator Melissa Markegard highlights the broader implications of this story.

"This isn't just about one call. It's about changing the culture of how we address mental health in the workplace. This supervisor's initiative is a perfect example of how leadership can make a difference," said HHS Suicide Prevention Program Administrator Melissa Markegard. “I’d like to encourage all employers to seek out the tools and knowledge to support their employees' mental health in order to create a safer and more supportive environment for everyone.”

The story underscores the critical role that 988 can play not only in crisis situations but also in providing ongoing support and education for anyone needing help. It also serves as a call to action for other business owners and supervisors to take proactive steps in supporting their employees' mental health.

”I hope more supervisors and business owners in North Dakota are inspired to take similar steps, demonstrating that addressing mental health proactively can lead to positive changes not just for individuals but for entire workplace cultures,” said Brown.

The partnership between HHS and FirstLink supports HHS' strategic priorities to advance the foundations of well-being through access to high-quality services and supports closer to home as well as deliver best-in-class customer-centered experiences.

Burgum joins governors in asking NCAA to restructure their proposed NIL settlement

Gov. Burgum joined Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte and three other western states in writing a letter to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) sounding the alarm about an unfair settlement reached that will have a devastating impact on athletic programs in smaller states.

Recently, the NCAA reached a $2.8 billion settlement with Division I student-athletes in the Power Five conferences over backpay owed to them after the organization updated its policies regarding Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) sponsorships.

The proposed settlement would result in a nearly $1 billion financial hit for colleges and universities outside of the Power Five Conference, including hundreds of thousands of dollars for those in the Big Sky Conference.

“Unfortunately, the proposed settlement is unfair for the colleges and universities in our states. Generally speaking, NIL sponsorships tend to be more popular among the bigger athletic conferences and not the smaller ones,” the governors wrote. “Additionally, as Big Sky Conference Commissioner Tom Wistrcill recently noted, only Power Five conferences were parties to the lawsuit and participated in settlement negotiations. Despite these facts, the proposed settlement puts programs in every state, including small and medium-sized programs in our states, on the hook for payment.”

Gov. Gianforte was joined by Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, Idaho Gov. Brad Little and Burgum in signing the letter.

Writing about the impact on colleges and universities in their region, the governors wrote, “Each of our states has between one and three Division I medium-sized colleges. According to the athletic directors at our colleges and universities, the settlement means our programs stand to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars per year. This may not seem like much to larger athletic programs, but to the student-athletes in our states, it is a significant hit to their programs.”

The letter from the governors may be viewed here:

NDRIO to host Inaugural Investment Seminar

The North Dakota Retirement and Investment Office will host its Inaugural Investment Seminar, “Optimizing Returns for North Dakota’s Future" on Sept. 25, 2024, at the Bismarck Public Schools Career Academy.

This seminar is designed to provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of North Dakota's investment strategies and the broader economic landscape. It will also be an excellent opportunity for community leaders, members of the public, and industry professionals to learn about sound investment practices and the future of North Dakota’s financial growth.

2024 Governor’s Photo Contest for Travel and Tourism Now Open

The North Dakota Governor's Photo Contest for Travel and Tourism is back, inviting residents to capture the beauty and excitement of our state for a chance to win cash prizes and statewide recognition. This year’s contest is a partnership between the Governor's Office, AAA of North Dakota, North Dakota Tourism and the North Dakota Council on the Arts.

“North Dakota is a state of extraordinary beauty and diverse experiences, and this photo contest is a wonderful opportunity for residents to showcase what makes our state special,” Gov. Burgum said. “We encourage everyone to participate, capture the magic of our seasons, and share their unique perspectives with the world. Let’s celebrate North Dakota’s beauty together and inspire others to discover our great state.”

This year's theme highlights North Dakota's diverse seasons, showcasing the unique appeal of our state throughout the year. Photographers can submit entries in eight categories:

  • Winter Scenery & Winter Activities
  • Fall Scenery & Fall Activities
  • Spring Scenery & Spring Activities
  • Summer Scenery & Summer Activities

The contest is open to all North Dakota residents. Photographers can submit their entries online through Instagram, the contest website, or Flickr, or by mail. The deadline for entries is Jan. 31, 2025.

Winners will be chosen in each category, with a grand prize winner receiving an additional cash prize and a free AAA membership. Winning photos will also be displayed in the State Capitol and used in promotional materials.

Full details and contest rules can be found at https://www.ndtourism.com/governors-photo-contest-entry.