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BILT

Business and Industry Leadership Team (BILT)

Business and Industry Leadership Team (BILT) logo
The BILT model is a collaborative leadership model that allows business and industry to offer direct input in the development of college programs. This is an engaging approach to connect college programs to industry leaders.

Programs are advised by industry leaders to ensure the curriculum and hands-on learning students are conducting is exactly what employers need them to know. As a polytechnic, BSC builds the talent so employees and employers can build products and services and be successful together.
 

Business and Industry Benefits

  • Drive economic growth through public private partnerships (P3s).
  • Recruitment opportunities to develop talent and strengthen the workforce.
  • Upskill employees and develop the talent needed to drive business growth.

Student Benefits

  • Integrated learning using advanced technology through hands-on field experience.
  • Increasing and expanding pathways from K-12 through to the workforce.
  • Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) establishes the communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills that employees and citizens need.

Community Benefits

  • Strong, highly skilled workforce creates a stronger economy and thriving communities.
  • Industry partnerships boost the economy and enrich communities.
  • Educational opportunities improve the economic strength, health, and wellness of the population.

BILT Sector Membership

Leadership
  • Kirsten Baesler, Superintendent, ND Department of Public Instruction
  • Jace Beehler, Chief of Staff, Office of the Governor 
  • Steven Edwardson, Executive Administrator, ND Barley Council
  • Dave Farnsworth, Chair of ND Workforce Development Council, Retired from Great River Energy  
  • Kristin Hedger, Vice President, Killdeer Manufacturing 
  • Jason Herner, Account Manager, High Point Network
  • Kelvin Hullet, Market Manager for Economic Development and Government Programs, Bank of ND
  • Dean Kuhn, Site Operations Manager, Doosan Bobcat
  • Brent Lohnes, General Manager-North Dakota, Hess Corporation 
  • Katie Ralston, Director, Workforce Division of ND Department of Commerce 
  • Shawn Riley, Chief Information Officer, ND Information Technology Department 
  • Brian Ritter, President, Bismarck Mandan Economic Development Chamber 
  • Dr. Todd Schaffer, President & CEO, Sanford Bismarck  
  • Wayde Sick, Director, ND Department of Career and Technical Education 
  • Dan Wogsland, Executive Administrator, ND Grain Growers Association 
Agriculture
  • Wade Bott, State Soil Scientist, Natural Resources Conservation Service Soils (NRCS) 
  • Lee Briese, Crop Consultant, Centrol Ag Consulting 
  • Steven Edwardson, Executive Administrator, ND Barley Council 
  • Julie Ellingson, Executive Vice President, ND Stockman’s Association  
  • Brenda  Elmer, Executive Director, North Dakota Corn Growers Association 
  • Pete Hanebutt, Director of Public Policy, North Dakota Farm Bureau 
  • Brent Horner, Region Manager, Precision Planting  
  • Nancy Johnson, Executive Director, North Dakota Soybean Association 
  • Craig Kleven, Supervisor Agricultural Education, ND Department of Career and Technical Education 
  • Gary Knutson, Executive Director, Agriculture Association 
  • Josh Messer, Certified Crop Advisor, AGINTEL Agronomy Consulting 
  • Todd Neurohr, Vice President, Security First Bank of North Dakota 
  • Chad Olson, CEO/Owner, Whole Sale Ag Products 
  • Paul Overby, Owner, Verdi-Plus 
  • Tyler Schau, Commodities Broker, AgMarket.Net 
  • Nicole Wardner, Consumer Marketing and Industry Relations Specialist, ND Beef Commission 
  • Mark Watne, President, North Dakota Farmers Union 
  • Harrison Weber, Executive Director, Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association 
  • Dan Wogsland, Executive Administrator, ND Grain Growers Association 
  • Warren Woroniecki, Owner, Woroniecki Ranch 
Cybersecurity
  • Tony Aukland, Information Systems Security Analyst, ND Information Technology Department 
  • Art Bakke, Information Security Officer, Starion Bank (BSC Adjunct) 
  • Mary Ann Byrnes, Global Manager, Cybersecurity Academy Palo Alto Networks 
  • Chad Davis, IT Director, Turtle Mountain Community College
  • Justin Forde, President, Technology Council of North Dakota 
  • Tracy Foss, Supervisor, ND Dept of Career and Technical Education 
  • Bill Heinzen, Information Security Project Manager, NISC (BSC Adjunct) 
  • Jason Herner, Account Manager, High Point Networks 
  • Kim Hogstad, System Executive Director, Information Security Officer Sanford Health 
  • Thomas Manzella, Splunk, Director of Sales & Marketing 
  • Leah McLean, Vice President, Cybersecurity Specialist Mastercard Data and Services 
  • Valmiki Mukherjee, Chairman & Founder, Cyber Future Foundation & Constituents 
  • Shawn Riley, Chief Information Officer, ND Information Technology Department 
  • Taya Spelhaug, TechSpark Manager, Microsoft Philanthropies 
  • Troy Walker, Director of Sales & Marketing, Dakota Carrier Network
  • Sean Wiese, Cybersecurity Operations Director, Montana Dakota Utilities 
Energy
  • Travis Bower, Engineering Manager, ONEOK 
  • Chase Dauenhauer, Regional Wind Site Manager, NextEra Energy Resources 
  • Dave Farnsworth, Chair of ND Workforce Development Council, Retired from Great River Energy  
  • Cheryl Froehlich, Human Resources, Manager, BNI Coal 
  • Cindy Griffin, Director, Human Resources & Corporate Services, MIDWEST AgEnergy 
  • Lynn Helms, Director, NDIC Dept of Mineral Management 
  • Shannon Holter, Superintendent, Murex Petroleum 
  • Brent Lohnes, General Manager-North Dakota, Hess Corporation 
  • Darcy Neigum, System Operations and Planning Manager, Montana-Dakota Utilities Company 
  • Cameron Thoroughman, HR Manager, Marathon 
  • Ryan Turk-Bly, Vice President North US, KS Industries of North Dakota 
  • Troy Tweeten, Senior VP, Operations & Chief Operating Officer, Basin Electric 
  • Dean Volesky, VP Bakken Operations, Crestwood Midstream Partners 
  • Stan Wilson, Manager Resource Development, Continental Resources 
Health Sciences
  • Tracy Becker, Supervisor, Trade, Industry & Technical Education, ND Dept. of Career and Technical Education 
  • Tim Blasl, President, North Dakota Hospital Association 
  • Nancy Buchholz, Director, Northern Plains Laboratory Administrative 
  • Daniel Kelly, CEO, McKenzie County Healthcare System 
  • Wendy Kopp, VP of Nursing, Sanford & Clinical Services 
  • Raumi Kudrna, Nursing Director, CHI St. Alexius Health 
  • Todd Porter, Owner, Metro Area Ambulance Services 
  • Chris Rivinius, Manager, Sanford Power 
  • Dr. Todd Schaffer, President & CEO, Sanford Bismarck 
  • Kurt Schley, President, CHI St. Alexius Health 
  • Scott Schneider, CEO, Vibra Hospital 
  • Dr. Amber Tincher, Clinical Director, Indian Health Service 
Manufacturing
  • Pat Ackerman, Plant Manager, Cavendish Farms 
  • Peggy Anderholm, Special Projects Manager, Marvin Windows
  • Tracy Becker, Supervisor, ND Dept. of Career and Technical Education 
  • Kristin Hedger, VP, Killdeer Manufacturing 
  • Daniel Jones, Lean Promotions Manager, Doosan Bobcat 
  • Brent Kovash, NPD Engineering Manager, Steffes 
  • Dean Kuhn, Site Operations Manager, Doosan Bobcat 
  • Bob Larson, Chief Operating Officer, Baker Boy 
  • David Lehman, Adv Manufacturing Business Develop Manager, ND Dept. of Commerce 
  • Jodie Mjoen, CEO/Business Development Advisor, Impact Dakota 
  • Dean Pennington, Maintenance Manager, Dakota Growers Pasta 
  • Morgan Shae, University Relationship Representative, Doosan Bobcat 
  • Scott Staudinger, VP, Cloverdale Foods 
Marketing
  • Amy Arenz, Bismarck Workforce Center Manager, ND Job Service
  • John Bullinger, Owner/Chief Experience Officer, Bismarck Larks 
  • Phil Davis, Workforce Services Director, ND Job Service
  • Kent Ellis, Director, Bismarck Public Schools 
  • Tim Flagstad, Senior Strategic Planning Advisor, Sanford Health 
  • Melanie Heitkamp, Leader of Youth Life, Executive Director 
  • Kate Herzog, Chief Operating Officer, Bismarck Downtowners 
  • Penny Hetlevedt, Director of Education, Staff Development, & Core Correctional Practices, ND State Penitentiary 
  • Ellen Huber, Business and Development & Communication Director, City of Mandan 
  • Lyle Krueger, Assistant Director, Central Regional Area Career and Technical Center 
  • Heather LeMoine, Marketing and Research Manager, ND Tourism 
  • Patrick Mineer, CEO, Golden Path Solutions 
  • Christine Nelson, Event and Sales Manager, Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC 

BILT Program Membership

Diesel Technology
  • Christina Craine, Service Manager, Northern Plains Equipment 
  • Bryan Diede, Service Operations Manager, RDO Equipment 
  • Glen Huettl, Talent Acquisition Specialist, Plains Ag LLC 
  • Mike Leintz, Regional Aftermarket Manger, RDO Equipment 
  • Andy Luikens, Talent Acquisition, RDO Equipment 
  • Lukas Masseth, Maintenance Analyst, BNI Coal 
  • Tyler Reisenauer, General Manager - Bismarck & Dickinson Area, Titan Machinery 
  • Cody Small, Service Advisor, Butler Machinery 
  • Dan Stadick, Recruiter/Training Coordinator, Gooseneck Equipment 
  • Josh Wooledge, Service Operations Manager, Peterbilt  
Finance
  • Jason Arenz, President, BNC National Bank 
  • Lisa Chaffee, Certified Public Accountant, Eide Bailey 
  • Norman Clark, Senior Vice President of Retail Banking, Gate City Bank 
  • Kirk Cristy, Chief Financial Officer, Sanford Health Bismarck 
  • Craig Hanson, SVP of Business and Banking, Bank of ND 
  • Jason Kirchmeier, Private Wealth Advisor, Ameriprise Financial 
  • Joe Morrisette, Director of Office of Management and Budget, State of ND 
  • Brandon Reems, Bismarck Market President, Choice Financial 
  • Mike Schmitz, CPA and Managing Partner, Schmitz-Holmstrom 
  • Susan Sorensen, VP and Treasurer, Basin Electric Power Cooperative  
  • Jason Vollmer, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer & VP, Montana Dakota Utilities  
  • Lee Weisbeck, Market President, Starion
Heavy Equipment Operator
  • Molly Barnes, VP Equipment Manager, Northern Improvement Co.
  • Will Burke, Gratech Company, LLC
  • Donn Diederich, Executive VP, Industrial Builders, Inc.
  • Russ Hanson, Executive VP, Associated General Contractors
  • Paul Hartman, President, Traffic Safety Services
  • Tiffany Marthaler, Human Resources Director, Central Specialties, Inc.
  • Sally Miskavige, VP, Opp Construction
  • Rob Rebel, North Central Region VP, Knife River
  • Tom Todd, Division VP-Building, Northwest Contracting
  • Tracy Tooz, President, Tooz Construction
  • Dave Zavoral, VP, R.J. Zavoral & Sons, Inc.