Expert Advice from Seasoned Professionals and Distinguished Retirees
Individuals and groups are needed now to build houses, ‘hug and hold’ babies at Casa Jackson Hospital for Malnourished Children, and distribute food and clothing in impoverished villages, while climbing volcanoes and visiting Mayan Indian cultural sites and marketplaces.
Yes, it’s a crazy world we live in… but together with you, we can change that.
By volunteering with your ecumenical GOD’S CHILD Project, you can help create a better world by building homes, helping care for the sick and abandoned, engaging in disaster relief, and teaching job-creating skills.
You are needed where The GOD’S CHILD Project works, here locally, regionally, across the United States, and in Guatemala, El Salvador, and India, as an individual or as a group. Come for the short-term or long-term.
You’ll have a wonderful time while you literally save lives. Check it out:
A life-enriching experience waits for you now locally in Bismarck, or internationally in Guatemala, through this ND-based 33-year old award winning charity.
No experience necessary. Dates open!
Patrick Atkinson, Founder / Executive Director 721 Memorial Highway #2 Bismarck, ND 58504
(701) 255-7956
info@GodsChild.org
Vaccines are your child’s best defense against some of the most dangerous diseases. During a well child visit, your child’s primary care provider can ensure they are getting the immunizations they need to stay protected.
Schedule a well child visit today on My Sanford Chart or by calling your child’s provider.
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For over 12 years, we’ve been expertly crafting brands that make a lasting impact — from the first impression of your logo to the seamless experience of your website. Now, we’re extending our expertise to transform your physical spaces, including short-term rentals, that stand out in a competitive market. Whether it’s designing an office that reflects your company’s identity, curating a stylish rental that guests won’t forget, or creating a personalized home, we ensure every detail aligns with your brand’s story. From concept to completion, we bring your brand to life in every dimension.
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Photo by Connor Picard
We are sad to see summer slip away, but I am sure we are all excited for the fun fall activities and the routine we all lost with the warmer weather. We are excited to usher fall in with our always anticipated Business Issue of Bismarck Magazine. This is a special edition dedicated to highlighting the words of wisdom from those experienced in their careers.
We are so excited for this year’s theme as we celebrate the insights of Bismarck’s seasoned business leaders and hear about the invaluable advice they give to the next generation.
In this issue, we delve into the lives and careers of some of our community’s most respected figures. Through intimate interviews, we uncover the strategies, challenges, and triumphs that have shaped their careers. From navigating economic downturns to fostering innovation and leading with integrity, their experiences provide a blueprint for success and resilience in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape.
We explore how their foundational principles and time-tested strategies can guide aspiring entrepreneurs and established professionals alike. Their reflections on leadership, adaptability, and the importance of mentorship create great stories for the younger workforce as they go on to give actionable advice that remains relevant today.
As we reflect on their legacies, we invite you to consider how these insights can inform your own path. Whether you’re launching a new venture or seeking to refine your business practices, the guidance from these veteran leaders can offer a fresh perspective and renewed inspiration.
When you finish up with words from the wise, flip the cover and read all about the next generation and Mandan’s brand-new state-of-the-art high school!
Bismarck Magazine is published four times a year and is complimentary. Copies are available across the Bismarck, Mandan and Lincoln communities or online at bismarck-magazine.com.
PUBLISHERS
Hannah Haynes hannah@bismarck-magazine.com
Caroline Crary caroline@bismarck-magazine.com
LAYOUT EDITOR Jenna Kluting
PHOTOGRAPHERS NewAge Creative
CONTRIBUTORS Maria Brezny
COPY EDITOR Jennifer Kranz
ADVERTISING info@bismarck-magazine.com
Bismarck Magazine Corporation, Copyright 2015 Bismarck Magazine and bismarck-magazine. com. All rights reserved. This periodical cannot be reproduced without the written permission of Bismarck Magazine. Bismarck Magazine will not be held responsible for any errors found in the magazine. Bismarck Magazine Corporation accepts no liability for statements made by advertisers.
Direct access testing gives you the freedom to monitor your health on your schedule – without a referral. Think of it as your check-in between checkups.
At most of our locations, you can walk in and order a wide variety of tests that track important health information, including:
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Your health care needs change throughout your life. At Essentia Health Mid Dakota Women’s Center, you’re heard at every stage in life by your care team in a center devoted solely to women’s health.
Visit EssentiaHealth.org to learn more or schedule with your trusted women’s health provider by calling 701-712-4501.
WHERE DO YOU WORK?
“I am the owner of Keller Hearth ‘n Home.”
CAN YOU GIVE AN OVERVIEW OF KELLER HEARTH ‘N HOME?
“We started in 1977 in an offsite warehouse in south Mandan. After probably four years, we moved in a rented space on Twin City Drive. We were there until the mid 80s when this building came up for sale that we’re in today. It was a very good opportunity for us to open our showroom up. In 2005, we did a big addition which more than doubled the space of our showroom... We also added a huge warehouse, so we can have inside storage for all of our stuff which was huge. Here we are today waiting for the new highway to get in.”
WHAT'S THE BIGGEST LESSON YOU'VE LEARNED FROM YOUR CAREER? “Stay focused and don’t give up.”
WHAT WAS YOUR VERY FIRST JOB?
“I started working parttime at grocery stores and worked a variety of construction jobs until this opportunity came up, and I haven’t looked back.”
WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE YOUR SUCCESS TO?
“I’ve got people here who’ve worked with me since day one. I’ve got installers who’ve worked for me for over thirty years… if we were going through employees fast and furiously, it probably would never have succeeded.”
WHAT’S THE KEY TO
“My dad was a businessman, and he drilled into my head, treat people the way you want to be treated. Not only your customers, but also your employees and realize that you have to compensate them as well as you can to keep them working.”
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
“The feeling of accomplishment.”
WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN?
“My wife and I do a little bit of traveling, we do some RV-ing, a lot of boating on the river here, and we ride a lot of pedal bike.”
STORY: MARIA BREZNY
PHOTO: NEWAGE CREATIVE
WHERE DO YOU WORK?
“As the Dean of the Gary Tharaldson School of Business at the University of Mary.”
WHAT WAS YOUR VERY FIRST JOB?
“My very first job was delivering papers… in rain or snow for two years.”
CAN YOU GIVE A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF YOUR CAREER?
“After graduating from high school, I went into the Air Force and was stationed at the Minot Air Force base... After that, I started my own insurance agency right after my honorable discharge. I did that for twenty years, and about the 17th year in, I was doing some insurance pre-licensing work for the state. It was basically teaching for the test, but I got a lot of questions about how to run a business, and I realized I had a gift
to give to somebody. I cashed out my business a few years later, went back to school to get my masters… While I was going through the grad program, I took a job at the Minot Daily News just to keep myself occupied during the day… In the meantime I was adjuncting as many classes as I could. I was working for Williston State, Bottineau, Park University at the base. Then, University of Mary came there with their programs, so I was teaching with University of Mary… I knew UMary was where I wanted to be. In 2005, a full time position came open. I applied and got the position… I started the DECA program, and I was teaching anything marketing and management. I became the Dean of the School of Business in 2020, so I’ll start my fifth year as Dean this year.”
“To listen more. You learn a lot when you listen. That’s an important part of any leadership position that you’re in. Just making sure you’re listening to people.”
“There are things Teri, my wife, and I want to do from a mission standpoint... We want to be able to give back to our community in a mission-driven sense to help with the wellbeing of others… I will probably never fully retire. I will always be active in something.”
STORY: MARIA BREZNY
PHOTO: NEWAGE CREATIVE
“I am the vice-president and general manager of River City Sports and Misty Waters Marina.”
CAN YOU GIVE A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF YOUR CAREER?
“I started in this business in 1981, so this is my 43rd year if my math is right. I started out as a salesman, and I grew into a sales management position that grew into a general management position which then 25 years ago with River City Sports became general manager and partner, so it’s been a 43 year journey, and I’ve loved every minute of it.”
WHAT WAS YOUR VERY FIRST JOB?
“I technically sold cars for a year. I ended up selling a car to a gentleman who
owned a boat dealership, and he offered me a job. I was like, that’s different, and I started and I was intrigued, and here I am.”
FROM YOUR CAREER?
“To be consistent and to treat this business the same way you’d treat your family and friends. You’ll be successful if you treat everything with honesty and respect and integrity and live by the Golden Rule.”
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE JUST STARTING THEIR CAREER?
“Start out in a way that allows you growth, but yet you can really take care of your customers in the meantime… Don’t do too
much too fast. Grow into it.”
“Customers ask me all the time, when are you going to retire? I tell people over and over that I really love what I do. I love the people I work with. I love the industry. As long as I have health, I plan to continue, but we are preparing for the future.”
STORY: MARIA BREZNY PHOTO: NEWAGE CREATIVE
PRESIDENT AND CEO, AGENCY MABU
WHERE DO YOU WORK?
“I am the President and CEO of Agency MABU."
CAN YOU GIVE A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF YOUR CAREER?
“I started my career at St. Alexius Medical Center as what I’d call an “opportunistic entrepreneur,” and have since evolved into a “serial entrepreneur”... When I left to start my first business, I was a member of the administrative team... Since starting Agency MABU, I’ve spent the last 20+ years launching and running several other businesses including Shutter Pilots (aerial imaging), Innovatar (augmented reality), Nativeways Travel (tourism), Pemmican Patty Food Company (protein snacks), JamesLee Enterprises (property management) and the North Dakota Indian Business Alliance (nonprofit). I’m not done yet. I’m planning to start another business in 2025, while remaining active with
my other businesses.”
WAS YOUR VERY FIRST JOB?
“My very first job while in high school was working at a local grocery store in Minot as a ‘bag boy.’”
THE
YOU'VE LEARNED FROM YOUR CAREER?
“I’ve learned where to focus my attention at each step of the journey. I started by looking backwards and tapping into the unique characteristics and experiences of my family and ancestors. Next, I looked outwards toward the many opportunities and interests that spoke to me. Then I looked downwards and began moving toward pursuing one goal after another. My career path has taken many twists and turns; however, it has ultimately taught me life’s biggest lesson. While looking backwards, outwards and downwards is important, life’s journey ultimately requires looking
upwards to my Creator for purpose, hope, and peace."
“My oldest son Alexander is now running my main business interest, Agency MABU. He and his leadership team will no doubt take the business into the future in a good way. It’s tremendously fulfilling to see the business transitioning to the next generation. His sons are now even talking about working at MABU and running it someday.”
IN?
“I don’t plan to retire. I’ve got too many mountains yet to climb, valleys to explore, and plateaus to enjoy.”
STORY: MARIA BREZNY
PHOTO: NEWAGE CREATIVE
“I am the owner of Haider Glass Specialties with my husband Tom.”
“My first job was a candy striper… [but] banking was my life for a really long time. Then, I stayed at home for 12 years, and when my kids got into middle school, I went back into banking… Then, 20 years ago, my husband Tom had been with Harmon Glass for 25 years and that company sold… We started on our own, and we took out every single nickel and penny we had in retirement to buy everything that we had, vehicles and we bought a store in Rapid City. Two weeks after we moved into our location, our building
burned… When the fire came out on the news, our sign was all the way across the building, so we had a number of very large companies in town who came looking for us. That fire helped us get started tremendously. I always believe in a silver lining. We just celebrated our 20th year in January.”
“Be multidimensional. Educate yourself on a lot of things… have perseverance, have initiative, have kindness and respect for others… Relationships have to come first in a job.”
“We do have a succession plan. Our daughter Courtney has been in the business for almost as long as we have, and she is much better at it than we are. She’s the best of both of us, and she handles things flawlessly. We don’t actually have the how to’s yet, but I have no doubt that she will grow bigger and stronger than we’ve ever been.”
“I don’t know if we will ever fully retire… To be able to let go of that is kind of letting go of one of your children. It is a hard thing to do.”
STORY:
MARIA BREZNY
PHOTO: NEWAGE CREATIVE
BOARD MEMBER, BRAVERA | RETIRED
“When I was in high school, I worked for a local veterinarian.”
CAN YOU GIVE AN OVERVIEW OF YOUR CAREER? “I started in banking in 1986 as a bank examiner for the state of North Dakota. I joined American State Bank and Trust of Williston at the end of 1989, primarily as their chief financial officer. In 2003, I made the decision to join what was Bank Center First here and was American State Bank out in Dickinson… I spent from 2003 until 2007 as the president of that organization here in Bismarck. Then, in 2007, I became the president/CEO of Bank Center First. Then, we merged the banks together with Dickinson and Bismarck, and I was the Chief Operating Officer. Then, in 2013, I made a
career change and joined the University of Mary as their executive vice president/chief of staff… I rejoined Bravera as president of client services January 1st of 2020 until March 31st of 2024 when I stepped down.”
“April 1st, I joined the board of directors at Bravera and also became a consultant. I do some mentoring… and I do some business development work as well… I’ve always been actively involved at the University, at my church, with Light of Christ schools, with the Women’s Care Center. These things are near and dear to me, and I don’t intend to give that up. It brings richness to my life. ”
“Pam, my wife, and I have five children… One of the things in raising a family of that size is that most activities focused either around them or around work, so it’s one of my desires in slowing down to find some new things. I love to grill, and I want to take some courses on some cooking… The last few months I’ve just tried to decompress a little bit. You don’t realize how fast you go until you start to slow down a little bit… Earlier this year it struck me that I don’t even know how to plan for vacation… There’s so many places in this country that I would like to see.”
STORY: MARIA BREZNY PHOTO: NEWAGE CREATIVE
“I started with Montana Dakota Utilities one week out of college, so I started like May 31st of 1983, and I retired May 14th of 2024, so a few days short of 41 years. I started as an electrical engineer in Dickinson. After three and a half years, I took a transfer to Glendive, Montana as an electrical engineer again… About two and a half years later in ‘89, I moved to Williston as an electric superintendent… Four and a half years later in ‘93, I moved to Bismarck and took a job in our electric systems… I was fortunate seven years later to become a vice president of operations for the company… We bought Cascade Natural Gas… and I became the president of that business… I was in that role for about a year.
My then boss, who was the president and CEO of the utility, retired, so I was elevated to that position in 2007… Then, in August of 2012, it was announced that I would succeed the CEO of the corporation, so on January 4th of 2013, I officially became the corporate CEO… I was in that role for 11 years. I fully retired from MDU on January 5th, 2024, and I remained on the board of directors until the annual meeting which was May 14th.”
“For an individual, do the best job you possibly can in your current position, and the next job will take care of itself… Organizationally, everything is done with and through others… It’s always a team effort.”
“The company always offered me opportunities, challenged me, gave me a chance to grow as a person and an employee.”
“Pat, my wife of 40 years, and I are blessed with 12 grandchildren, and we have three daughters. Their families all live within 20 minutes of our house, so I’m able to do more with them. I have also picked up tennis after a hiatus of 18 years.”
STORY: MARIA BREZNY PHOTO: NEWAGE CREATIVE
RETIRED
“My very first job was selling clothes at a women’s clothing store at West Acres in Fargo.”
CAN YOU GIVE AN OVERVIEW OF YOUR CAREER?
“I got an accounting certificate from Interstate Business College… and I went to work as an insurance agent in Williston…I did that for a few years. I moved back to Bismarck and I went to work for Earl Pomeroy when he was just elected as state insurance commissioner… Then, I fell into software development for a company that did insurance administration…
I did that for seven or eight years. Then, I did some consulting… Then, my husband and I opened a UPS store in Shawnee, Kansas. We had it there for a couple of years, and then
we had the opportunity to open one in Bismarck, so we came home, and opened the one on South Seventh Street… Then, we sold the store, and I went to work for the Lewis & Clark Development Group… I retired at the beginning of 2019.”
“In 2014, people started talking to me about running for mayor. I thought mistakenly that you should have some city commission experience before you’re mayor… Brenda Tschider announced in February that she was not running, and the election is the beginning of June. My husband and I were watching that on the news, and we looked at each other and he said, there has got to be a woman on that city commission and I
said, yes, and he said, well, we should run... We threw a campaign together, and it worked. I won. I couldn't believe it… I was on for two terms, from 20142022.”
“I figure if everyone walks away from the table just a little bit unhappy, then you probably have a pretty good end product.”
“After fifteen years, I was able to ride horse again... The other thing I do obsessively is knit and crochet.”
STORY: MARIA BREZNY PHOTO: NEWAGE CREATIVE
RETIRED
CAN YOU GIVE AN OVERVIEW OF YOUR CAREER?
“I started at the Bismarck Tribune as the marketing manager and was there for a beautiful 23 years… Then, I had a yearning for something else, and I had coffee with the director at the Park District, and said, ‘I’m searching for something, what would that be.’ He said, ‘Would you come work for the Park District’ and I about jumped out of my skin and said that would be a blast. He created a position, and I applied, and it was amazing. I was there for 17 years. So I've been in Bismarck a little over 40 years with two jobs. I retired at the age of 62.”
WHAT DO YOU DO WITH YOUR FREE TIME NOW THAT YOU’RE RETIRED?
“I’ve always wanted to serve the community in a bigger way, so I ran
for the park board, and I was elected in June… I volunteer for Heavens Helpers Closet (701), my husband and I do some things for Furry Friends Rockin’ Rescue… I’m in Bismarck-Mandan Civic Chorus, and I’m on the board there. I do some things at UMary with some communication and recognition things.”
WHAT DID YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR TWO JOBS?
“At the Tribune, it was so rewarding to help businesses with a promotion or an event or help them grow with a special project or an advertising section… and at the Parks, that synergy of people working together for a common goal and getting things done for the betterment of an entire community is a pretty cool thing.”
FUN HOBBIES YOU’VE PICKED UP SINCE RETIRING?
“My husband and I learned how to play pickleball. We took lessons because we thought we should learn from the ground up. That’s been really fun.”
WHAT WAS YOUR VERY FIRST JOB?
“I was a lifeguard.”
WHAT’S THE BIGGEST LESSON YOU’VE LEARNED FROM YOUR CAREER?
“Take personal responsibility… it’s that waiting, when am I going to get that promotion, when am I going to get my dream job. No. Why are you waiting? Take personal responsibility. Look and say what else do I want, what else do I need to fill my soul.”
STORY: MARIA BREZNY PHOTO: NEWAGE CREATIVE
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We want kids to feel like kids, even when they’re sick, or hurt, or don’t feel like themselves.
That’s why at Sanford Children’s, we do more for kids. From our child-friendly facilities and equipment to our specially trained providers, we know what it takes to care for kids and keep them comfortable. Whether it’s a routine check-up or a complex treatment, we’ll be there to support the whole family.
Learn more about our children’s care at sanfordhealth.org
Sanford Health would like to invite your child to participate in a screening research study. Through Sanford PLEDGE, we hope to identify children at higher risk of developing type 1 diabetes (T1D) and celiac disease and intervene early to prevent serious illness.
Your child may qualify to join the study if they:
Are ages 0-5 or ages 9-16
not have T1D
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Ask your provider or care team about the PLEDGE screening study.
Visit sanfordhealth.org/PLEDGE or call (877) 878-4825 to join the free study or learn more about PLEDGE.
