North Dakota named innovation champion by Consumer Technology Association

BY LISA GIBSON

In its annual look at innovation in all U.S. states, the Consumer Technology Association has named North Dakota an innovation champion, the highest of the four distinctions, for its growth in 2015. The state ranked first in the country for entrepreneurial activity, judged by the average number of small firms created per capita.

The innovation champions ranked highly in right-to-work legislation, fast internet access, a robust entrepreneurial climate and open posture to new business models and technologies. North Dakota’s grades in the measured categories include: A+ in right to work, B- in granting STEM degrees, B for tax-friendly, A+ in entrepreneurial activity, B+ in fast internet, B in tech workforce, A in welcoming new business models and a D+ in attracting investment. That D+ could mean the state is not attracting enough venture capital money, or perhaps not enough startups are seeking venture capital money, says Izzy Santa, CTA senior manager of policy communication. In 2015, a total of only $10.48 in venture capital was spent per capita in the state, with research and development investment of about $300 per capita. To compare, the champion of attracting investment, Massachusetts, saw about $800 in research and development investment, Santa says.

From 2009 to 2013, North Dakota created 28,000 jobs, 16,000 with newly established firms. “Over the last few years, the state has really been a hub for growth,” Santa says. North Dakota’s key gains were in legalized ridesharing, friendly tax policies that allow entrepreneurism and job growth.

North Dakota was ranked an innovation leader in 2014, the second-highest distinction, and South Dakota was ranked an innovation champion. The states switched rankings in 2015. “There’s a bit of friendly competition going on,” Santa says. Minnesota also was ranked an innovation leader for 2015.

North Dakota shares its innovation champion title with Arizona, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin. To see the entire scorecard, visit www.cta.tech/scorecard.

“It’s incredible North Dakota really made such a huge leap,” Santa says. PB

Lisa Gibson Editor, Prairie Business 701.787.6753 lgibson@prairiebusinessmagazine.com

NDSCS names Student Affairs leader

North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton recently promoted Jane Vangsness Frisch to vice president for the new Student Affairs division.

Vangsness Frisch graduated from North Dakota State University in Fargo with a bachelor’s degree in health education and mass communication with an emphasis in public relations. She also earned a master’s degree in mass communication and is currently pursuing a doctorate in education with an emphasis in institutional analysis, both from NDSU.

Vangsness Frisch joined NDSCS in 2012 as director of student success and career services. In 2014, she was named associate vice president for student success. Before her time at the college, Vangsness Frisch worked for the North Dakota University System.

NDSU professor to serve on tribal health advisory committee

Loretta Heuer, professor in the School of Nursing in the College of Health Professions at North Dakota State University in Fargo, has been invited to serve on the advisory committee for the evaluation of tribal health opportunity grants. The program, coordinated by the Administration for Children and Families within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides temporary assistance for those in need and low-income individuals to gain an opportunity for education and training in health care fields that are expected to experience labor shortages or that will be in high demand.

Heuer, a Robert Wood Johnson Executive Nurse Fellow alumnus, also chairs the interdisciplinary Midwest Clinicians Research Committee that collaborates with the University of Chicago in an effort to improve the care provided in federally funded health centers through quality research. Heuer also has coordinated state conferences in the past four years to bring together tribal leaders, health care practitioners and others focused on American Indian nursing.

Schulze named TSP’s eastern region principal

TSP Inc. has named Principal and Senior Architect Elizabeth Schulze to lead its Minneapolis office. Schulze will direct the firm’s efforts across its Eastern Region, overseeing ongoing projects in Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin.

Schulze has managed numerous projects at clinics and care centers in the Department of Veterans Affairs system, and she’s designed major improvements on college campuses across South Dakota, including the Beacom Institute of Technology at Dakota State University in Madison and the South Dakota Public Universities & Research Center in Sioux Falls.

William Craft

Concordia College president appointed, elected to boards

William Craft, president of Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., has been appointed to the board of the Association of American Colleges and Universities and elected to chair the Lutheran World Relief board of directors.

AAC&U is the leading national association concerned with the quality, vitality and public standing of undergraduate liberal education. Craft’s work with AAC&U began early in his faculty career, as a mentor in its Cultural Legacies program to diversify the American college curriculum. It has continued through his current service as chair of the Wye Seminar Council, a partnership of AAC&U and the Aspen Institute.

CHI St. Alexius Health names controller

CHI St. Alexius Health in Bismarck, N.D., has named Brandon Vaughan controller in fiscal operations. As controller, Vaughan oversees the operation of the accounting department and the mail center. He assures the development of programs, policies and procedures for the fiscal department and completes accurate monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements. Vaughan also ensures the completion of the annual budget preparation.

Before joining CHI St. Alexius, Vaughan was the chief financial officer at Jamestown (N.D.) Regional Medical Center. He earned his Bachelor of Accounting from North Dakota State University in Fargo and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Mary in Bismarck. He is a Certified Professional Accountant.

KLJ engineer named NDSPE Chapter 3 Young Engineer of the Year

The North Dakota Society of Professional Engineers Chapter 3 has named Scott Kolbinger its 2015 Young Engineer of the Year. The Young Engineer of the Year Award acknowledges an outstanding engineer for achievements in education, professional societies, technical, civic and humanitarian activities, engineering and professional development.

Kolbinger works in KLJ’s Municipal Group in its Bismarck, N.D., office. He has served KLJ for more than six years, providing land development and design solutions throughout North Dakota. Kolbinger earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from North Dakota State University in Fargo.

BSC’s Huber selected for council post

Lane Huber of Bismarck (N.D.) State College was chosen president-elect of the Council of College and Military Educators. Huber is BSC’s chief distance learning and military affairs officer and has been at the college since 1999. He was previously with the North Dakota National Guard as an enlisted member of the military police and an air defense artillery officer.

After his term as president-elect, Huber will become president of the CCME in March 2017 and serve one year. His responsibilities include working with policy makers in the Department of Defense, military education officers and his counterparts at colleges and universities.

Huber holds a master’s degree in management from the University of Mary in Bismarck and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks.

B9Creations names CEO

B9Creations of Rapid City, S.D., has named Shon Anderson its CEO. Anderson previously served as the company’s vice president of sales and marketing.

Anderson has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington. He spent more than 16 years in various roles with Schneider Electric in Texas before moving back to South Dakota. He joined B9Creations, a 3-D printing company, in 2014.

Aldevron names vice president/general manager

Aldevron, a leading provider of products and contract manufacturing services for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, has named Jenny Stafford vice president and general manager. Stafford’s responsibilities include overseeing the company’s manufacturing and client relations operations in Fargo, N.D.

Stafford previously served as director of quality and regulatory. Before Aldevron, Stafford held positions of increasing responsibility at LifeCell Corp., Merck Pharmaceuticals and PRACS Institute. Her responsibilities included managing quality systems for compliance with international regulations in the pharmaceutical, medical device and human tissue production industries.

Stafford holds a Master of Science in Chemistry from North Dakota State University in Fargo and a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Mayville (N.D.) State University.