An Excellent Starting Point

In the month I’ve been editor of Prairie Business, I’ve learned the region’s professionals hold their breath to find out if they, their friends, bosses, coworkers or their nominees will make the 40 Under 40 list each December. It’s a distinction taken seriously, a point of pride, and the timing of my new role at the magazine allowed me to play a part in the selection process. It’s a great place for me to start.

Evaluating the 160 nominations that came in this year illustrated in detail the trends, industries, sectors and people Prairie Business serves and supports. This final 40 is a list of people who exemplify success, driven by passion and ambition. Some are health care workers, some are architects, engineers, human resources managers, company presidents or CEOs. But they all have in common the ability to inspire us to do more for the betterment of our careers, our communities and our region. Congratulations to all of this year’s honorees and best of luck as you continue to set and obtain new goals.

While 40 Under 40 is a staple of this edition, we also cover some ongoing and important projects in research, health care, construction, architecture and other industries. The Construction Corner this month features the years-long redesign of the Sioux Falls (S.D.) Regional Airport. Enlargement of the security checkpoint, set for completion in September, marks the final facet of the facelift. Staff Writer Kayla Prasek goes into detail about the individual projects and what might be planned down the road.

In Prairie News, you’ll learn about research at the University of North Dakota’s Energy & Environmental Research Center that will result in biodegradable, eco-friendly drilling fluids. They’ll be made from crop oil feedstocks in North Dakota and used in the state’s oilfields. North Dakota has the resources for production and the market for use.

Sources for the article were quick and careful to point out that the common fluids with a diesel component aren’t harmful when used properly, but a renewable solution is still intriguing. Read the full story to find out more and hear what the principal researcher has to say about his current passion project.

I’m proud to present this issue of Prairie Business, not only because it’s one of the most-read throughout the year, but also because it’s the first one I helped produce. You’ll see some changes, but the fundamentals are the same. I’m happy to be on board at this magazine and eager to work with the people and companies in the broad business industry. I look forward to the teamwork, collaboration and dedication that has been such a huge part of the relationship Prairie Business has with its readers, advertisers and contributors. We’ll do great things.

KORRIE WENZEL, Publisher

LISA GIBSON, Editor

KAYLA PRASEK, Staff Writer

BETH BOHLMAN, Circulation Manager

KRIS WOLFF, Layout Design, Ad Design

Sales Director: JOHN FETSCH

701.212.1026 jfetsch@prairiebizmag.com

Sales: BRAD BOYD western ND/western SD 800.641.0683 bboyd@prairiebizmag.com

NICHOLE ERTMAN eastern ND/western MN 800. 477.6572 ext. 1162 nertman@prairiebizmag.com

Prairie Business magazine is published monthly by the Grand Forks Herald and Forum Communications Company with offices at 375 2nd Avenue North, Grand Forks, ND 58203. Qualifying subscriptions are available free of charge. Back issue quantities are limited and subject to availability ($2/copy prepaid). The opinions of writers featured in Prairie Business are their own. Unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, artwork are encouraged but will not be returned without a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Subscriptions Free subscriptions are available online to qualified requestors at www.prairiebizmag.com

Address corrections

Prairie Business magazine

PO Box 6008

Grand Forks, ND 58206-6008

Beth Bohlman: bbohlman@prairiebizmag.com

Online www.prairiebizmag.com