North Dakota Safety Council breaks ground on state-of-the-art training facility

By Kayla Prasek

The North Dakota Safety Council broke ground in October on a facility that will provide year-round safety training in Bismarck. The Hands-On Safety Training Facility will be designed to reach more people with “memorable” training to prevent injuries and deaths among North Dakotans, says Lynae Hanson, assistant executive director.

The $6 million facility is adjacent to Bismarck State College and is expected to be completed in summer 2017.

The first phase of the center includes a nearly 5,000-squarefoot hands-on training lab featuring a three-story training prop and equipment to be utilized during a variety of training courses. The facility also will incorporate distance learning, a 30-person computer lab, driving and heavy equipment simulators and mobile training units. During the second phase of construction, a dirt floor arena and community room will be added to provide training on heavy equipment and host community safety events.

Hanson says, “2012 was a rough year in North Dakota for unintentional injuries and deaths.” That year, 167 people were killed on the roads and 64 were killed while doing their jobs, in addition to thousands more injured.

“It was these ever-increasing numbers of people killed or injured that caused the North Dakota Safety Council staff and board to wonder what we could and should do differently to reverse the upward trend of deaths and injuries among those living and working in North Dakota,” Hanson says. “We realized we need to reach more people, train in a way that is more impactful, and offer higher-level training that is not currently available in North Dakota or the surrounding region. The way to achieve these three steps was to build a state-of-the-art safety training campus featuring hands-on training. We began planning, designing and fundraising in 2012.”

Hanson says the facility will be available to businesses that want to train their employees in any of the courses the Safety Council offers. The Safety Council has more than 1,000 members across the industries of construction, oil and gas, manufacturing, energy, utilities, transportation, health care and more. The facility also will be available to individuals who want to take a course in first aid/ CPR, self-protection or defensive driving. PB

Each year, Prairie Business accepts nominations for 40 Under 40. We look for individuals who have impressed in their careers and enhanced their communities. Professional achievements and community service are crucial to make this renowned and celebrated list.

This year, we received about 150 nominations and, as always, narrowing them down to only 40 was a difficult task. But it’s been done and we’re eager to announce these extraordinary people.

From all of us here at Prairie Business: Congratulations!

Andy Bartling joined Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial as a financial adviser in 2009, where he helps families and businesses gain financial security. He graduated from National American University in Rapid City in 2009 with bachelor’s degrees in accounting and business administration with an emphasis in financial management. Bartling is president of the Rapid City Young Professionals Group, president of the Black Hills Area Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, president of the South Dakota Association of Fraternal Insurance Counsellors, president of the South Dakota Fraternal Alliance, and was a member of the Rapid City Chamber of Commerce board. He won the Modern Woodmen of America Sure Start Award in 2009, was the 2010 Modern Woodmen of America Rookie of the Year, 2015 Rapid City Chamber of Commerce Young Professional of the Year, and the 2016 National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors South Dakota Young Advisor of the Year.

Andy Bartling

AGE: 30

FINANCIAL ADVISER, MODERN WOODMEN FRATERNAL FINANCIAL RAPID CITY, S.D.

Andy Bartsch

AGE: 36

PARTNER/DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, OBERMILLER NELSON ENGINEERING FARGO

Andy Bartsch has been involved in the electrical construction industry since he was 14, first as an apprentice electrician in his family’s business, followed by three years of internships while attending North Dakota State University in Fargo. Bartsch graduated from NDSU with a degree in electrical engineering in 2004. He started his career at a Fargo engineering firm before joining Obermiller Nelson Engineering in 2008, when the company was growing its electrical engineering department. Bartsch eventually became an associate, and is now a partner and leads the electrical engineering department, which has grown to a team of 21 in seven offices. In 2014, he became a certified lighting designer. In addition to volunteering with ONE, Bartsch also is the Fargo Youth Hockey Association Termites coordinator.

AGE: 30

TRAFFIC ENGINEER/OFFICE MANAGER, KLJ

WEST FARGO, N.D.

Mike Bittner is a traffic engineer and traffic planner who manages KLJ’s traffic and planning group and serves as an office manager for KLJ’s West Fargo location, leading client and business development for the 30-person office. Bittner earned a master’s degree in civil engineering from North Dakota State University in Fargo and a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. He is a professional engineer in five states, professional traffic operations engineer, professional transportation planner and International Municipal Signal Association traffic signal field technician level two. Bittner was named the 2015 Young Transportation Professional of the Year by the North Central Institute of Transportation Engineers and received the 2015 Midwestern ITE’s Rising Star Award. Bittner is nationally recognized for his work creating innovative intersection congestion reduction and safety strategies and has authored three papers and presented at more than a dozen conferences around the country on the topic. He promotes science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education through various area programs and serves on the Midwestern ITE Board of Directors.

Angela Boersma

AGE: 33

ARCHITECT, MILLS CONSTRUCTION INC. BROOKINGS, S.D.

Angela Boersma is an architect and interior designer for Mills Construction Inc. She has also taught interior design at South Dakota State University in Brookings. Boersma received her Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from SDSU and her Master of Architecture from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. She has graduated from Leadership Brookings and serves as vice chair of the Historic Preservation Committee. She also serves on the Affordable Housing Task Force, Brookings Master Planning Advisory Committee and American Institute of Architects-South Dakota Legislation Committee. Boersma also runs her own photography business, Rae Studios, in conjunction with the 308 Collective, which is a co-working studio she helped establish this past year.

Leah Brakke

AGE: 38 DIRECTOR OF NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, BLACK GOLD FARMS GRAND FORKS

Leah Brakke worked for the family company, Black Gold Farms, throughout high school and college, but decided to venture out on her own after college. She worked in marketing for AGSCO, Bremer Bank, Flint Communications and AdFarm before returning to Black Gold Farms in 2011 as the company’s marketing specialist. In 2016, she was promoted to director of new business development. Brakke graduated from North Dakota State University in Fargo with a Bachelor of Science in Business, Business Operations and Management and received her Master of Business Administration from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. She serves on The AgChat Foundation’s Board of Directors and Marketing Committee, Produce for Better Health’s Marketing and Communications Committee and the Red River Valley Potato Growers’ Marketing Committee. She is an active member of Grand Forks Calvary Lutheran Church and the Grand Forks Downtown Rotary.

Mandel Cameron

AGE: 30

PROJECT MANAGER, EAPC ARCHITECTS ENGINEERS FARGO

Mandel Cameron graduated from North Dakota State University in Fargo with her bachelor’s degree in environmental design in 2009 and her Master of Architecture in 2010. She joined EAPC in 2015 as a project manager and is working on her architecture registration exams. Cameron is a member of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, the Fargo Moorhead Visual Artists board, and an artist member of The Arts Partnership. She also volunteers with the Lake Region Arts Council as a mentor for a young artist who is an aspiring artist and architect, and created an outdoor mural in Moorhead, Minn., in summer 2016, a project supported by grant funding.

DJ Campbell

AGE: 36 ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES MANAGER, EMC INSURANCE COS. BISMARCK, N.D.

DJ Campbell is the administrative services manager for the EMC Bismarck branch. He serves in a leadership role, managing the branch’s human resources, accounting, purchasing, information technology and facilities functions. Campbell previously worked as director of operations for an independent hospitality franchise, managing 15 units throughout North Dakota. He is a member of the Bismarck-Mandan Young Professionals Network and Central Dakota Human Resources Association, is president of Mandan Dollars for Scholars, serves in a leadership role in his church and was recently elected to the Make-A-Wish North Dakota Board of Directors.

Jeffrey Cooley

AGE: 32 CEO, CIVIL DESIGN INC. BROOKINGS, S.D.

Jeffrey Cooley graduated from South Dakota State University in Brookings with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and became a professional engineer in 2012. He started his career as a project engineer before becoming a principal engineer and CEO of Civil Design Inc. He serves on the Boys & Girls Club of Brookings Advisory Council and mentors students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. Cooley also serves on the Board of Young Professionals with the Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce and is a member of several professional and technical societies.

Heather Cymbaluk joined Companions for Children as executive director in 2013, where she has grown the organization significantly. She graduated from Minot State University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Management Information Systems and from the University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D., with a Master of Business Administration with an executive and health care focus. Cymbaluk is involved with the Minot Chamber of Commerce, where she sits on the Ambassadors Committee, Minot Alliance of Nonprofits, Minot Optimists Club and Minot Grant Writers Roundtable, and volunteers with iCan Bike.

Heather Cymbaluk

AGE: 27

Catherine Dekkenga

AGE: 38

ARCHITECT, ARCHITECTURE INC.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.

Rachel Harris

AGE: 36

PROJECT ARCHITECT, EAPC ARCHITECTS ENGINEERS GRAND FORKS

CHIEF

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, COMPANIONS FOR CHILDREN MINOT,

Catherine Dekkenga graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Iowa State University in Ames in 2004 and her Master of Architecture from ISU in 2009. She then moved home to Sioux Falls to start her architectural career at the firm her father started in 1976. In 2015, she became a registered architect. Dekkenga is a member of Rotary International, is an executive board member of the Sioux Falls Education Foundation, is the chair of the Citizen Advisory Committee for the Urbanized Development Commission of the Southeastern Council of Governments, is a member of the Board of Trustees at Central Church and is a seventh grade girls youth group leader.

AGE: 39

CREDIT OFFICER,

CHOICE FINANCIAL GROUP LANGDON, N.D.

Following completion of his Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics, Greg Goodman started his career at AgCountry Farm Credit Services. In 2002, he joined Choice Financial Group as a business banking officer at the bank’s Langdon location and worked his way up to president of the location and chief credit officer in 2008. His duties changed to full-time chief credit officer in 2013. Goodman is also a member of the executive management team, senior management committee, asset liability committee and enterprise risk committee for Choice. He is an instructor of Choice’s internal education and orientation program called Choice University. Goodman serves on the North Dakota Bankers Association Services Board, the Cavalier County Memorial Hospital Foundation and United Lutheran Church Council. He is a graduate of North Dakota State University in Fargo and the Dakota School of Banking. He also operates his family’s fifth-generation farm near Milton, N.D., and coaches youth football.

Rachel Harris graduated from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Psychology in 2002, and then worked as a flight attendant. Her travels led her to pursue a career in architecture. Harris graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with her Master of Architecture in 2011 and joined EAPC. In 2016, Harris became a licensed architect after taking the seven licensure exams in seven months. Harris is serving her second term on the board for Red River Valley Habitat for Humanity, where she is the chair of the building committee. She also is serving her second term as a board member and treasurer of the North Dakota chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council. Harris is an active member of the Alley Alive team and has been involved with the Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals and The Chamber of Grand Forks-East Grand Forks, attending its leadership programs.

N.D.

Kayce Halley

AGE: 33 PARTNER, EIDE BAILLY FARGO

Kayce Halley has more than 11 years of public accounting experience working at Eide Bailly. Throughout that time, she has risen through the ranks and is now a partner in the firm’s Fargo office. Most recently, she has helped advise and serve clients with tax needs through the office’s newest service offering, The Possibilities Center, which helps small to mid-sized businesses and entrepreneurial startups. Halley received her Bachelor of Accountancy from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks and has pursued professional education through Dale Carnegie and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Leadership Academy. She holds the certified public accountant designation and is a member of the AICPA and the North Dakota Society of Certified Public Accountants. She volunteers as a United Way of Cass Clay campaign cabinet member.

Darcie Johnson joined Midwest Fire as vice president and office manager in 2013, where she is responsible for overseeing accounting, finance, information technology, human resources, sales and project management. Before joining Midwest Fire, she spent more than 10 years working as a staff accountant for Luverne Truck Equipment Inc. in Brandon, S.D. Johnson graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Colorado Technical University in Sioux Falls, S.D., in 2002 and with her Master of Business Administration from CTU in 2015. Johnson organizes the company’s fundraiser activities for Kids Against Hunger, hosted each year by Rock County Ministerial Association. She is an active member of Beaver Valley Lutheran Church in Valley Springs, S.D., where she served as treasurer and council member, and has served on the education committee for the past four years, organizing the Sunday school and vacation bible school programs.

Darcie Johnson

AGE: 36

VICE PRESIDENT/OFFICE MANAGER, MIDWEST FIRE EQUIPMENT & REPAIR CO. LUVERNE, MINN.

Dan Hicks

AGE: 31

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE AGENT, PROPERTY RESOURCES GROUP; OWNER, HOMEDESIGN AND SUPPLY FARGO

Dan Hicks moved to Fargo to study mechanical engineering at North Dakota State University. While at NDSU, he worked construction and started his own company, Homestead Handyman Service, to pay his way through college. While in college, Hicks earned his real estate license and started selling real estate at Town and Country Realty, where he started and managed the commercial real estate and property management departments. In 2013, he joined Property Resources Group, where he is one of the company’s top producers, and is one of the top commercial real estate listing agents in the Fargo area. At the same time, Hicks started GreenCell Recycling, a cell phone and electronics recycling company, which he eventually sold, and HomeDesign and Supply, which has grown from his basement to its own 18,000-square-foot facility.

AGE: 36

CONTROLLER, BANK OF NORTH DAKOTA BISMARCK, N.D.

After completing his accounting degree at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, Jason Johnson began his career as a certified public accountant in Minneapolis with Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP, an international accounting firm. Since then, he returned to North Dakota and worked as an auditor manager for Eide Bailly LLP, and at Starion Financial, where he served as chief financial officer. In 2013, he accepted a position as asset liability manager with Bank of North Dakota and was promoted to controller in 2015. Johnson also is a member of the bank’s investment and funds management committees. He participates in the Emerging Leaders Program through Independent Community Banks of North Dakota and is a graduate of The Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Bismarck-Mandan program. Johnson is involved with the North Dakota Society of CPAs and United Way’s Day of Caring, coaches youth soccer and basketball and volunteers in a school-based father involvement program at a local elementary school.

Cole Keney

AGE: 34 RELATIONSHIP MANAGER, ALERUS FARGO

Cole Keney started working for Alerus as a parttime employee in 2003 while he attended college. Since then, he has continued his career with Alerus, accepting a newly created position as deposit new business developer in 2006 before being promoted to relationship manager in 2008. Keney is one of the youngest relationship managers at Alerus and also one of the top performers, managing complex client relationships. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead. Keney is on the Board of Directors for the North Central Chapter of the Risk Management Association, is a member of the Fargo-Moorhead AM Rotary Club, is a past member of the Board of Directors for Rebuilding Together and a past ambassador for the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce.

Eric Jendro

AGE: 38

VICE PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, WIDSETH SMITH NOLTING BAXTER, MINN.

Eric Jendro joined Widseth Smith Nolting in 2002 after receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Minnesota State University, Mankato. As the firm’s director of mechanical engineering, Jendro oversees a team of six engineers and technicians. He is a LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Accredited Professional. Jendro is a volunteer coach for the Brainerd Amateur Hockey Association.

Michelle Killoran

AGE: 37

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, SCHEELS FARGO

Michelle Killoran started her career at Scheels as a senior at Concordia College and worked her way up to her current role as chief financial officer. She was the second woman to ever be named to the Scheels Executive Committee and has spearheaded a women’s leadership group within Scheels to encourage women to hone their leadership skills. Killoran has served as the United Way Cass-Clay annual campaign chair and finance committee chair. She is on the Sanford Health Fargo Board, volunteers with Junior Achievement and North Dakota State University, was named the YWCA Woman of the Year in the business category, and co-chaired the March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction this past fall.

Kurt Lysne

AGE: 33

WATER RESOURCES GROUP LEADER, MOORE ENGINEERING INC.

WEST FARGO, N.D.

Kurt Lysne graduated from North Dakota State University in Fargo in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and joined Moore Engineering as a water resources engineer. Today, he is the group leader of the company’s water resources department, supervising about 20 engineers and technicians. He is a registered professional engineer in Minnesota and North Dakota and is registered as a certified floodplain manager with the Association of State Floodplain Managers. Lysne is the most recent recipient of both the FM Engineers Club and the North Dakota Society of Professional Engineers Young Engineer of the Year awards. Lysne is a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers, Association of State Dam Safety Officials, FM Engineers Club and volunteers with Triumph Lutheran Church, Salvation Army and Meals on Wheels.