AS TRONG TEAM TO SERVE YO UB ETTER.

No matterwhatyoursizeorindustry, VaalerInsurance cancreate acustomized risk management programthatallows youtoconcentrateonyourbusiness.

Nicholas Flom

AGE: 39

Executive Director

NORTHERN PLAINS UAS TEST SITE GRAND FORKS, ND

Nicholas Flom is the Executive Director for the Northern Plains UAS Test Site. Nicholas was hired by the UAS Test Site in 2014 and has been the Executive Director since 2016. In addition to overseeing the UAS Test Site, Nicholas is also charged with executing the FAA’s UAS Integration Pilot Program as North Dakota was selected as 1 of 10 participants in May of 2018.

Nicholas was appointed by North Dakota’s Governor Doug Burgum to co-chair the state’s UAS Detection/Counter UAS Task Force in 2017. In May of 2019, the state of North Dakota greenlighted the creation of a Statewide UAS Network supporting UAS flights beyond visual line of sight. The Test Site, with Nicholas at the lead, is administering this $28 million statewide network.

Nicholas has over 15 years in the aviation industry holds an Airline Transport Pilot certificate for single and multi-engine land with more than 4,000 flight hours.

Nick Shirek

AGE: 30 GENERAL SALES MANAGER RYDELL AUTO CENTER GRAND FORKS, ND

Nick Shirek started with Rydells in 2010 as a sales consultant. He was promoted to General Sales Manager in the Spring of 2016. Shirek says he enjoys working with Rydell’s amazing staff every day and takes great pride in watching others grow and succeed. He has a very supportive and passionate wife Jessie, who owns Hudsun Wellness Center in Grand Forks and they are blessed with two amazing boys, Hudson (4) and Camden (1).

Perry Olson

AGE: 38

Business Development Specialist

FIRST INTERNATIONAL BANK & TRUST MINOT, ND

Perry Olson has been with First International Bank & Trust for five years working as a Business Development Specialist. He holds a Sociology degree from Minot State University and before that graduated from Our Redeemer’s Christian High School in Minot. Before his time at First International Bank & Trust, Perry worked in broadcasting at Reiten Television Inc. as an anchor/producer for the CBS affiliate’s morning news program.

His entire time in the banking industry has been with First International Bank & Trust, where he has worked to drive new business and better care for existing customers. Perry also serves as a Minot Park Board Commissioner, is a member of the Minot Area Community Foundation Board of Directors, and as a Director for the Souris Valley United Way.

While not working, Perry enjoys officiating college and high school basketball and football and spending time with his wife Melissa and their three children.

Rachel Kmecik

As the Director of Human Resources for True North Equipment, Rachel Kmecik has dedicated herself to the employees of True North Equipment for almost 11 years. There is nothing more gratifying then adding new people to the team, and welcoming them to True North Equipment. Since 2009, True North Equipment has helped her stay connected to the Ag Industry; which she is very passionate about after growing up on a family farm near Tabor, Minn., where her family still farms today.

Rachel completed her undergrad at the University of North Dakota and graduated with her MBA from the University of Mary in 2006. She is also a Certified Professional in Human Resources, and a Society of Human Resource Management Certified Professional.

Rachel is involved in her local SHRM chapter, and has served as a board member, she also volunteers at the Grand Forks Senior Center as a meals on wheels volunteer. Rachel and her husband, Seth, live in Grand Forks with their daughter.

Rick Beall

PRESIDENT/CEO

Rick Beall is a born and bred North Dakotan as well as community banker. Born in legendary football country, Velva, N.D., he is the fourth generation to work for their 100% family-owned bank, Peoples State Bank of Velva. The bank is currently celebrating its 104th year of doing all things community. If you can name a position in the bank, he has held it. From janitor, snow remover, proof operator, teller to his current position of President/CEO. He has been with the bank for over 18 years. For a few short years after college, he used his face for radio and anchored sports broadcasts in North Dakota and in Dallas. He had the opportunity to work with and write for HOF sports announcer Pat Summerall. He is a graduate of Concordia College as well as The Graduate School of Banking at The University of Colorado. He has served as past Chairman of the Independent Community Banks of North Dakota and currently sits on national committees for Intendent Community Bankers of America. He and his wife Ashley have three kids (ages 9, 6 and 2) and reside in Minot, N.D., where both of them are heavily involved in and around their community.

I currently am the Director of IT Services at Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota where I oversee IT Infrastructure, Service Management, and Operations. I joined BCBSND in 2004 as an Intern in IT and have progressed through various roles throughout IT.

In 2017 I was selected to be a part of a small team of leaders chosen to help lead BCBSND through their Business Transformation initiative. It was during this time that I was able to build new relationships and obtain a deep understanding of BCBSND’s business operations, allowing me to help the BCBSND complete its transformation initiative on-time.

Outside of work, I was the vice president of the local interest group for the North Dakota itSMF, where we brought local companies together to discuss IT Service Management. I’m also an avid baker; it brings me joy when you can bake not to seek attention or out-do others, but when you just want to share the food with people who you believe will appreciate it.

AGE: 38

STRUCTURAL DEPARTMENT MANAGER

EAPC FARGO, ND

As EAPC’s Structural Department Manager, Sam is responsible for leading, designing, and managing numerous structural engineering projects, some of which have exceeded $100M in construction. Sam is one of EAPC’s newest Partners and demonstrates continuous professional growth and leadership abilities for the firm and to the structural engineering team.

Sam is a respected member of the engineering industry. He helped write the North Dakota portion of the FE exam for the North Dakota State Board of Registration for PELS. Sam’s projects have received major awards in the state and he was one of five individuals recognized as a Rising Star in Structural Engineering and by Civil + Structural Engineer Magazine in 2015.

Sam is an active member of the National Society of Professional Engineers and the North Dakota Society of Professional Engineers. In 2014 he received the NDSPE Young Engineer of the Year award at the Chapter and State levels. He has been the NDSPE Chapter 3 Treasurer, served on the Engineers Week Committee, and put in many hours volunteering in his community.

Sarah Getzlaff

AGE: 38

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER SECURITY FIRST BANK OF NORTH DAKOTA BISMARCK, ND

Sarah is a third generation community banker, who started her career as a Teller with Security First Bank when her dad woke her up one morning when she was 14 and said, “get dressed, we need you at the bank.” She obtained an accounting degree, became a CPA and worked in public accounting before returning to the bank in 2007. She was promoted to CEO in 2018.

She’s active with the Independent Community Bankers Association. Locally, she’s on the board and nationally, she helps with lobbying and is Vice Chair of its Housing Finance Committee. She was recently appointed to the FDIC’s Advisory Committee on Community Banking and is also on the Board of Trustees for the ND Bankers Benefit Trust and the BSC Foundation. She and her husband, Tyler, have three children – Caiden, Carter and Piper – who are active in hockey, basketball and football. When they aren’t running kids to practice, they head to Lake Metigoshe.

Sarah has 15 years of experience working within human resources and serves as the Human Resources Director for Banner Associates, Inc. In addition, Sarah works as a Consultant with Alternative HRD. Sarah has been commended numerous times for her dedication to HR and her passion for making a positive impact in her community. In 2019, Sarah spearheaded the development of a 10-week summer program for middle-school students, called the Brookings Youth Leadership Academy. After a successful first year, Sarah asked for support from Governor Kristi Noem. Noem signed a proclamation designating the week of August 11-17, 2019 as South Dakota Youth Leadership Week. This statewide initiative recognized the importance of young people and the need for all communities to work together in preparing those young people for future leadership. The initiative also encouraged the mentoring of young people to strengthen our communities both today and for the future.

AGE: 36

HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR BANNER ASSOCIATES, INC. BROOKINGS, SD

TECHNICAL

–

AGE: 32

Scott is a Technical Manager with Ulteig Engineers in its Transmission and Distribution Department in Sioux Falls, S.D. Scott is responsible for leading a time of 10 engineers and technicians located across four different offices in the Midwest. In addition, Scott is responsible for leading project teams, quality reviews, and has client leadership responsibilities. Scott has over 10 years of experience working both for and with electric utility companies performing engineering, design, and project management for 69 to 345kV electric transmission line projects. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in five states. Scott holds a bachelor’s degree from South Dakota State University in Civil Engineering and a MBA from University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Scott is married to his wife, Amber, and has two children, Henry (5), and Oliver (4).

Tara Engquist

AGE: 36 PARTNER

EIDE BAILLY LLP ABERDEEN, SD

Tara is originally from Oakes, N.D., before going to Northern State University in Aberdeen, S.D. Tara graduated from NSU with a bachelor’s degree in Professional Accounting in 2006. After college, Tara began her career with Eide Bailly, LLP in Aberdeen, where she was promoted to an Audit Partner in May of 2017. Tara has more than 13 years in public accounting with experience in a variety of industries. She has provided public accounting services to a diverse clientele, including governmental entities, nonprofit organizations, employee benefit plans, local small businesses and many others. Tara is a member of the AICPA and the South Dakota CPA Society as well as other Firm committees.

Tara resides in Aberdeen and in her spare time enjoys spending time with family and playing volleyball. She also participates in the local Relay For Life in Aberdeen.

Taya Spelhaug

AGE: 37

TECHSPARK MANAGER MICROSOFT FARGO, ND

Taya is the Microsoft TechSpark Manager for North Dakota. Her primary focus is to build out Microsoft Philanthropies’ initiative, TechSpark, which is a civic program aimed at fostering greater economic opportunity and job creation through partnerships with rural and smaller metropolitan communities across the US and to expand the great synergies between the company and community. Before her role at Microsoft she was the Resource Development Manager for the United Way of

Cass-Clay and in various roles at North Dakota State College of Science for over seven years. She serves on several local and state boards including the Fargo Downtown Community Partnership board, the State Workforce Development Council for ND and TechND to name a few. Taya grew up on a farm outside of Kindred, N.D. She attended North Dakota State University and graduated with a BS in Psychology and a MS in Mental Health Counseling. She currently lives in West Fargo.

Taylor Daniel

AGE: 25

COMMERCIAL REALTOR® DANIEL COMPANIES BISMARCK, ND

Taylor Daniel, a Bismarck native, earned his ND Real Estate license in 2014 and joined Daniel Companies as a commercial Realtor® in 2015. Taylor graduated from NDSU College of Business with a degree in marketing. He has also participated in the ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers) Global Retail Real Estate meetings in Las Vegas the past five years, and has completed the ICSC University of Shopping Centers education program at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Taylor is currently a candidate for the CCIM designation, the highest designation obtainable, which would place him among the most distinguished professionals in the Commercial Real Estate Industry. Taylor is very proud to serve on the Downtowner’s Board of Directors, and the Downtown Bismarck Partnership. Taylor is also currently enrolled in the Leadership Bismarck-Mandan class of 2020. Taylor finds passion and purpose through his work by having an impact and advocating for great talent attraction and retention, understanding what that means to a community from a quality of life and economic development standpoint.

Thomas Hill

AGE: 37 VICE PRESIDENT COMMUNITY IMPACT UNITED WAY OF CASS-CLAY FARGO, ND

Thomas Hill is originally from Bismarck, N.D., and graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead in May of 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and Spanish. Prior to his time at United Way of Cass-Clay (UWCC) he served four years in the United States Army and Army National Guard where he was stationed in Korea and deployed to Bosnia as part of a NATO peacekeeping demining mission. Thomas has been part of the United Way team since September of 2008. In his current role as the Vice President Community Impact he leads organizational efforts to develop the external investment strategy for United Way in addressing its BOLD community goals. In his free time and when the weather cooperates, he enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, camping and kayaking with his wife Linny, son Shepherd, daughter Vera, and dog, Agnes.

Wendy Van Duyne is a project manager and landscape architect at Stantec, a global design firm with offices in Bismarck and Fargo, N.D. With more than 13 years of professional experience, Wendy has led multi-disciplinary teams and is known for her ability to seamlessly coordinate with clients on a diverse range of projects. She is sought after for her innovative approaches to facilitating community engagement and meaningful stakeholder involvement. Wendy also focuses on identifying business development opportunities throughout the Upper Midwest and her leadership is evident in her current position at Stantec among her colleagues, in the AEC industry, and in her community. In addition to her professional duties, Wendy currently volunteers on several local community boards and commissions including: the Bismarck-Mandan Junior Achievement Advisory Board, the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber EDC Board of Directors, the Missouri-Valley YMCA Board of Directors and the Bismarck Planning and Zoning Commission.

AGE: 37

Atchison Companies is an investment & holding company owned by the Sarah & Dean Atchison family. Based on the Upper Plains, we are focused on investing in, leading & growing lower middle market businesses. We make long-term investments in companies that show potential for solid growth. We understand small business, we are not a private equity firm, our focus is on long-term growth through value creation and we build cultures of excellence.

218.303.5151

Dean@AtchCos.com

By Matthew Mohr