Business news briefs and accolades from around the region

By Prairie Business

HEI projects recognized with national awards

GRAND FORKS, N.D. • Houston Engineering Inc. (HEI) worked on three projects that were recently recognized with awards from the American Council of Engineering Companies of North Dakota: the North Dakota State Mill and Elevator Expansion project, the Pembina County Drain 66 GIS Database project, and the Walsh County Drain 22 Improvements project.

The company said it is proud of its employees for their great work on these award-winning projects.

North Dakota State Mill and Elevator Expansion Project –Transportation Category

HEI constructed about 16,000 feet of new track, allowing the Mill to land trains roughly twice as large as before as well as store cars on its own tracks, saving on demurrage costs. In addition, this project made numerous non-rail improvements in the area to help offset some of the inconveniences of having new rail crossings. This included restoring 27th Avenue North and a new box culvert on English Coulee. This brought the roadway back into use after years of being out of service due to the previous crossing’s poor conditions.

Pembina County Drain 66 GIS Database –Building/Technology Systems Category

Monitoring infrastructure in the Pembina County Water Resource District (PCWRD) was once a tedious and slow task. This changed when the PCWRD retained HEI to create a GIS database into which data could be logged remotely and immediately from the field.

The PCWRD put this new tool to use on Drain 66, completing a significant inventory of the many culverts and other pieces of infrastructure along the drain. The PCWRD will be able to not only inventory and update records about its infrastructure more quickly than before but also have a more robust set of data that can help inform future decisions and projects.

Walsh County Drain 22 Improvements –Water Resources Category

Drain 22 in Walsh County (which is really three separate laterals that outlet directly into the Red River) exhibited significant head cutting and erosion at its outlets. This was partly due to the steep grade of the laterals. Landowners petitioned the Walsh County Water Resource District to undertake a set of improvements to fix these issues.

The District and HEI worked together to identify solutions that would resolve the issues landowners were experiencing. This included installing riprap at the outlets to prevent erosion, completing a clean out project for two of the laterals, and widening the third lateral to accommodate greater flows. All in all, HEI surveyed and designed four miles of drain for this project.

Apex Engineering Group celebrates 10-year anniversary

FARGO, N.D. • Apex Engineering Group, a civil engineering firm specializing in water, transportation, municipal, and electrical services, celebrated its 10-year anniversary in November.

Apex was founded in 2010 by a group of entrepreneurial engineers and technicians with a long history in the engineering consulting business. In 10 years, the company has grown from 22 employees in two offices to more than 90 professionals and four offices in Bismarck, Fargo and Dickinson, N.D., and Detroit Lakes, Minn.

JLG Architects named to national architecture list

GRAND FORKS, N.D. • JLG Architects has been named No. 101 on the Architectural Record Top 300 Firms list, which ranks architecture, architecture/engineering, and architecture/engineering/construction firms headquartered in the United States by revenue.

JLG is an employee-owned, full-service architecture firm, founded in 1989. The firm today has grown to 12 offices in Minnesota, South Dakota, and North Dakota with more than 120 employees.

JLG was No. 104 in 2019, and has been consistently on the list since 2014.

SkySkopes named top drone service provider in the country

GRAND FORKS, N.D. • SkySkopes, a drone company based in Grand Forks, N.D., was named this fall the top drone service provider in the country by market analyst, Drone Industry Insights. It also has been named one of the best globally.

SkySkopes, which focuses on utility line inspection and data collection, was recognized out of 750 global drone companies for its size, growth, industry development and market share.

Matt Dunlevy, company owner, is an occasional guest writer for Prairie Business, informing readers about the drone industry. In recent columns he wrote about how unmanned aircraft can help during the global pandemic and the ways in which oil companies can benefit from drone use in the Bakken.

North Dakota is home to the Northern Plains UAS Test Site, one of seven Federal Aviation Administration unmanned aircraft systems test sites.

Mandan plans third Business Pitch Challenge

MANDAN, N.D. • Entries are now being accepted for Mandan’s third Business Pitch Challenge to be held March 24, 2021. The entry deadline is Jan. 28.

Major prizes for the winner include the chance to be eligible for a $10,000 forgivable loan from the Mandan Growth Fund plus $750 in cash. Competition rules, format information, selection criteria and a full list of prizes are posted at www.cityofmandan.com/businesspitch.

The Mandan Tomorrow — Economic Opportunity and Prosperity Committee is hosting the challenge to spark new ideas and encourage business start-ups and expansions in Mandan. The challenge is being conducted with assistance from the city of Mandan Business Development, the Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC and CTB. Organizers are looking for aspiring entrepreneurs who could use a boost on their entrepreneurial journey.

UMN Crookston receives $1.35 million in upgrades

CROOKSTON, Minn. • The University of Minnesota Crookston received $1.35 million of High Education Asset Preservation and Replacement (HEAPR) funding in a capital investment bonding bill signed by Gov. Tim Walz. The bonding bill includes $38.5 million worth of HEAPR improvements to the University of Minnesota system campuses, research and outreach centers and field stations.

UMN Crookston will utilize the funding for electrical and water main infrastructure upgrades on campus, exterior facade upgrades, fire suppression and code upgrades to Owen Hall. The commitment by Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, the state legislature, and the University of Minnesota to UMN Crookston will make a lasting impact and improve iconic campus buildings so they can be available for future generations.

HEAPR funding is available to maximize the effectiveness and life of the University of Minnesota’s 29 million square feet of infrastructure. The University of Minnesota allocates HEAPR funding in four categories: health, safety and accessibility; building systems; utility infrastructure; and energy efficiency.

International Peace Garden raises nearly $15,000 through virtual event

DUNSEITH, N.D. • The International Peace Garden, during its Virtual Gala in the Garden event this past fall, raised nearly $15,000.

The IPG planned the Virtual Gala in the Garden with hopes of lifting up members and attendees during what has been a difficult year for many. The event included empowering messages of peace and togetherness from Nadine Strossen, author and former president of the ACLU. Nadine shared how free speech can fight hate and promote peace. The message was resounding, particularly as the event was held on the Global Day of Peace.

More than 100 registered bidders from multiple states and provinces in the United States and Canada, collectively, made more than 550 bids on nearly 50 items, which included travel, unique experiences, handcrafted goods, gift baskets and more.

mark Millage reid vander Veen

Two join Furniture Mart USA

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. • Reid Vander Veen and Mark Millage have recently joined the corporate team at Furniture Mart USA, the nation’s 35th largest furniture retailer based in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Vander Veen will serve as the new director of marketing, leading the team responsible for driving sales across all media platforms on behalf of Furniture Mart USA’s four divisions: Furniture Mart, Ashley HomeStore, Unclaimed Freight, and Carpet One. Vander Veen comes with an impressive background in sales and marketing across a wide range of industries including agriculture, home goods, technology, and education. He holds a master’s degree in marketing, and teaches graduate-level marketing and sales courses at the University of Sioux Falls.

Millage is taking on a new position as director of community relations. He is responsible for forging new relationships within local retail communities, executing media engagement strategies, and leading philanthropic efforts to support charitable causes across the upper Midwest. Millage most recently served as vice president for Institutional Advancement at Dakota State University, where he led its foundation and marketing/communications. He is a past president of Kilian Community College and former news director at KELO-TV in Sioux Falls.

DCN hires new commercial account executive

FARGO, N.D. • DCN (Dakota Carrier Network) has hired Valerie Schwantes as commercial account executive for its Fargo office. In this role, she serves as the main point of contact for current and prospective business customers, providing customized solutions in the areas of networking, ethernet, dedicated internet, data center/co-location, hosting services, cloud services, cybersecurity, and disaster recovery and backup.

Schwantes has 13 years of telecommunications experience determining how to best serve her customers. Her experience includes extensive work with commercial and multi-dwelling unit accounts.

A Fargo native, she earned a bachelor’s degree from North Dakota State University and is a graduate of the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program.

Alerus welcomes senior financial guide

Chris ellefson

Valerie schwantes

FARGO, N.D. • Alerus welcomes Chris Ellefson as senior financial guide. In this role, he is responsible for assisting clients in identifying their specific financial needs and providing comprehensive advice to help them achieve their financial wellness goals.

Ellefson works closely with experts across Alerus to ensure every client has access to its full suite of diversified services to meet their needs. He is based at Alerus’ office at 3137 32nd Ave., Fargo, N.D.

Ellefson has more than six years of financial industry experience, specializing in client service. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from North Dakota State University and lives in Fargo. He is actively involved in his church and contributes his musical talents to contemporary worship bands.

David Sogge

Emily Gruber

Two join ICON Architectural Group

GRAND FORKS, N.D. • David Sogge and Emily Gruber have joined the team at ICON Architectural Group. Sogge is a project manager at the firm’s West Fargo office and Gruber is a marketing coordinator at the Grand Forks office.

With more than 20 years of architectural and project management experience, Sogge brings great design expertise in the retail and hospitality industries. He is originally from Northwood, N.D., and graduated from Montana State University in Bozeman with a Master of Architecture degree. He spent many years in the Las Vegas area, collaborating with architectural firms across the country.

Gruber is originally from Big Lake, Minn. and graduated from the University of Minnesota Crookston with a Bachelor of Science in Communication. She has spent the last two years in the Grand Forks area working in the marketing field.

KLJ welcomes new market manager

MINNEAPOLIS • With a diverse project delivery background, KLJ Engineering is proud to welcome Ben Dzioba as its newest market manager, overseeing Alternative Delivery and Contractor Services. An expert in design-build methodology and alternative contracting, he will fulfill a critical role in the company by providing unique and integrated solutions for clients.

Dzioba is a registered Project Management Professional (PMP), Professional Engineer (PE) and Design-Build Professional, which recognizes his superior knowledge of risk, cost, schedule, resource, scope, and communication management, and his ability to effectively implement these processes in multiple project delivery methodologies. His experience includes design, critical path method scheduling, change documentation, environmental compliance, public information coordination, and construction management.

Dzioba’s leverages his experience with strategic planning, quality management and project management to deliver successful outcomes for his clients. As a future-focused individual, he is always looking for new technologies and processes to incorporate into his projects.