CONGRATULATIONS DEIDRE!

Above andBeyond

Congratulationstoour very own DeidreBeck, EITonbeinga 40 Under 40 honoree!Bringingout thebes t in ever yone she work swith, Deidre goes aboveandbeyondinevery thing shedoe s. We are proudtohave her on our team!

Heather Leas

Age: 35

Director of Health, Safety, and Public Relations

West Fargo Public Schools

West Fargo, N.D.

Heather Leas serves West Fargo Public Schools as the director of health, safety, and public relations. The diversity of her portfolios means that no day is ever boring, which is why she’s been a proud #districtofchoice staff member since 2007!

She leads and coordinates the district’s emergency preparedness efforts, including oversight of the school resource officer and nursing teams; serving as the district’s PIO; managing software, hardware, and programs that support safe learning and working environments for staff and students; and facilitating annual drills, exercises, and trainings.

Her department consistently uses communication strategy, media relations, and community partnerships to keep the stakeholders of the fastest growing district in North Dakota informed. Since March 2019, Leas has also served as the district’s pandemic response coordinator.

Leas holds a bachelor’s degree in professional communications from Valley City State University, as well as multiple certifications related to school safety and public information, including the distinction as the only individual in the state to have completed the Master PIO course through FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute.

Jill Nelson

Age: 39 Director of Operations & Community Relations

Grand Forks Park District

Grand Forks, N.D.

Jarda

Solc

Age: 37 Civil Practice Leader

AE2S

Grand Forks, N.D.

Jarda Solc’s 15-year career in the engineering industry includes a wide variety of civil engineering projects. A proud University of North Dakota grad, Solc joined AE2S 10 years ago and was quickly promoted to the civil practice leader position in his early thirties.

As the civil practice leader, he manages the firm’s civil workload across the Midwest, leading the team of passionate engineers in solving infrastructure challenges in innovative ways and presenting sustainable solutions.

Solc is a registered professional engineer in the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Colorado. He’s also a member of the American Public Works Association (APWA) and the North Dakota Society of Professional Engineers (NDSPE).

Solc and his wife, Tabitha, have four children and have also opened their home to foster children. In addition, he has made a positive impact on Grand Forks by volunteering for the Special Olympics, and coaching and mentoring kids in both soccer and hockey.

Originally from the Czech Republic, Solc and his family love to travel to his native country to visit his relatives each year.

Jill Nelson is not your typical leader. From launching the first golf course drone delivery service in the U.S. to building award-winning, life-enhancing facilities, Nelson has been behind some truly amazing projects.

As the director of Operations & Community Relations for the Grand Forks Park District, Nelson oversees everything from fundraising to cultural programming, and marketing to golf courses. Her positive, innovative leadership style and collaborative approach is the key to Nelson’s ability to make a lasting impact within her community. Through her philanthropic work, she helped build ICON Sports Center, Choice Health & Fitness, Scheels Sports Complex, and more. Nelson is currently raising funds for a fallen-officer police memorial, children’s museum, and destination playground.

As a seasoned broadcaster, she can also be found in front of the camera, co-hosting radio shows, and public speaking. Nelson is passionate about volunteering and serves on boards like the Public Arts Commission and Public Health Coalitions.

Nelson attributes her success to the support of her husband John, their two daughters, and to the inspiring community of Grand Forks.

Dr.

A native of Scranton, ND, Dr. Ranum attended college at Jamestown College in ND and finished at North Dakota State University, Fargo, where he received his bachelor of science degree. He received his medical degree from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine, Grand Forks and did his internship through Altru Health in Grand Forks, ND and completed his Internal Medicine residency at a Grand Rapids Medical Education Partners in Michigan.

Jon Rentz

Age: 36

Senior Business Advisor

Alerus

Grand Forks, N.D.

Jon Rentz’s agriculture and commercial clients trust him to help guide their business’ financial wellbeing, and he takes that responsibility seriously. During the pandemic, his proactive outreach to clients helped many secure Paycheck Protection Program loans and other pandemic-specific lending, ensuring they could stay afloat during uncertain times.

As a senior business advisor, Rentz generates new business opportunities and manages significant client portfolios in lending, deposits, retirement plans, and wealth management. He is the primary contact for his clients and collaborates with specialists across Alerus as needed to provide his clients with holistic financial services.

Rentz holds bachelor’s degrees in accounting and managerial finance/corporate accounting from the University of North Dakota. He is a graduate of the Grand Forks Area Chamber of Commerce leadership program and currently serves on the agribusiness committee. He is a long-time volunteer for Junior Achievement and contributes his financial expertise to his church, where he is past treasurer of the finance committee and current member of the foundation committee.

He and his wife, Bethany, live in Grand Forks.

Josh Ranum

Age: 39

Physician, Internal Medicine

West River Health Services

Hettinger, N.D.

Josh Herbold

Age: 38 Vice President, Business Banking Team Lead Bremer Bank

Fargo, N.D.

Josh Herbold has been with Bremer Bank since 2007 and is currently Business Banking Team Lead in the Fargo-Moorhead market. He knows the important role business plays in our communities’ growth, and he understands the unique challenges business owners face.

Herbold and his team provide solid financial guidance and innovative solutions to be a valuable and strategic partner. By working in sync with external and internal partners, he can help to identify financial risks and opportunities. Herbold has the experience, organizational resources and tools necessary to help individuals, families, and businesses establish and meet their financial goals.

Before assuming his current role, Herbold served as business banker and credit analyst with Bremer. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from North Dakota State University.

He is a volunteer with Make-A-Wish North Dakota, Junior Achievement, United Way, West Fargo Exchange Club, and Habitat for Humanity. A Fargo native, Herbold is married with two kids and enjoys golfing, hunting and camping.

A native of Scranton, Pa., Dr. Joshua Ranum returned to Hettinger in 2012 after completing his internal medicine residency. It didn’t take him long to become fully engaged with a comprehensive rural medicine practice, his local community, and medical leadership.

A vibrant rural community requires engaged volunteers, and Dr. Ranum has served on multiple boards including those of West River Health Services, Adams County Development Corp., and the Hettinger United Methodist Church. He is the volunteer medical director for three ambulance services, is a football official, and plays in the local Cowboy Band.

Involvement in the broader medical community also started early in his career. He was a member of the state trauma committee and has ascended the leadership ladder of the North Dakota Medical Association, recently being elected its president.

As the pandemic hit the state, Dr. Ranum quickly became a familiar face. He has given numerous media interviews and serves as an advisor to the Health Department and Governor’s office on the coronavirus response.

Ranum lives with his wife, Dr. Carrie Ranum, and three daughters.

Julianne Horntvedt

Age: 35

Executive Director continued on page 34

ND State Council on Developmental Disability Bismarck, N.D.

Julianne Horntvedt is the executive director of the North Dakota State Council on Developmental Disabilities, which supports community inclusion and promotes health, wellbeing, job opportunities and self-advocacy of individuals with developmental disabilities.

Under her leadership, the council drafted and testified on the Supported Decision-making bill that North Dakota lawmakers passed in 2019, which offers an alternative to guardianship.

Horntvedt is serving her second term as chair of the North Dakota Disabilities Advocacy Consortium and is treasurer of the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities. She is also a member of the state’s Olmstead Commission, which supports in-home and community-based support services for people with disabilities.

She participates in the BisMan Mentor Squad and has been matched with the same individual for eight years. She also volunteers with the Junior Achievement program in local schools and the Community Action Backpack for Kids program, and is a past vice president of the North Dakota Breastfeeding Coalition.

Horntvedt enjoys boating on the Missouri River with her husband and their two sons, and she teaches part-time at a fitness studio.