BANK

Fargo, N.D. • Jeff Thomas is a leader in the business community who has come from working in banking for 35 years as well as being a successful business owner in the Fargo community. He is CEO and president of Cornerstone Bank, Fargo, North Dakota, and has hired and mentored many bankers and leaders during his career. Thomas has an incredible industry knowledge and is often looked to by others for his input and advice.

Thomas encourages his Cornerstone team to get involved, volunteer and to give back.

He embodies the Cornerstone Bank values, which include valuing their role as neighbors and contributors.

Thomas previously led the start-up of Starion Bank in the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo (FMWF) market upon joining that organization in 2008. He joined Cornerstone in 2013 after serving as vice president of Starion. Thomas worked as regional retail banking president for Wells Fargo Bank, overseeing North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota, while also serving as market president for Fargo-Moorhead and West Fargo.

Thomas earned a Bachelor of Science degree in banking and finance from the University of North Dakota and is an honors graduate of the American Banking Assocation’s Stonier Graduate School of Banking.

He serves on the board of directors for the YMCA of Cass Clay, the board of Resonate, the North Dakota Development Board and serves on the FMWF Chamber Flood Task Force and Military Af- fairs Committee.

MSA United Way Board of Directors, Blazer contributed to the establishment of a permanent emergency homeless shelter which now provides year-round food, shelter, safety and services to the most vulnerable members of the community.

Her volunteer service in the legal field includes the State Bar Association of North Dakota, where she worked to improve the fairness, credibility and professionalism of the state’s legal system and those working in it. Starting in 1996, she served as a member of the State Pattern Jury Instructions Commission and was chairperson from 1999-2000. In 2008, Blazer was appointed to Inquiry Committee West and served as chair from 20132014. She served on the Joint Committee on Attorney Standards in 2014-2016 and in that capacity reviewed the American Bar Association Report on the lawyer discipline system within North Dakota. Blazer has also served on the North Dakota Supreme Court Disciplinary Board from 2014-2020, serving as chair from 2018-2020. Her extensive volunteer leadership roles have helped to elevate the professionalism in the practice of law across the state and will have a lasting impact on the State Bar Association of North Dakota.

Blazer has inspired those in her orbit to elevate their personal and professional contributions to selflessly serve the greater good.

With three grown sons and six grandchildren, she enjoys spending time with family, reading and traveling. She’s also an avid angler and a member of the Whopper Club.

This profile was compiled by Prairie Business staff, based on nomination forms and biographical information provided by the winner’s company.

Thomas’ roles and leadership expertise make him an asset to his community. The various roles in which he has served have given him an expansive knowledge base about the financial industry, which has developed his career over time.

Jeff Thomas

In addition to his profession, he gives of his time to community organizations, including United Way and Chamber of Commerce boards. Thomas has spent many years as a hockey coach, giving back to a sport he loves. His volunteer work includes the Diabetes Association and Special Olympics.

Thomas has had involvement in the financing of many economically beneficial projects in his community, and even opened a successful bar in south Fargo, creating a place where neighbors can gather and build community.

Thomas and his wife, Sue, have six children and two grandchildren.

This profile was compiled by Prairie Business staff, based on nomination forms and biographical information provided by the winner’s company.

FOUNDER, CHAIRMAN AND FORMER CEO, MUTH ELECTRIC

Mitchell, S.D. • Dick Muth is the founder and chairman of the board of Mitchell, South Dakota-based Muth Electric. As a young man in Ethan, South Dakota, Muth enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served two years, with one of those years served in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. After returning home, he enrolled in the electrical construction and maintenance program at Mitchell Technical Institute in Mitchell. This sparked his dream of owning his own business.

He and his wife, Darlene, were a motivated young couple with a determined work ethic and an entrepreneurial spirit. What began as an electrical contracting company in nearby Ethan, South Dakota, with two employees has grown over the past 53 years into the Midwest’s premiere electrical contracting company, with nine locations and over 500 employees.

Muth credits most of his success to great employees. From the beginning, his theory was to hire the best people, treat them well, get out of the way and let them do their job. He believes superior customer service is also an important component of a successful business.

Under Dick Muth’s leadership, the company’s scope of work has evolved into large commercial and industrial work including hospitals, water and wastewater treatment facilities, wind energy, correctional facilities, airport runway lighting, roadway lighting, motel complexes, industrial plants, military facilities, school, medical clinics, office buildings and major retail stores.

The goal of the company has never changed – to provide electrical services to all customers in a safe, timely and professional manner. Following Muth’s leadership, a team of employees carries out that mission when serving their customers.

Over the years, Muth has accomplished many professional achievements, including sitting as a member on numerous professional boards. He has been named South Dakota Electrical Man of the Year, was honored with Prairie Family Business of the Year, has served on the South Dakota Electrical Commission and was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame. Muth is passionate about serving his community by supporting economic development, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Honor Flights and other veteran organizations, such as the American Legion. He is a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Mitchell Rotary Club, and Lions Club.

Dick and Darlene are both very involved members of the Catholic church and have been members of the Catholic Foundation of Eastern South Dakota board for more than 30 years. The two are also legacy donors and proud supporters of Mitchell Technical College.

A recent community support effort by Muth Electric was donating more than $28,000 earlier this year for a new scoreboard at Drake Field, a baseball field in Mitchell.

“We just think Mitchell baseball is a pretty neat deal,” Muth told the Mitchell Republic newspaper in April. “We just want to help the community when we can, especially when it’s something that we’re passionate about.”

Muth loves the outdoors, hunting and fishing. He is a dedicated Christian, business owner and family man of four children, 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

This profile was compiled by Prairie Business staff, based on nomination forms and biographical information provided by the winner’s company.

PRIVATE WEALTH ADVISER AND CEO, LEGACY FINANCIAL PARTNERS

Bismarck, N.D.

• Since the start of his leadership at Legacy Financial Partners, Joel Bird’s focus has been on mentoring and facilitating employee and organizational development, as well as creating an extraordinary internal office culture. Under his guidance, LFP continues to track 20% annual growth in assets under management during the 10 years since its founding.

their financial goals is the greatest reward,” Bird said. Within the community, he shares his passion for fostering financial literacy in a number of areas, including educating youth on financial decisions through the Junior Achievement program, lecturing to UND students and providing educational materials and events for his clients.

Bird has been instrumental in the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber, Bismarck-Mandan Leadership program, Century High School student finance curriculum and the Western Dakota Estate Planning Council. He champions youth-focused programs including YMCA, Bismarck Parks and Recreation, Good Shepherd Church, Century Sports Boosters and Jump Start Real World Camp.

Joel Bird

A graduate of the University of North Dakota with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, Bird has led LFP to be ranked in the top 100 private wealth management teams in the nation by Barron’s for the past three years, improving in ranking each time. Bird has been recognized individually by Barron’s as one of the top 1,200 advisers nationwide since 2018 and as Forbes’ Best In State financial adviser in North Dakota since 2020. He has also been selected as an Ameriprise Chairman’s Advisory Council member annually since 2018 and has earned the Ameriprise Client Experience award.

“While these are exciting honors, helping my clients achieve

Bird is mindful of how being involved with charitable and civic organizations impacts the LFP team and is driven to provide staff and clients with opportunities to volunteer and participate in donation drives throughout the year.

Bird and his wife, Jennifer, have four children – Skylar, Gabriella, Lylianah and Oliver – and two grandchildren, Isla and Jay. This profile was compiled by Prairie Business staff, based on nomination forms and biographical information provided by the winner’s company.

PRESIDENT/CEO, NORIDIAN HEALTHCARE SOLUTIONS LLC

Fargo, N.D. • Jon Bogenreif is committed to helping people in the region achieve their potential. He grew up in Kent, Minnesota, attended Breckenridge High School and went on to earn a business administration degree from the University of North Dakota.